Veterans

Today is Veterans’ Day.

This is one of the occasions when many of us take time to reflect on our own service - who we were then and what it meant to be a solider. I like to go to the American Legion and listen to old warriors tell their stories and tell me they never met a “lady” paratrooper.

I once had the honor of escorting a WWII veteran during a reunion of the 82d Airborne Division. He wanted to know how many jumps I had, a common question. I gave my answer with great bravado and pride and he replied “I have 5… but they were all combat jumps.” It was 1986 and not many soldiers as young as I had ever jumped into live combat. I laughed and kissed him on the cheek and told him I was glad he was there. I never did make a combat jump. Desert Storm came and went and we declared victory and I came home safely, relatively unscathed.

It makes me think of the men and women serving in the Armed Forces today. They are dedicated, loyal, fierce, and brave. Sometimes they feel invincible. Sometimes they are afraid. They are, each and every one of them, ready, willing and able to make the ultimate sacrifice should duty require that of them. I’d rather that these fine warriors never be required to sacrifice so much.

Please thank a vet today but, more importantly, pause and, in whatever way you chose, honor tomorrow’s veterans as well. Personally, I’m praying they’ll all come home to tell stories.

Joy Shaver, SOTH UMC Prayer ministry leader