Every Veteran Has a Story: Let’s Take Time to Listen and Thank Them

November 11th is a day to thank our veterans—young and old, man or woman.

They served for a variety of reasons: their unit, their country, their God, the protection of their family, and their / our way of life. No matter the reason, each one deserves our thanks and gestures of support.

I ask you to search them out because you will not always recognize them, even though you may see them daily.

Signs could be as simple as a proudly worn military insignia pin, a coffee cup, an attempt to wear that old goofy hat, a shirt, or a field jacket from years gone by. They have not worn anything from their military days, whether it fits or not.

Today, these veterans may be thinking of a different time or place where things were different for them in a major way. That Veteran may have a story that needs to be told. Every day is that day to listen.

Some are very old, some are young, and some are broken badly. They are all different, even distant, hungry, or maybe homeless. They may or may not tell you, but they can be a proud lot.

My point is simple… They deserve our thanks for being our veterans. OUR fighters of freedom.

Thank all of them you may encounter, if you can.

Your actions may tear many a hardened eye today, yours included.

If you do, look hard. You will see that they seem to stand just a little bit taller. They know you acknowledge THEIR sacrifice, and they are proud of doing something that was/is / and will be right for all of us.

To my veterans, known and unknown, I am proud of each of you and what you have or will do for all of us.

Thank you.

Walter Mabe (USMC)
Front Royal, VA