Ask anyone who has served their country during times of war
about their hellish ordeal, and you’re likely to learn how it
changed their lives. Truly there is no greater sacrifice than
putting your life on the line to defend your countrymen and the
ideals of democracy. So, on this day of gratitude, recognize how a
relative few citizens of our country have fought so bravely for the
rest of us over the years and remember that every sacrifice is
significant.
Ask anyone who has served their country during times of war about their hellish ordeal, and you’re likely to learn how it changed their lives. Truly there is no greater sacrifice than putting your life on the line to defend your countrymen and the ideals of democracy. So, on this day of gratitude, recognize how a relative few citizens of our country have fought so bravely for the rest of us over the years and remember that every sacrifice is significant.
Though war dates back throughout recorded history, we find ourselves meeting at a crossroads today. The veterans of World War II are heading to their final resting place, the younger generation of Vietnam and Korean veterans are nearing or in retirement, and the youngest generation of Gulf War and Iraqi Freedom soldiers are still in battle.
Yet through all the differences between these generations, the conviction of the men and women who served during the times of trouble is exactly the same.
They are our everyday heroes and the brave souls that define patriotism throughout the ages in a dangerous world.
Now as many of our soldiers face death daily overseas, a great number of our veterans are also dying here at home. Of the 5 million U.S. soldiers who served in World War II, less than 1 million remain and their number is decreasing at a rate of more than 1,000 a day. Soon there will be no veterans left who stormed the beaches of Normandy, liberated the concentration camps or survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. The World War II generation is passing quickly, yet their contribution must always be remembered.
The Vietnam veterans have also aged, though many still remember the horrors of battling the Viet Cong that cost the lives of more than 58,000 Americans. Their stories, much like their sacrifices, are important not only in the history of our culture, but in our lives today. They must never be forgotten.
Now in Iraq, 1,156 U.S. soldiers have given their lives and the battle continues today. Each morning we wake and evening we rest, our soldiers are still fighting tirelessly overseas. They deserve our support.
Let’s remember their crucial contribution to our country and honor the bravery in which they served. From Dionicio Arevalo, who served as a MP in the Abu Ghraib prison, to M.C. “Brick” Hagins, who piloted a B-17 over Normandy on D-Day, countless soldiers from San Benito County have served under the American flag.
Whether they gave their youth, their life or their heart to defending our country, we stand in awe of all of our veterans’ sacrifices as we honor them today. And, let us not forget their selfless devotion tomorrow.
