Humanity's Heroes.

Thursday, November 11, 2010
Humanity’s Heroes. He wakes up early today. As soon as he opens his eyes he leans over to kiss his wife good morning, only to remember she’s not there. She’s a few thousand miles away, waking up today on her own too. He only has a picture of her, and their 2 small kids, to admire this morning as he gets up to start another day. It’ll be over 100 degrees today, and that’s nothing compared to what it will feel like once he gets his 100+ lbs of gear on. He’ll no doubt be shot at today. He’ll face horrible conditions today. He’ll most likely be underappreciated today. But to him, it’s nothing spectacular. It’s just another day at the office.
He wakes up early today. Seems like after all these years, he just can’t help but beat the sun up like this. The seasons are changing, so his bones and joints are pretty achy thanks to the old friend arthritis. As he opens his eyes, he rolls over to kiss his wife of a lifetime good morning, only to remember she’s not there. She’s been in heaven now for a few years. He only has a picture of her and the hope of seeing her again to keep him going now. He’s been shot at. He’s been underappreciated. He’s faced horrible conditions. But to him, it’s nothing spectacular. Serving his country was just his duty.
And so goes the life of the American soldier, whether of the past or present. Men and women are serving our nation as we speak on battlefields most of us don’t even slightly understand. They’re facing life and death realities on a daily basis. They’re putting on a uniform that bears a flag of a country they’ve pledged their willingness to die for, should the need arise. And they do it for us. For us – the people that so often forget about them and their sacrifice. They are doing it for us.
Veterans are a special breed of human. They’ve seen their battles, and survived only to relive the memories every time they see that flag waving in the breeze. I’ve got a couple of soldiers in my family. My dad is currently in the military, and I lift him up today for his willing service to my country. And my papaw served in Korea so many years ago, and he’s the veteran I spoke of above.
Call them a hero and they’ll argue with you. Tell them they’re heroic and they’ll simply say they were “just doing their job.” You see, that’s a mark of a true hero: they don’t consider themselves as such. These are great men and women. These are the best of the best, whether they served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard. These are the pride and joy of a nation that owes so much to their sacrifice. These are humanity’s heroes.
So today, Veteran’s Day, don’t miss a chance to thank a man or woman in uniform for their service. Don’t miss a chance to shake the hand of that veteran wearing that POW-MIA or veteran’s cap. Do something spectacular for them. Buy their lunch at the restaurant you see them at. Pay for their gas at the gas station you run into them at. Do something – anything – to show them how much this nation loves and cherishes them. It’s an honor to know a hero. It’s a God-given blessing to share this earth with them. And it’s our responsibility to let them know it.


That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake

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