Military service runs far and wide in my family, both blood and extended. My stepfather was in the Air Force, my Grandfather served, several of my cousins and uncles served or are serving. I was in the U.S. Navy for 9 years.
For this reason, Veterans Day has always been a day to celebrate … not for us, but for the people we know. The men and women who did *not* make it home. The friends we lost, the friends we gained, the friends who are still far, far away from home. Our comrades, our family.
Unfortunately, this is not true in many families across the nation. Today, my roommate was putting together a Veterans Day BBQ. We live in a military town, with not one but TWO air force bases within 15 minutes of us, and Navy base less than an hour away. Despite this, when she went out looking for red, white, and blue decorations to put everyone in the spirit when they walked through our doors, she was unable to find anything. She spent two hours going to four different stores, and had to dig into the oldest racks for the chintziest pieces. Through imagination and determination, she was able to pull it off with zest, and I love her all the more for it. She spent a few moments venting her frustration to me afterwards though, telling me that she was ashamed to be a part of a society that is so money-hungry that they completely skip over less popular but incredibly meaningful holidays in order to cater to the Christmas-shopping crowd. (To put her rant in perspective, she is *VERY BIG* on Christmas too - she goes all out with decorating, baking, spending hours picking out the perfect meaningful gifts, more hours wrapping said gifts, and even more hours arranging them beautifully on display under the meticulously decorated tree.)
Military members seem to get a bad rap in many parts of the country. Sometimes because outsiders think we’re just collecting an easy paycheck. Sometimes because civilians think we are a nuisance, a money-pit, a call to violence. Sometimes because non-military citizens think that the only reason anyone signs up to “serve” in the military is for the medical and educational benefits.
Anyone who has served in the military at all knows that a lot of this is true. But mostly, it is a crock of bullshit. At any given moment, we can go to war and the military can be called upon to give their LIVES to protect their fellow countrymen. They don’t ask for a whole lot in return … a safe place to come home to would be nice, though. Instead, they are often met with picket lines and protesters, angry people who do not understand what military service is all about.
I hope that today, that every day, all of you take a moment to spare a few positive thoughts and wishes to the military members all over the world. And, if you feel so inclined, join a group that POSITIVELY influences the lives of military members, such as eMOM. It takes only minimal effort for you to bring something wonderful into the lives of the men and women who have uprooted their own lives to bring safety to yours.
So thank you to everyone who has served in the U. S. Military, regardless of whether or not you want to be thanked. And thank you to everyone who has made to day about the Veterans, and not about getting a day off of work or discounts on Christmas gifts. Thank you, especially, to those of you who have lost someone special to you because they died in the line of duty or otherwise gave their lives in service to our beautiful nation.
xoxo
