Summon the Heroes...

Hard to imagine a hero in all of us.  These times are hard times; times when the balancing of our wants and needs against the cold reality of what we can provide can dim our view of the world, dull our receptiveness for inspiration or gratitude.  Reading the headlines, it is hard to imagine that there could be among the stories splashed across the daily news, a calmer, quieter background story that is inspiring and uplifting. But it's there, if you open yourself up to it.

It's hard to believe that amid the stories of unemployment, failing schools, and troubled cities that a nation could find in its citizenry magnificent young Americans, with maturity far beyond their years, who would voluntarily give their all in service to their country. But they're there, aren't they? Somehow across the generations, stretching from Paul Revere's midnight ride through our present military action overseas, that spirit of selfless service rises up in America's youth and the call is answered for good men; good women, to march into the fray. It is the spirit of the American veteran. It is the spirit of America.  These veterans are heroes - and perhaps this day, in these times, they need heroes too.

It may be that it is time to summon the heroes in all of us to honor the heroes who stand outside our camp, protect us from harm, and make safe the every day lives of every day Americans.

Veteran's Day is a day that stirs the passions of many Americans, myself included.  My dad, both my brothers - the husbands, wives, children, and parents of many beloved friends and family members all have served with honor.  So allow me to begin by thanking them.  It is near impossible to imagine that these ordinary men and women; men and women with ordinary hopes, dreams, and fears, bound themselves voluntarily to the extraordinary feat of securing our liberty.  But they do, they have. These extraordinary soldiers, marines, airmen, and sailors do just that.

Voluntarily they step from the masses to don the uniform, and tell us as a nation to "fear not, rest easy," they have first watch.  Voluntarily they put their fate into each other's hands; to stand in the breach, to run into the gun fight while others run out.  Voluntarily they go far from hearth and home so that we may breathe free.  Today and all days we should begin by saying thanks.

Thanks for giving the words in our Declaration of Independence; words that read "...we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor..." real meaning.  Hancock and others made that promise and you, our nation's veterans, have kept it - square jawed, resolute, unflinchingly you kept it.

Thanks for securing, without question or equivocation, America's promise of liberty for its future generations.

Thanks for your families; brave, dauntless, and proud. Abraham Lincoln said of our veterans that we honor them by caring for "...him who should have borne the battle, and for his widow and orphans."  This Veteran's Day, please keep close in your hearts and warm deeds the families who light the home fires, fret more personally than most can imagine, and maintain and endure.  These military families, they are courageous beyond description.


John F. Kennedy once said that "a nation reveals itself not only by the people it produces, but also by the people it honors, the people it remembers."  So today, America, reveal yourself to be a nation grateful for the ordinary heroes who keep us safe. Today, and every day, realize that of your individual political stripe, the soldier, airman, marine, or sailor cares not.  He or she cares that you are his or her countryman, a native son of the land whose liberty he is sworn to protect and are entitled to the last full measure of his or her devotion. So today, and every day, keep faith with their promise by giving thanks.  We are at war; our nation's sons, daughters, moms and dads are at this moment fighting to secure an enduring peace, a lasting security.  They, and their families, are entitled to our prayers, our respect and our gratitude, regardless of any question of politics.

And lastly, remember today that one in three Americans is either a veteran or is a family member of a veteran.  It is fitting that today we summon the heroes to honor the heroes.  Today, and every day, be a hero to those who would defend our republic. The badge of service hangs in homes in nearly every community, so remember to be respectful of their service and sacrifice.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today, and please allow me to extend my personal thanks to my two brothers, David and Patrick, and my late father Robert, for the example they set, their bravery, and their service to the United States of America.  Wherever you sit today, if you sit as a free man or woman, please remember it is the veteran, aided mightily by the support of his or her loving and devoted family, who stands watch against all challenges to that liberty.  It is politician who makes the promise, and the veteran who keeps it. 

Dennis
smalltowndad@hotmail.com