On Veterans Day 2014

Jean Sexton writes:

Veterans Day has been much on my mind recently. First, it is a holiday which seems to overlooked in the rush to get to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Second, both my father and brother served in the military.

It seems to me that many of our veterans are a bit hesitant about accepting thanks for their service. They know there are others who didn't come back or who are suffering from physical, mental, or emotional damage. Perhaps they served in an unpopular conflict or a situation that was never a "real war."

However, I respect and honor them all. What matters to me, more than anything else, is that they were willing to stand up to an enemy, whether the enemy was real, perceived, or simply a potential that was never realized. They made sacrifices of time and energy. Some made sacrifices of health. Families missed family members while they pulled duty, sometimes months at a time.

So today, take the time to thank someone you know who served. Do it while they are alive and can appreciate your thanks.

To my friends and colleagues who served, thank you. Thank you for all you have done and were willing to do.