So today is Veterans Day.  For some, it means the inconvenience of government offices being closed, no mail and traffic interruptions due to parades.  That’s a real shame if that truly is the one and only thought they give to this day.  This “long war” against terrorism has regrettably left our country with a much wider and demographically divergent population of veterans, so I find it not plausible for most Americans to say they can’t find at least one veteran to thank.  Without intending any slight to all those who served honorably and never saw combat, I am specifically confining my use of the term “veteran” to those who have served in combat (even then, there are some drastic shades of gray in that category, but that’s a different discussion).

I grew up around many vets, including an uncle who fought in Korea and a god father uncle who fought in Vietnam, along with a laundry list of World War II vets.  These guys were an inspiration.  The examples they set of quiet courage, dedication to family, working hard and finding time to set a smile upon the face of someone who just needed a hand had massive impact on my life.  Decades and a couple combat tours later, I can only hope to be half the person I knew these men to be during those formative years of my life. So much of what I am is due to their influence.

I had my two and a half decades of opportunity to serve our country and I’m proud to say I had the honor of serving with others in her defense in combat a few times.  Giving all due credit to maturity, my strong impression now is that America is ripe for a renaissance of sorts with such a great number of young veterans (those in the 18-40 range).  Their experiences and contributions deserve all our respect, independent of your stance on the war.  It’s a key point there exists not a single member in Armed Forces anymore who was drafted.  Our young veterans volunteered and many have gone back not just once, but time and time again.  A quick check of the calendar shows that we have actually been engaged in operations for much longer than originally imagined and much longer than during World War II.  If that just gave you pause, it should.  Today’s young vet didn’t have to go, but they did.  Some have gone more times than you count on one hand.  All have voluntarily gone with knowledge of the consequences and at great deprivation to their comfort, educational plans, family stability, employment dreams and economic status.  Voluntarily…let that sink in.  Also, don’t lose sight of the fact that a minority of World War II veterans (1/3 is the most widely accepted statistic) were actually volunteers. Maybe, just maybe the accelerating decline in numbers of our Greatest Generation, sad as it is, is to be offset by the rise of a new Greatest Generation.  “Those darn kids” is a phrase that seems to have been recycled across generations.  I, for one, stand in awe of those darn kids, our youthful vets, and I salute them for voluntarily setting aside the more typical pursuits of money, education and fame for the pursuit of defending their country.

For all those who have served, thank you.  For those who have honorably faced the test of combat, I am forever in your debt.