11/11/2025
To understand the military veteran, you must know :
They left home as teenagers or in their early 20s for an unknown adventure.
They loved our country enough to defend it and protect it with their own lives.
They said goodbye to friends and family and everything they knew. They learned the basics, then scattered in the wind to the far corners of the Earth.
They found new friends and family. They became brothers and sisters, regardless of color,race,or creed .
They had plenty of good times and plenty of bad times .
They didnāt get enough sleep .
They smoked and drank too much.
They picked up both good and bad habits.
They work hard and played harder .
They didnāt earn a great wage .ļæ¼
They experienced the happiness of mail calls and the sadness of missing important event events.
They didnāt know, when or even if, they would see home again.
They grew up fast, but somehow they never grew up.
They fought for our freedom, as well as the freedom of others .
Some of them saw actual combat, and some didnāt.
Some of them saw the world and some didnāt.
Some of them dealt with physical warfare, and most of them dealt with psychological warfare.
They have seen, experienced, and dealt with things that canāt fully be described or explained as not all of their sacrifices were physical.
They participated in time, honored ceremonies and rituals with each other, strengthening their bonds and camaraderie.
They counted on each other to get their job done and sometimes to survive that job.
They have dealt with victory and tragedy.
They have celebrated and mourned.
They lost a few along the way.
ļæ¼ļæ¼ļæ¼when their adventure was over, ļæ¼some of them went back home and some never came back home .
They have told amazing hilarious stories of their exploits and adventures.
They share an unspoken bond that most people donāt experience and few will understand.
They speak highly of their branch of the service and poke fun at the other branches.
They know, however, that if needed, they will be there for their brothers and sisters and stand together as one in a heartbeat.
Being a veteran is something that has to be earned, and it can never be taken away.
There is no monetary value, but at the same time, it is a priceless gift.
People see a veteran and they thank them for their service.
When they see each other, they give that little smile, knowing that they have shared and experience things that most people have not.
So, for all veterans, I commend you and thank you for all that you have done and sacrificed for our country.
Try to remember the good times and make peace with the bad times.
Share your stories.
But most importantly, stand tall and proud for you have earned the right to be called a veteran.
Today there are 464 veterans who have chosen East Lyme to make their home. ļæ¼ There are 4,600 veterans in the second district of Connecticut. ļæ¼
ļæ¼Take a moment today to think of them and thank them. Reach out to those who may be in need.
Please feel free to share this.
