I don't feel like a Veteran. Veterans are supposed to be heroes, at least that's how we're made to feel. I'm no hero, but I served with heroes. The Third Force Recon Company - those leathernecks are heroes. True, cut-from-Chesty-Puller's-BDUs heroes. But then, I doubt any of them would admit to it.
Maybe that's what makes a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine a hero. Doing the job, striving in the face of danger, and overcoming fear, saving the questions and remorse for later, should they come. No bragging, no boasting, just doing the job. That is heroism.
The Soldiers that stormed the beaches of Normandy, the Marines that took Tarawa, the Airborne Bastards of Bastogne, all heroes.
The men who flew the planes on that fateful mission to end Japan's hopes of victory, and their forerunners, who flew for vengeance for Pearl Harbor. Heroes. Those who survived Mogadishu, no thanks to the then President. Heroes. Those who died on United 93. Heroes. Those who live, today, memories fading, in the twilight of their lives, bullets and bombs only nightmares now. Heroes.
To those returned home from honorable service,
We offer a moment of thanks,
and wish them rich, long lives.
To those presently engaged in the business of War,
we offer a moment of thanks,
and wish them safety, and a swift homecoming.
To those who served to the last full measure of devotion,
our thanks will never be enough,
for to them, our debt can never be repaid.
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