Happy Veterans Day!
This post is to salute, celebrate and honor the veterans that are serving now and previously as well as the ones to come. Join me now as we salute the Red, White and Blue, all that it stands for and the men and women who make and have made it possible for us to live in a country of freedom.
the promise
“I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”
“I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the _____ (Military Branch) of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same
These first words are recited by all that enlist into the military as a promise to defend our country, the constitution and the rules and regulations of the military. The officers have the second similar version that they cite which is more specific to the particular branch. They are bound by these promises throughout their military careers. Most of these men and women continue to live by this code for a lifetime.
who do you know?
Most of us know personally or know of a veteran as far back as WWII. There are some that can go a little further to WWI. The complexities of each war to me are mind boggling.
How we have treated and how we view our military persons, the support (or not) of each war and the divisiveness that occurred among ourselves in some instances. Following is a little history and insight into those times. I will attempt to keep personal commentary at a minimum but understand this girl bleeds red, white and blue at ALL times for our military.
a historical timeline
Between 1917 and today our country has been directly involved in 7 major American wars. There are others that we have (and are) involved in but for this post’s purpose we will talk about the seven. https://www.gettysburgflag.com/history-of-american-wars
1914 saw the beginning of WWI. It lasted 4 years with our involvement beginning in 1917. It was referred to as “The Great War” and later as ‘the war to end all wars.’ An assassination in Austria started it and the sinking of a British oceanliner carrying over 1900 people (123 Americans) solidified our participation. In 1918 the war ended with 116,516 total deaths and a loss of innocence for the american people. Not so great a war afterall.
Twenty-one years later the second world war (WWII) began. Our involvement started in 1941 after Japanese planes knocked on our front door by bombing Pearl Harbor. Before the war ended we had lost over 400,000 military members. Women left the homes to work in factories and assisting war efforts or to simply fill the roles of their husbands serving overseas. They too, became a different kind of veteran. In 1945 the war was over and our military returned as heroes once again.
the forgotten war
In 1945 Korea started a war among themselves. North against the South. It was sometimes referred to as the forgotten war as it paled when compared to WWII and Vietnam. Our government referred to it as a conflict. We supported the south. This one lasted 3 short years with an estimated loss of 36,000 American lives. Only some of our heroes came home.
a different world
The Vietnam War lasted from 1959-1975. The U.S participated on paper in the 50’s and started showing military presence by 1961. The American people started changing during this time. Unlike the wars before this one our American pride began to waver. The draft was used for the first time since WWII. People ran from responsibility and became violent to demonstrate their desire for a peaceful existence. We became at war amongst ourselves both socially and politically. I think a lot of these people protesting forgot that they were potentially “downwind” and should have paid closer attention to Martin Niemöller https://sassaleeyours.com/as-the-world-narrows/ Sadly, our military personnel were vilified and spit upon when they returned. A shameful time in our history. Not only did we at home lose our way, we also lost over 58,000 of our military.
We went on to lend support in the Gulf war, the war in Afghanistan and Iraq between 1990 and present day with a total loss of 7,206 military lives. (Incidentally, 2,977 lives were lost on 9/11 without a military presence-but that’s another story).
the heroes
Anyone who takes that oath above is a hero. The people that are left behind to keep it all together are some of the unsung heroes.
Whether you are (or were) on the frontlines, in supply or a medical tent. We salute you one and all, big or small.
long may they wave
And here is to the gals! The WAACS, the WAVES and the WAFS. Leaving home and all that is dear to fight and represent on foreign land.
A salute to the red, white and blue. But mostly, to ALL of our military we salute you!
today’s final lesson
In today’s world we seem to be finding our way again but we still have some work to do. TV and all other types of media allow us the luxury of judging that which we don’t participate in.
It began with that first individual burning an American flag without consequence. I wonder if they comprehended the irony when in 1989 they were allowed the constitutional right to do so? We see it again every time a sports figure takes a knee rather than salute that flag representing their freedom. https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/when-the-supreme-court-ruled-to-allow-american-flag-burning#:~:text=On%20June%2021%2C%201989%2C%20a,a%20landmark%20First%20Amendment%20decision.
I would challenge everyone to step up. Teach and show by example those young minds what the American way means. The sacrifices that have been made to allow you the freedom of deciding whether you place your hand above your heart and stand for our national anthem. Remind them that they are saluting not just our country but most importantly the men and women that have fought and will fight so valiantly to allow us these freedoms.
I salute you and support you and am always,
Sassaleeyours…