On November 11th, we, as Americans, unite to honor and thank the men and women who have served and continue to serve the United States.
Our veterans have dedicated themselves to protecting our freedoms, often at significant personal cost. It’s not too much to ask that we take a moment today to reflect on their service and express our gratitude.
I wonder if people genuinely stop to think about their loved one’s service or what they may have witnessed or gone through. “Oh yeah, my neighbor is a WWII vet.” How often do most think of what "my neighbor," "my grandpa," or "my mom" did while serving our country?
Our military is voluntary, so when those who raise their right hand declare that they will honor and defend our country, they know there is a possibility that they may be deployed and must leave their homes and families behind for a time. They are willing to give up the comforts of home, country, and possibly more should they be called to do so.
Have you considered what our veterans voluntarily give up when they answer the call to serve? They give up what many of us take for granted each day.
Family Time: Many veterans miss holidays, birthdays, and daily moments with loved ones. When serving, you can’t just request a vacation day or call in sick to attend a birthday party.
Those special days can be especially hard for those deployed. One can become homesick or depressed. It is often hard to separate those feelings while working in a war-torn or conflicted place while under constant stress.
Comforts of Home: They have left the familiar comforts of their own homes for the often harsh or dangerous deployment conditions. They’ve done it willingly, as it is a part of their service, but it can still be tough on those deployed and for those at home.
Peace of Mind: Serving in volatile regions means our men and women in uniform often face constant stress and uncertainty. It is hard work and stressful to be constantly alert to any situation that may arise, often resulting in a lack of sleep, decent nutrition, and hygiene.
Health and Well-being: Veterans face both physical and mental health risks, often with long-term effects. Throughout history, our veterans have had to witness and participate in situations that most could not fathom or even do. A mental switch must be turned on to get through some of the circumstances our veterans have faced.
For some, returning home can be difficult. It isn’t so easy to flick that switch back. Circumstances endured can result in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and more.
The sacrifices and stressors affect not only our veterans. What about those on the home front? How do they keep things going while their loved ones are deployed?
For families at home, having a loved one deployed overseas, especially in war-torn areas, can bring a heavy sense of pride, fear, worry, and uncertainty. The families also sacrifice much and independently manage all the responsibilities of caring for the home and family.
Decades of service
We can look back at our veterans' service and sacrifices over the decades. The list below is just the “recent” timeframes. Think of all the conflicts before the early 1900’s that shaped this country.
American veterans have defended and protected our country in countless ways and have shaped our nation and freedoms. Whether they served during peacetime or wartime, each veteran has contributed and deserves our respect, honor, and thanks.
· World War I
· World War II
· Korean War
· Vietnam Wars
· Gulf War
· Post-9/11 conflicts
On this Veterans Day, take a moment to thank a veteran or offer a gesture of kindness. They’ve sacrificed for us—let’s honor them in return.
May God bless America and those who serve her.
Veteran's crisis hotline: 988, then press 1 or text 838255
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