Veterans Day

Can you stand against a 50-caliber bullet?
Can your skin repel white phosphorous or a nerve gas?
Can your body withstand a flamethrower, grenade or bayonet?

Those who fight our wars deserve to be recognized.
We do this every year as not to forget. Honor them as they honor us.
We give them praise as they do for us for our support.

They travel far from home, away from their families.
They travel to all corners of the Earth separated from their sweethearts, lovers, and wives.
By land, by sea, and air they journey into danger and solitude.

Dark it is. Midnight. Nothing but the insects chirping their songs.
Suddenly, roars of explosions. Men scream. Men die.
Men in holes hold their own against onslaught after onslaught.

Men come home. Some do not.
People wait, then smile and cheer.
People wait and wait then walk away. There is nothing to cheer for here.

For their valor we are alive. Our lives go on as they have.
Our children grow as they have for generations without interference from those who would take our freedom.
Our Freedom reigns supreme above those who would take it to fit their own ideals. Freedom is beyond doubt alive.