The timing of this column did not allow for a salute to our military on Veterans Day, but I am a believer in saying thank you, so I will not allow the vagaries of a calendar to get in the way.
We live in a nation that is seriously divided. he results of our most recent elections certainly reflect that, with just over 2 percent of the vote between winner and loser. It seems that our political divisions run deeper each day, but I have always believed that good people can come together for a higher purpose in spite of political differences, and our men and women in uniform are the most extraordinary example of that.
As a mother, I have always been profoundly grateful that there is a fighting force ready and willing to place themselves between danger and my children. It is an overwhelming sensation to recognize that complete strangers get up every day ready to die for you if called upon to do so. That is what separates them from us: the willingness to lay themselves down in our defense.
There are over 1.4 million Americans serving active duty today and another 1.4 million-plus in the Reserves. My gratitude and admiration for those Americans is unparalleled. There is something in the hearts of these men and women warriors that is tougher and more determined than ours. They feel a love of God, country and family that is deeper and more determined than ours. While most of us would step in front of a bullet for our own children, these people do it for each one of us. They wake up every day and go about their business as if they are just ordinary folks, while coursing through their veins is liquid courage and hidden beneath their shirt is the heart of a hero.
They are our sons and daughters, our husbands and wives, our parents and grandparents. According to one source, over 1.5 million Americans have died in military conflicts since the Revolutionary War. That is an extraordinary sacrifice made by men and women who believed they were defending freedom, securing a better future for the children of their day, joining in a higher more noble purpose than one man.
When it comes to the necessity of war, we will never be in full agreement. But I would hope – and I do believe that among my broad circle of friends that this is true – that we can be fully united in caring for and honoring those who have served and assuring, always, that every single American soldier gets the support, the service and the gratitude they have so courageously earned.
Kathy Peterson
12:53 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Well written, Jennifer.
We all stand with you completely in honoring, thanking and caring about our Veterans. Happy to say MooreMart's 50,000 care package was shipped this weekend out of Nashua. May God protect them and bring them all home soon and safely. And no more undeclared by Congress US participation in any war! We need to build a full care VA hospital in NH and care for all those who have served and are silently suffering.
Peace ~ Kathy Peterson
Billnh
2:44 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Vagaries ? Cut it out.
Charles Hatch
6:33 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Please... Spare us the Malarkey ...
Veteran benefit processing with the VA.
Homeless Veterans.
Republicans block Jobs bill for veterans.
Reggie
6:41 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Obama is just as good helping the victims of Hurricane Sandy as he is with our Veterans. Stop the democrat denial of incompetence.
Charles Hatch
6:53 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Ask Governor Chris Christy from NJ or Michael Bloomberg
from NY.... The head of the Utility company has stepped down... Pres. elect will be visiting New York today.
" Get the facts first, then distort them "
Mark Twain
rick barasso
9:43 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
How two faced could 1 politician be? How does 1 say to support our veterans. While at the same time supporting a cowardly family like the Romney's. Oh I apologize, 2 faced and Republican would be redundant.
Dennis Taylor
7:48 am on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
We need to end the forced pre-draft registration with Selective Service of our youth. Our constitution forbids "involuntary service," and what are wars fought overseas but opportunities to demand such service. Youths and Elders who will not fight to protect the homeland of the United States do not deserve to live here. However, the last time anyone with an army attacked the US was in 1812. (Of course, our highly paid air force could not stop 4 hijacked planes in 2001, but, can stop a little plane from entering his majesty's air space in Palm City, Fl.)
Proud Conservative
8:25 am on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
There's nothing wrong with Selective Service registration. The registration process doesn't force anyone to serve in the armed forces. We have an all volunteer military and it seems to be working just fine. With more and more reliance on technology it doesn't seem likely that we will ever need to implement the draft again.
Dennis Taylor
7:03 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
PC: If there is no intent to ever force any of our youth into the armed forces, why do we bother with the Selective Service registration? An all volunteer army should be all a free republic ever needs to meet its legitimate self-defense needs. Having a list of who will be involuntarily forced to serve should therefore not ever be needed. The registration process does not force anyone to "serve," but it should be unconstitutional for any youth to ever be pressed into service. Our people will volunteer to fight wars of actual self-defense. Eradicating each and every hint of a draft should help restrain our "leaders" when they find themselves out of diplomatic options.
Proud Conservative
10:52 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Registration is there if we ever need to call on citizens to serve. It's a guarantee of sorts that we will not be short of troops if the need arises. Since we cannot predict the future, it's better to be prepared than to be caught unprepared to defend the country. Will citizens voluntarily respond to an attack on our country? Some will. Some won't. And I wouldn't be so sure that the number voluntarily responding would be adequate.