Growing up in a Military Town I have always had an appreciation of the Military and their service. When the first Gulf War started and half of Jacksonville’s population seemed to disappear, I realized that it wasn’t just the local restaurants that were empty… but the homes of many of my friends and neighbors. Sure the kids were there, and maybe one parent… but another parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt or uncle was overseas fighting for the freedom of another land, and fighting to protect our liberty here at home.
I never really knew what happened on base. I traveled to the PX or bowling alley with friends and watched the fireworks on the 4th of July. I heard the guns go off many nights, and watched the helicopters fly overhead. But Camp Lejeune was another world to me then. It still is today.
I don’t know what its like to sign up to protect our nation with the distinct knowledge that one day your life may be on the line. I don’t know what its like to suit up, ship out and do the difficult things necessary to keep our country free. I don’t know what its like to be away from your family for months at a time, never knowing if you will see your children or wife again. I can’t imagine storming the beaches of Normandy, hiding in a jungle in Vietnam or avoiding IEDs in some middle eastern town.
I really don’t know what you do or all that you sacrifice, but I thank God everyday for your service and pray every night that your brethren return home.
And today we celebrate those who did come home, who did serve proudly and did make the commitment to keep us all safe. They do what they do so the rest of us never have to. So we can go on with our lives, ignorant of the true costs of freedom.
I don’t know what you do, but I know the freedom that I enjoy. On behalf of my wife and my young son, thank you for what you have done. Thank you for what you continue to do. God Bless you for your service.
Happy Veterans Day.
That was very well put and moving. I remember my daddy always going overseas, but have no idea what it was he went through.