Today is Veteran’s Day in the U.S. and, truth be told, its late in the day as I write this. By now I’ve seen – as I’m sure you have – dozens if not hundreds of tributes to the heroes who have served and sacrificed for this country. With so many of those genuine, heartfelt messages flowing through our various news and social streams its easy (too easy) to let it all become scenery – stuff we pass by on our way to somewhere else. I confess that after the first few articles I saw this morning, as the day wore on, they became less … important to me. They lost a bit of their weight. And that’s a shame. Shame on me.
My social media data tells me very clearly that it’s too late in the day to post for decent engagement. And its more than a little bit of a stretch to post something like this into this particular publication.
But I think that misses the point.
I’m here very much as a result of the sacrifice of some men and women who deserve to be honored today. And really, everyday. My dad, his brothers, their dad (my grandfather) all went to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduated, and served. I have uncles, cousins and second cousins that could fill several dozen more branches of our family tree – who all served. I come from a family that produced heroes – the real kind. I come from a family that knows what sacrifice means. And although I am the first in any of the successive generations to not have served in the military, I know what these men and women have given of themselves in order to give me (and you) the freedoms we enjoy.
Yes this short article is out of place. Yes it is ill-timed. But its also important. And needed.
I need acknowledge one person in particular today. He made it through the battles and returned to teach a couple of bratty kids what it meant to behave honorably, sacrificially. Thank you Dad for what you gave to this country. And me.
It’s still Veteran’s Day.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash.
