11/10/2025
In honor of US Military Veterans, please read this excellent article by George Dufour:
My annual posting on reminding us all of Understanding Veterans on this upcoming Veterans Day ( Tuesday Nov. 11).
We should all take a moment to think about all veterans and what they have experienced mentally and physically and sacrificed. Many veterans have made the ultimate sacrifice, of their life. during periods of conflict to maintain our freedoms.
Many of you may not be aware but 17 to 24 veterans take their own lives by su***de each day ( based on different published reports).
We all should take the time and appreciate and understand ALL veterans and what they have gone through.
It took me years after my service, and much council from my beautiful wife to come to terms with being proud of my military service. I didn’t stand when veterans were being honored because I didn’t really think I did anything special. You see, I just focused on how much I got vs. how much I gave, but this posting below sums it up pretty well so I copied and pasted for all to appreciate. Please take the time to read.
To understand a Military Veteran you must know:
We left home as teenagers or in our early twenties for an unknown adventure.
We loved our country enough to defend it and protect it with our own lives.
We said goodbye to friends and family and everything we knew.
We learned the basics and then we scattered in the wind to the far corners of the Earth.
We found new friends and new family.
We became brothers and sisters regardless of color, race or creed.
We had plenty of good times, and plenty of bad times.
We didn’t get enough sleep.
We partied and drank too much.
We picked up both good and bad habits.
We worked hard and played harder.
We didn’t earn a great wage.
We experienced the happiness of mail call and the sadness of missing important events.
We didn’t know when, or even if, we were ever going to see home again.
We grew up fast, and yet somehow, we never grew up at all.
We fought for our freedom, as well as the freedom of others.
Some of us saw actual combat, and some of us didn’t.
Some of us saw the world, and some of us didn’t.
Some of us dealt with physical warfare, most of us dealt with psychological warfare.
We have seen and experienced and dealt with things that we can’t fully describe or explain, as not all of our sacrifices were physical.
We participated in time honored ceremonies and rituals with each other, strengthening our bonds and camaraderie.
We counted on each other to get our job done and sometimes to survive it at all.
We have dealt with victory and tragedy.
We have celebrated and mourned.
We lost a few along the way.
When our adventure was over, some of us went back home, some of us started somewhere new and some of us never came home at all.
We have told amazing and hilarious stories of our exploits and adventures.
We share an unspoken bond with each other, that most people don’t experience, and few will understand.
We speak highly of our own branch of service, and poke fun at the other branches.
We know however, that, if needed, we will be there for our brothers and sisters and stand together as one, in a heartbeat.
Being a Veteran is something that had to be earned, and it can never be taken away.
It has 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 we see each other, we give that little upwards head nod, or a slight smile, knowing that we have shared and experienced things that most people have not.
So, from myself to the rest of the veterans out there, I commend and thank you for all that you have done and sacrificed for your country.
Take some time this veterans day to “thank a veteran for their sacrifices “ and try to visit your local veterans memorials and pay respect to those who have served to maintain our freedoms.
Sent from my iPhone
