How do you 'thank' a soldier? Someone that has given up their lives as they would have liked to have lived it, someone who has put 'Country' before themselves and their families, someone who has offered to die to secure a better and safer life for their fellow countrymen?
Do you hold parades, do you give them a medal or maybe a street or day named after them? All are nice gestures; all are a nice show of appreciation, but hardly worth the sacrifice that this person has made.
They have given up their lives as they knew it, given up jobs, been separated from families, put themselves in harms way for the safety of their fellow soldiers and Countrymen and women and they deserve a lot more. To my estimation there is never enough, there are not words enough and definitely not time enough to show enough appreciation.
This person has become a hero to many; maybe it was the family that he helped to get out of harms way, or the food he gave to a starving child or the bullet that he took to save a buddy.
They are all 'hero's for many different reasons.
What does this 'hero' look like? Hero's come in all races, sexes, shapes and sizes, dark hair, light hair, tall, short and half way in-between. To me, a hero in the service of the military of the United States of America is any person that agrees to go to war, a person that stands up for the rights and privileges of other people and the security and freedom of their own country. He or she has strength of character, courage and puts the welfare and security of others in a primary position. This is a soldier, a hero, a person to who you can count on in all aspects of life.
We have soldiers from many different wars that have done just that, put themselves out there to protect and serve, to keep us safe from harm. Some are not with us any more, but there is an extra star in the sky because of them, some are still here and to them I say 'THANK YOU'!
It is a small thank you, from only one person, it is not nearly enough, but it is filled with love, admiration, fondness, spirit and pride. It is all I have to give you, a sentiment, but one that is in my heart and I (like many people) thank you every time I look at a flag, say the Pledge of Allegiance and pray.
Thank you 'Unknown Soldiers', may you be blessed and secure in the knowledge that your Country cares and thanks you.
Jan Hayner is a Professional Organizer, daughter of a World War 11 Vet, wife of a Vietnam Vet and a proud citizen of the United States. She is the creator of Easy Home Organizing at http://www.organizingyourlifetheeasyway.com |
