As I write this, I am having a hard time trying to convey my message. I have already rewrote it multiple times. There is a lot of emotion that goes into this message and I don't think I can get it out right.
Today is historically known as Veteran's Day. It is a day of honor and remembrance. It is a day of gratefulness. It is the day citizens fly their American Flag, wear their yellow ribbons and say "Thank You" to all the vets they know. But I would like tell you just how much that one little "Thank You" means to a brother/sister in arms.
When we think of our personal success in our military career, we don't forget the losses. When the flag was raised in Japan during WWII we think of how great that victory was. We see the pictures and the monument sitting in Washington D.C. What a great victory! When we placed a flag on the moon, when our troops took over Baghdad and Mosul. Our history is full of triumph. However, to that Solder,Marine,Airman,Sailor standing in front of you when you say thank you or minds are still fighting a battle. A battle that can not be won.
What you see in the Vet's eyes is a gratefulness that no one will ever take away. They are grateful to be alive. The Vet standing in front of you will more than likely say thank you, nod and move on with life. But to them you just made life that much easier. They now go through their day thinking of the sacrifice they have made and the sacrifice their families have made. Not to mention the sacrifice of their friends and their families. They are grateful to know that as they think about their time in the military--and the losses they have gone through, as they think about the families of their friends who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, they are not alone.
Their war isn't over and they are fighting it everyday. They are thinking of the families of their friends every day of their lives. So thanking a Soldier, Airman, Marine or Sailor will bring awareness that they aren't fighting it alone. We will all remember the ones that we have lost and their families.
As I write this I will not forget how many times I have looked up to see the name of a friend or someone I have known in the news paper obituaries. These men and women laid down their lives for me, and it's not just them that had to bear that cross. Please as you thank the veteran's in your life thank the families of their friends as well.
To the veterans reading this post, thank you for your service. To those who have fallen, I will always remember you and your families. In particular I would like to name two of my biggest heroes and their families. May you know that you aren't going through this allow.
Joseph D. Johnson of Mundy Twp., MI (US Army; June 16, 2010)
Joseph M. Lilly of Flint, MI (US Army; June 14, 2012)
May you rest in peace.
SMIB,
AG
