by Trent Rosser
Halloween is just around the corner. Thanksgiving is about a month away, and some stores already have the Christmas decorations out on display. This time of year the holidays seem to run together. With this year’s election, it could make the holidays even more hectic. Unfortunately, there is one holiday during this time of year that does occasionally get overlooked. Veterans Day.
In 1926, Congress passed a resolution for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans who served their country honorably during war and peacetime. Some small towns still have parades, and of course the banks will be closed, but how many of us stop to think about what these men and women sacrificed. They put themselves in danger in foreign countries to protect us from outside threats. Some came home and all was right with the world again. Some came home with permanent scars, mental and physical. Some never set foot on home again. They did not do this for glory, fame or riches. They did it for us. For you, and me. To protect our freedom, as well as freedom of others.
Some veterans we know proudly wear the uniform of the day for them. The hat stating that they served in Korea, the jacket with Vietnam on the back, Operation Desert Storm, operation Iraqi freedom. Sometimes you can only tell by the license plate on their car that shows that they are Purple Heart recipients.
We have the freedom of speech. We have elections to choose who we want in a government office. We have the freedom of the press. All of these we have are due to veterans and the sacrifices that they made for us.
So, this Veterans Day, let’s not forget about these brave men and women who gallantly served our country. Be sure to thank a veteran on Veterans Day. No, I take that back, be sure to thank a veteran on Veterans Day and every day you can.
To all the veterans, I say, "Job well done, Thank you!"
***
I originally wrote this back in October. I am proud of the Veterans that have served in the past and in the future. The reason I wanted this reprinted today is because I have a heavy heart. On Wednesday, July 25, 2017, a veteran walked up to the VA hospital in Amarillo, TX and shot himself. I cannot and will not ever publicly acknowledge a suicide, but this is different. This is a Veteran that needed help. We all know that the VA administration has been lacking (for a better choice of words) in the compassion and timely manner of getting these men and women the help that they deserve. Is it getting better? That I do not know. I can only hope and pray that it is. I will not blame the VA for what happened either. The reason is I do not know what is going on there, only what I have heard and have no reason to doubt that they are doing the best they can with the resources that they have available. My wish is that every Veteran…. No, every man and woman remember this time. We need to make a change. They put their lives on the line for us, let’s help them out. In conclusion, I will close with a saying that is on one of the bumper stickers that I have:
It takes the courage and strength of a warrior to ask for help. If you or someone you know is in an emotional crisis…. Please call 1-800-273-TALK and press 1 for Veterans.
