The term “Veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
That doesn’t come anywhere close to explaining it does it? A veteran is a person that one point in their life chose to write a blank check payable to the US Government payable up to their future, their goals and their life. They are the kinds of people that stand up for what they believe in, when asked why they did something their response is “because I was told and I pledge to always respect my superiors”.
They are the sort of person that believes in teams as a family, believes no matter what the cost. They will meet a total stranger someplace they have never been and be best of friends, why? Because they served. They are the kind of friend that will always have your back.
Now you ask, how can I tell by looking at someone and know if they are a veteran?
Some veterans show visible signs, a scar, a missing limb, or even a look in their eye. Other carry evidence of their dedication to their country inside – maybe a pin holding a bone together, possibly a piece of shrapnel in their leg, or the nightmares they experience when they close their eyes.
You can’t determine who is a vet by just looking at them.
They are the police officer that pulled you over for speeding that you were frustrated with – not knowing they risked their life during Operation Desert Storm ensuring the armored vehicles never ran out of fuel.
They are the angry nurse at the doctor’s office that still hasn’t gotten over being deployed for a year and seeing so many of their friends (family) lost.
They are person bagging your groceries that is moving so slow it frustrates you, not realizing that they just want their spouse back to hold them when they cry themselves to sleep each night.
They may be the person at the bar that had to much to drink and is well too loud. Did you hear them explain about when they lost their entire airborne unit but they were spared as they were thrown to the back of the plane during the crash?
They are the person that sacrificed their most vital years, their goals and aspirations – so you didn’t have to sacrifice yours. Without a veteran there would be no freedom of the press, they gave that to us. It is the veteran that allows us to have a demonstration as without them there would be no freedom of speech. It is the veteran that flies the flag high in their heart and at their home knowing that they gave up so much for the chance to have that same beautiful cloth drape their coffin.
Anytime you realize someone is a veteran, take a quick moment to thank them for their service or just say “Thank You”, as without them the world would be a completely different place.
Happy Veterans Day to all – One Veteran to another and from the entire Sierra team – Thank You for your service and all you have done for our country.
Bruce Freshwater
CEO/Owner, Sierra Experts
