How Can We Say ‘Thank You’ to Veterans this Veterans Day?
Running the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington, D.C. surrounded by Veterans will change you. I was starting to get sore and tired, that was until we hit mile 13. At mile 13, we entered into what is called ‘The Blue Mile’ and every 10 yards was a poster of a fallen veteran. I turned my head and studied each photo as I ran by. My heart hurt more and more with each passing one. Each poster showed someone’s dad, son, brother, uncle, mom, daughter and sister. They no longer could feel pain; they no longer had aching muscles, or lungs burning for air like I did at the moment. My prayer was hopefully they found peace after paying the ultimate sacrifice for this great country.
I glanced up from the posters and watched a squadron of Marines running together wearing their full combat gear complete with boots, fatigues, rucksack, and even their helmet. I saw a Marine with a service dog because his leg had irreparable damage so the service dog helps with his balance. I looked at a disabled veteran racing in his wheelchair. I even marveled a lady running the whole marathon on crutches. Each one of them was running this race for their own personal reason. Some were running to pay tribute or honor someone who had served and/or currently serving in the armed forces, some were running on behalf of a charity, some were running just because they could! As I continued to run past the posters, I started to give thanks for the aches, the soreness, and most specifically the pain because for me to feel pain, means that I am still alive!
Running a full marathon (26.2 miles) may seem hard to most people, but let me ask you, is it harder than going through boot camp? Or boarding that airplane that will take you overseas to war? Is it harder than watching a fallen comrade take their last breath as the medics frantically try to save them? Is it harder than a soldier finally taking their first step in a prosthetic after stepping on an IED? A marathon is nothing compared to what our Veterans are asked to endure every day and the wounds and memories that they carry with them can leave such deep scars that many of us civilians have no comprehension and never will.
The Marine Corp Marathon embodies the true patriotism that this country stands for. We run to honor our veterans, we run to honor those currently serving, and we run to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Veterans Day has always been personal to me due to my three brothers serving in the military (Navy, Army, and Marine) but now I finally got the chance to be submersed in countless Veterans, and feel their pride swell around them as we all aimed for that goal of crossing the finish line. The climax of the day was an active-duty Marine placing our medals over our heads and saluting us. What an indescribable feeling for dairy farmers from North Dakota.
On November 11th, we celebrate Veterans Day to say ‘Thank You’ to all military that has served and are currently serving. We thank them for their decision to sign up for the military. We thank them for going to fight for our freedom. We thank them for time lost from their precious families. We thank them for the trials they bring home with them from war both physical and emotional. We thank them because they chose to defend our country’s freedom regardless of the consequences that might follow. They don’t ask for recognition or tributes. So how can we really say ‘Thank You’ to our Veterans? How about we actually start saying it whenever we see a Veteran? How about we stand-up for them? How about we donate to Veterans funds and programs? How about we even go as far to volunteer or start a foundation to help them once they have returned from war? Whatever you do, just do something! Their service is not in vain and it is up to us civilians not just to tell them, but to show them every day. For a very wise leader of this amazing country once said:
The Marine Corp Marathon embodies the true patriotism that this country stands for. We run to honor our veterans, we run to honor those currently serving, and we run to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Veterans Day has always been personal to me due to my three brothers serving in the military (Navy, Army, and Marine) but now I finally got the chance to be submersed in countless Veterans, and feel their pride swell around them as we all aimed for that goal of crossing the finish line. The climax of the day was an active-duty Marine placing our medals over our heads and saluting us. What an indescribable feeling for dairy farmers from North Dakota.
See Full Article at: http://www.dairymakessense.com/2014/11/11/can-say-thank-veterans-veterans-day/
