Veterans Day
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to tour Tomb of the Unknown Solider with my family, in a small tour group. At the last minute, a decorated soldier, an Iraq War Veteran, joined our group in his wheelchair. His war injuries were permanent. I remember thinking, “He is so young.”
The soldiers guarding the tomb immediately accepted him and took him down into their sanctioned private chamber near the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. Our tour guide told us it was a time for soldiers to express their gratitude for his sacrifice and service. Although we were not privileged to see or experience their sacred meeting, we could feel a sense of acceptance and comradery immediately between these soldiers. It seemed to go beyond a handshake and simple words of thanks. There was a deeper connection; more like the connection among brothers who understood the journey he had taken that set him on a path he would follow for the remainder of his life. He had served and he had survived the terrible injuries and now the new journey was starting. Those few moments were very memorable to me.
Years later I continue to be humbled by what I know and what I cannot know. Every day I am grateful for my veteran friends, family, and fellow Americans who served and are serving our great country. Your service and courage make our freedoms possible. You make it possible for us all to pursue our dreams and to become great leaders.
As we celebrate Veterans Day, these words seem inadequate compared to the gratitude and acceptance I witnessed that day at Arlington Cemetery, but with sincere appreciation to all military personnel who have and are serving our great country, let me say,
Thank you for your service,
Jeff
