THE VETERAN

Each year the nation celebrates Veteran's Day with parades, picnics and department store sales.  I would drop spare change into the collection bucket set up by the local DAV chapter as I left the grocery store with my bags full of holiday bargains.  The volunteers often sport the insignia of the units they served in during the various wars, their dog tags dulled by the years, their remaining hair silver, their once tanned skin now weathered with age.

This year the 'veteran' takes on a whole new face for me.  This year the 'veteran' is a young dark haired man just out of his teens.  He wears blue jeans and tee shirts.   He's only been in the military 2 short years and yet he's already done and seen more than most men twice his age.  He laughs freely, but there is a shadow that remains in the depth of his eyes, eyes that have seen what no man should ever have had to see.  His hands that have been trained to kill hold his son with endless tenderness.  I am the daughter of a veteran and the wife of a veteran.  I am now the mother of a veteran.  In the past I always showed my respect for the soldiers, the sailors, the airmen and marines... but I never really gave it much thought.  I never wondered what they saw, what they did, how they felt.  I was comfortably detached.  I sent a husband to war and rejoiced in his safe return.  Never did I dream that I would one day send our son to face the same enemy.

Veterans, be they young or old, tall and straight or bent with time, regardless of age, color or size, have answered the call to serve their country beyond that of the average citizen.  They have taken up arms and faced the enemy, knowing full well that each passing moment might be their last.  Many have lost friends, some right before their eyes.  Some have suffered serious injury.  Some have lost families during their absence yet still they served.    When they say 'I pledge allegiance to the flag,' they know what it means and they mean it.  They would have, and some still might, die for their country. 

 From a very grateful American, I thank you Steve, Gabriel, Daddy... and all of the Veterans.  Your patriotism is greatly appreciated, always.