Entry: Veteran's Day Tuesday, November 11, 2003



I've never been in a war.

I've never had to crawl on my belly through underbrush while being shot at, hide in a trench in the dark while explosions went off around me, or been ordered to keep going when I've got nothing left to give.  I've never had to watch my friends and comrades die horribly and suddenly, killed by a faceless enemy for reasons I don't understand, in a foreign land.  I've never had to kill a man before he killed me.

Instead, I can live anywhere I choose, take any job I know how to do, or go to school anywhere I want to learn how to do something new.  I can own a car or house.  I can collect things.  I can waste my money.  I can goof off if I choose, or I can work hard to get ahead.  I can start my own business.  I can plan for the future. I can make these kinds of choices every single day.  I'm FREE.

None of this is due to any special ability or effort or skill on my part.  I didn't do anything to deserve it.  I didn't purchase it.  I owe my freedom to people I don't even know who put their lives in jeopardy every day to make sure I can stay safe and secure at home.  They don't know me, either. 

Some of them have died for me. 

How the hell do you say 'thank you' for something like THAT?
   2 comments

Ninja Cow
November 11, 2003   08:05 AM PST
 
"How the hell do you say 'thank you' for something like THAT?"

By paying taxes, of course!

Just honoring the troops on this day is enough "thanks" for'em, really. We all wish more could be done for the troops, you know? It's a shame the troops aren't honored more than once a year, though.
Hamilton
November 12, 2003   12:49 AM PST
 
Cavalier, I read your post-back on RWN... so I came here. We may not be able to thank the people who gave us our freedom 200 plus years ago, but having this day thanks us. I was given the day off, I called my family, and had some drinks in Songtan City with some of the locals here in Korea. Their freedom is only 50 years old, you should see the way some of them appreciate us. But anyway, thanks for remembering us; its good to hear.

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