Veteran’s Day
The other day, I was visiting a memorial for fallen soldiers. I would guess that there were about 150 pictures being displayed, each with a short biography explaining the brief life of a person who left us all too early. I would guess I got to picture 20 before I had to walk away. Cards, notes, and little pieces of memories tacked around each photo reminded me that although one person was gone, the remnants of that person’s life were not forgotten, and those left behind still living were gathering and holding on to a life that disappeared too quickly. I left because my composure was on the brink of collapse and I was afraid that the tears threatening the roll down my cheeks would be contagious to the others who were at the memorial as well.
I have not lost someone to war, but to know that an 18-year-old would never experience college, walking down the aisle, or the excitement of a first job was heart-stopping. To know that there were two little girls out there who would not know what their father’s laughter sounded like pulled at every emotion. To know that a mother would no longer be able to call up her daughter and talk about daily trivial events tightened every fiber of my being.
I was consumed with the thought of- here were these people- these boys, these girls, these men, these women. They had once laughed, cried, and worried; they had once had dreams of their tomorrows; they had done the same things that I had done throughout my life and yet many of them would not do the things that I had done in my life. Rather, they had exchanged their life so I could go on living mine.
How do you ever say thank you to such an act? Just the thought of this created a mixture of pride, humility, and awe to stir within myself. I know that beyond our thoughts, we have our feelings. I know that beyond feelings, lies our heart. And I know that when this is touched, the rawest and deepest of emotions can only be felt and not explained. It is on a rare occasion we experience this. Words cannot articulate how grateful you can be to someone for sacrificing their own life for your freedom.
Take the time to thank a Veteran, remember those still here and serving, and to honor those who have given the ultimate for this country.
