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   Veteran’s Day has a special meaning to me. It is a day set aside to honor the men and women that served our country in the armed services. When the troops returned after fighting in World War I and World War II, parades were held, and the troops were hailed as heroes. When the soldiers and sailors returned during the Viet Nam era, we were scorned and ostracized. The difference was the fighters from the world wars were fighting to protect the free world and won the wars. During Viet Nam, nobody was quite sure why we were fighting, and the military was not allowed to win. The people in charge find it easy to set the rules of engagement since the bullets are not whizzing over their heads. The troops were looked at as disposable pawns in an economic battle fought with live ammunition.

   By the time the long drawn-out conflict ended, most people were thinking the whole thing was pointless. Many mistakes were made, and many lives were lost. Unfortunately, a lot of people blamed the troops for the fiasco. As a member of the armed forces during this period, I can vouch for the fact, we did not make the decisions, did not kill babies, and really did not want any part of it. When we enlisted, we thought it was a patriotic thing to do. As time went on, most people figured out we had been lied to about the purpose of the war. Becoming a civilian again came as a real shock to discover the attitude held by most of the American public. It took me about a week to figure out it was best to not mention where I had been or what I had been doing for the past four years. There are many people I knew for years that did not know I was in the service.

   Fortunately, things have changed. When our soldiers return from war, whether it is a just war or not, people again welcome them home, knowing their battles were not of their choosing. People realize we need our military to defend our national interests. We just need to be sure to elect and appoint leaders that are willing to commit the lives of our young people only to causes that are in our national interest. If a situation does call for military intervention, we need to go and win. Let the military leaders fight the war and leave the politicians out of it. Either win it and go home or stay out of the situation altogether.

   About ten years ago, my wife and I were in a social setting with a few people we had known for several years. Discussion turned to military service. A guy asked me if I had been in the military. When I answered I had, he said “Thank you for your service.” That was the first time anyone had said that to me. I choked up a bit and had to turn my face away. It meant a lot to me to know someone appreciated that I had served without being accused of killing babies.

   People can choose to celebrate Veteran’s Day any way they like. Just remember to thank a veteran. They are the people that keep our country safe, and it is not the individual service members that make the rules on how that is done.

   I thank the veterans who protect us and have given so much to their country. To me, Veteran’s Day is a personal thing. I am taking the day off and going hunting.

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