Thinking About Our Veterans


It’s not until next week, but whenever the calendar turns to November, it brings back the memories of my dad and other local Veterans preparing for our community event on Veterans Day. As a young child, I remember looking at all the shiny buttons on the dress uniforms. I recall how white gloved hands folded the flag so precisely, hearing the sharp bugle blasts, and many voices repeating the flag salute that I was just beginning to learn.

Dad took me to the Veterans Day event year after year. What I sensed as I got older was how much Veterans Day mattered to former soldiers. They cared about their country and serving the nation meant something far beyond what I could understand back then. 




At that time, my dad was working as an Air Force recruiter—even though he worked full-time elsewhere. He would drive hours to go visit young men interested in service. He liked to say, “The Air Force helped me get my start in life. If I can help someone get started, I feel every mile is worth it.”



Dad essentially had two careers—one he did to support our family, and one he did out of honor to his nation. The most memorable time in his dual career, wasn’t his promotion at work, but when he was asked to go to the Air Force Academy to receive his military promotion. I was twelve and as we walked on that military base in Colorado—the equivalent of the White House for the Air Force, I was awestruck by the seriousness of those who were so committed to serving our nation.


There’s a Bible verse in the second chapter of Isaiah, predicting a future time: “Nations will not lift up a sword against nation, and never again will they learn war.”


That time is not yet here. Until then, God only knows where any of us would be without the sacrifice of our brave military. Thank you, Veterans, you deserve respect and honor.


Top two photos used with permission from Ernst-Ulrich Schäfer


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