by Sally Matheny
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| Surely they served with our children in mind. |
From the Revolutionary War to the latest war on terrorism, our service members have fought to protect our freedom and way of life.
Many hoped that what they were doing would provide a better life for the next generation.
Many hoped that what they were doing would provide a better life for the next generation.
Not only do I want to express my appreciation, but also I want to remind veterans why our children still need you.
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We recently attended our first Veterans Day Parade. A chilly breeze blew the little, American flags we brought as we eagerly waited for the parade to begin. Alternating the hand in the coat pocket with the hand holding the flag, we tried to stay warm.
When the parade began I quickly realized I did not come prepared.
The cold air wasn't what jolted me. It was the row upon row of fresh-faced students of the JROTC represented by various branches of the armed services. I’ve never seen so many at one time. The image reminded me this could be the next generation to defend our country and the freedom of our children.
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| This could be our next generation of freedom fighters. |
Then, I noticed the mentors marching beside their students. They are retired veterans of the military.
Thank you, mentors, for investing your time and skills into the next generation. Our teens need veterans who serve and teach with honor and integrity.
After the JROTC, came an even bigger surprise. It wasn’t the awesome cars or the cool motorcycles the veterans were driving.
The faces of the veterans amazed us.
Their eyes gleamed with pride—not a pride in themselves—but in their country. Some of the veterans’ grins reminded me of how a dad grins the first time he watches his child ride a bike. Eyes glistened watching their fellow Americans lining the streets, waving flags.
Their expressions seemed to convey this thought: They get it. They love their country and freedom as much as we do. They get it.
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| The veterans were shouting, "Thank you for coming!" |
Then, the veterans went beyond their call of duty.
With outstretched hands, they shouted to the crowd.
Thank you for coming!
Thank you! Thank you!
My throat tightened. They were thanking us. We, who quite often take our freedoms for granted and who can’t possibly have a full understanding of the sacrifices many have endured on our behalf.
I could not let them pass by without shouting a thank you to them, but all I could manage was a mouthing of the words. I looked at my husband. His words were trapped as well. He was nodding his appreciation towards the veterans.
Eventually, our voices made it over the lumps in our throats and we were shouting our thank yous as we held our flags high.
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| Some veterans seem uncomfortable with all the hoop-lah. |
Some veterans seemed uncomfortable with all the hoop-lah. Nonetheless, they answered the call. Perhaps, only to represent those veterans who gave everything for their country.
One soldier, wearing a huge smile, stood up to salute to anyone who saluted him. His face messaged You’re saluting me. I want to salute you for coming.
I wish I knew the proper way to salute. Next time, I’ll be ready. Until then, all I can say is I get it. I’ll never fully grasp what you sacrificed, what you endured, what you had to do for me and my children. But I get it.
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| The veteran at the back returned the salute to those saluting him. |
The parade had a good turn-out of folks and yet, if we really knew what some of the veterans have endured and still suffer from today, I think the streets would flood with well-wishers.
I heard a veteran say once, “I wasn’t trying to be brave. I was trying to survive.”
I hear what you’re saying but I still think all those who answered the call to military duty were brave.
In wartime or peacetime, you had to be brave to go into the unknown, understanding that everything could change in an instant.
I’m blessed to know several veterans. The ones I know are humble and quiet about their service in the Armed Forces.
Veterans, people needed you at the time you served. We still need you. Our children need you.
Let me tell you why.
To a young student, history may be a bunch of facts and dates memorized for a test and nothing more.
You make history come alive. You evoke thoughts of faces and lives from the past. You show them that the names in their history books (and so many, many more not recognized in a book) are not just names. They were real people—someone’s son, husband, or dad.
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| Some endured frightening situations so our children wouldn't have to. |
When you speak to a class or volunteer at an event, our children see people serving others.
They hear about men and women, not desiring to, but willing to die for a just cause. They learn of service members sacrificing the comforts of home so America’s children can enjoy those comforts.
They listen to how some endured frightening situations so our children would not have to.
They hear about men and women, not desiring to, but willing to die for a just cause. They learn of service members sacrificing the comforts of home so America’s children can enjoy those comforts.
They listen to how some endured frightening situations so our children would not have to.
When you share your knowledge, you present an opportunity for youth to understand how the military strives to bring peace in the midst of chaos.
Veterans who volunteer for reenactments also make history come alive. It’s no longer a bunch of dates and information. Youth learn the reasons behind those battles and their expense. Perhaps the wisdom our youth gain from you will promote more peaceful negotiations in the future.
Honorable veterans, you set an example of respect for your country, a love for life and a passion for liberty.
Our children need you.
We all need you.
Thank you for what you did then and what you do today.
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