Thank You to Our Veterans
These are the times that try men's souls. The Summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country, but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
Thomas Paine
His name was Adrian Bates, and each year at our Veteran's Day program he read a poem entitled "Ragged Old Flag". The poem is about the countless patriots who have fought beneath that flag because they considered it their duty and an honor. Adrian would read that poem, in his slow, drawling West Texas accent, and he would always touch the hearts of those who heard it. His words were simple and direct and moving. Adrian passed away last year - it seems that we have lost so many of our veterans in recent years. It is hard to see them go, for they truly were one of the best parts of America. They represent dignity and honor and humility and sacrifice, as well as a sense of patriotism and duty that seems to have gone out of vogue.
But, patriotism and duty have not died. Each year we have a fresh set of veterans - a fresh set of patriots. There are countless men and women who are loved and supported by their families and hometowns, who continually go off to serve their nation and who continually fight beneath that "ragged old flag" because they believe in what it stands for.
And as long as they do, Happy and thousands of other towns, big and small, will gather to honor their service. They will do so because they know freedom is not free - We all know it. For those of you who have served, we thank you and we love you. We appreciate your sacrifice and your love for us. We appreciate your sense of duty and the honorable way that you have carried out that duty.
This Veteran's Day, be sure to express your love and thanks to those who have served. They surely deserve it and it is the least we can do. And, to Adrian and all of our other men and women of valor who have gone to their reward, we miss you but we will not forget.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13-14, NIV
