Heroes Among Us

Every November 11th, our nation pauses to honor the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. We attend ceremonies, post patriotic messages online, and perhaps take a moment to thank a veteran we know personally.

But the truth is, one day a year will never be enough. Every veteran carries a story; one of courage, sacrifice, resilience, and brotherhood that deserves our respect and remembrance every day.

Veterans are those who answered a call. They stepped forward when their country needed them most. They served in war-torn lands, far from home, in conditions most of us couldn’t imagine.

Days blurred into nights as they lived under constant stress, ever alert. Whether walking patrols in desert heat, enduring the bitter cold of mountain ranges, or navigating the unseen dangers of the sea, they stood watch, 24 hours a day, so the rest of us could live freely.

Some came home. Some did not. And those who did carry with them the invisible weight of their service. Memories, both proud and painful, and those that never truly fade.

Within the ranks, an unbreakable bond forms. Soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines become family. They trust each other with their lives, laugh together in rare moments of calm, and mourn together when one of their own falls.

That camaraderie, the brotherhood and sisterhood of service, is something civilians can seldom understand but should always honor.

“The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” — General Douglas MacArthur

Each veteran carries their scars differently. Some are visible. Many are not. So as you go about your day, remember that elderly man you pass on the street wearing a faded Marine Corps ball cap?

Decades ago, he may have stormed a beach under heavy fire, watching friends beside him fall. He was fortunate to come home, but he carries the faces of his comrades with him every day.

The young woman in the grocery store wearing an Army T-shirt, overly tired and trying to calm her crying toddler? She served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, under a sun that seared both skin and spirit and sand that clung to everything. She, too, came home, but her nights are sometimes haunted by memories that refuse to rest.

These men and women are living pieces of history, reminders of what sacrifice truly means. Each one has a story, though not all are ready, or able, to share it. But when they do, listen.

Listen with gratitude and without judgment. Because when a veteran opens up, they are sharing a chapter of our nation’s story, one written in courage, fear, love, and loss.

Across generations, from World War II to today’s ongoing missions, our veterans have shown us what true dedication looks like. They’ve stood watch over democracy and freedom, not for personal gain or glory, but for the belief that some things are worth defending.

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.” — General George S. Patton

We thank them not only for their service but for their continued presence among us. Many continue to serve their communities, as teachers, nurses, firefighters, mentors, leaders, and more. They embody resilience and courage long after their uniforms are folded and tucked away.

This Veterans Day and every day after, take a moment.

Say thank you.

Shake a hand.

Buy that coffee.

Ask about their service and truly listen if they want to share.

Your words and kindness matter more than you realize. A simple acknowledgment can warm a heart that carries cold memories. A thank-you can remind them that their sacrifices are not forgotten.

Our veterans gave their youth, their strength, and often their peace of mind to protect the freedoms we hold dear. The least we can give in return is our ongoing gratitude and respect.

Let’s make sure they know that their service and their stories matter.

Not just today. But every day. Because gratitude doesn’t have an expiration date.

May God bless America and those who have or will defend her.

Kim Lengling is an author, podcast host, and coffee drinker.

www.kimlenglingauthor.com

https://www.youtube.com/@LetFearBounce