On Veteran's Day
Thanking those who sacrificed, and thoughts for the future
If you are a Veteran, please accept my sincere Thank You for the innumerable sacrifices you made when you put on our nation’s uniform. You are the reason we enjoy the blessings of liberty today, and not just here in America, but around the world.
Each year when Veteran’s Day comes I think of my father. Really specifically I think of his funeral. Like so many American men, he lost his youth in Vietnam. But while haunted by those experiences, he was never bitter about them.
When the time arrived for his funeral, the military came. Perhaps even more moving the leather clad bikers of the Patriot Guard Riders came. Lots and lots of them, despite the fact that he’d never been on a Harley in his life.
That was to me a really strong reminder that not everyone in our nation forgets about the sacrifices our Veterans have made.
But, other thoughts come to mind on this day as well. Thoughts that American lives and blood must never be wasted. That we can not ask our youth to sacrifice for anything not worthy of that sacrifice.
When the United States goes to war the cause must be just. Through its history America has fought in the cause of liberty around the world, and doing so is just. We must not ever fight in the cause of injustice.
War is called for when the cause at hand directly impacts vital interests of the United States. It is not when no vital American interest is directly threatened.
As our Founders warned, we should use care to avoid entangling alliances that could plunge our nation into war without just cause, or a threat to our interests. A lesson that should have been learned by all during World War One.
If we keep these really simple and basic principles in mind as our leaders make decisions about peace and war, our nation will not err.
But, most importantly, we must care for our Veterans. We must take care of our soldiers when they return home from the battlefield. We must care for their physical, mental, and emotional health, and we must ensure that they have the tools they need to succeed in our society.
There is no greater shame in our nation today than the fact that we have Veterans, suffering, and homeless on our streets. We owe them better, so much better.
Caring for those who have fought for our nation must be our top priority, never an afterthought.
