True Sacrifice
As I have gotten older, I have become more aware of true sacrifice. Those who have served our nation have made a huge sacrifice that we do not stop to think about. As Americans, we tend to think about the military in a more generalized way. We know that we send these men and women to war, but it is in other countries. We do not see the everyday results of this war. Even from what we see on the news, we cannot fathom what war really entails because we have never lived it. For us, war happens far, far away.
If Not for Veterans…
My perspective is much different. (Even as I type this, I have tears in my eyes thinking about it.) A few years ago, I started noticing some older men wearing caps with “Korean War Veteran” embroidered on them. It dawned on me that if it were not for these men, I probably would not be here. As I have written about before, my mother was a child in Korea during the Korean War. She lived and survived that war. She has seen firsthand what war looks like. Had it not been for the intervention of the United States of America, she would not have been able to come to the United States. She might not have even lived through the attempted communist takeover. She would not have met my father and had me and my siblings.
Do we truly understand the sacrifice of these men and women? When young men and women volunteer for our armed forces, we do not give it a second thought. No one forced them to join–they VOLUNTEER. We do not know how many lives they have saved or how they have affected countless lives. We do not know all the good they have done. Many times, they do not even realize the lives they have impacted. Most never speak of it after they return home. They sometimes come home wounded and traumatized.
These men left their homes and families to fight and possibly die for someone else, people they do not even know. They had their reasons for joining the military and most were willing to make that sacrifice, if necessary. Most did not truly know what lay ahead of them, the destruction and death of war. Yet, they went and fought.
Take time to thank a veteran.
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Amen! We have no idea what they go through to keep the worst of it all far from here. Taking the time to say thank you when we see a veteran in our daily lives is very important!
Yes, a small act for a huge sacrifice.
I just walked in our local Veterans Day Parade yesterday and Oh, the tears that were flowing down my cheeks. Beautiful timely post!!
What a wonderful way to honor them!
Wow, that is so cool that you are alive because of the U.S. intervention in the Korean War!
Yes, one of those things we don’t always realize and then it hits us.
So true! I did my therapy internship at Offutt Air Force Base and it was an honor to get to help our military members and their families in anyway I could! They go through tremendous hardship for us and our Country.
Oh, what a privilege!
Amen. We owe much to the brave men and women who gave their all for our freedom.
Yes, we do!
Thank you for this! Especially during this time of year, veterans seem to be easily forgotten. The sacrifice to be without family, along with the long hours of work, takes a toll on them in every way. Thank you for reminding readers of what true sacrifice looks like!
So true. You’re welcome.
you have honored those brave ones through this post. Taking time to think and write about them shows how pledged we are to out country too ..
Thank you.