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OK – onto tonight’s post!
You know what we, as a society, take for granted?
Freedom.
Veterans Day was over the weekend and honestly, it was like society just didn’t show up.
I saw practically zero social media posts, no specials on TV. And if it weren’t for the obnoxious furniture store Veterans Day sale commercials on my music streaming service, the day would have come and gone without so much as a blink.
I’m sorry, have we forgotten that these men and women literally put their lives on the line to protect out freedom? Have we conveniently forgotten?
Where’s the gratitude, people?!
We’re taking it for granted. The generation that is coming up has never had to live through an active, draft-the-young-boys war. Seventy years ago during WWII, 18-21 year olds were storming the beaches of Normandy facing an almost certain death. Where as, today, we have to offer “safe spaces” on college campuses to that same age group. What happened?
And sure, we’re fighting the War on Terror, but nowadays, it feels like if you even acknowledge that cause, you’re some intolerant, backwards thinking, backwoods bigot. Or even worse, a *gasp* republican.
There is a cost for our freedom.
Brave men and women have sacrificed their lives, literally, so that we have the freedom to live and go to school, safely live in our communities, Snapchat our opinions, and exercise our right to vote.
These are luxuries that, sadly, not everyone has, and we’re just oblivious to the fact that these blessings are not entitlements. Veterans fought for that freedom. And many died for it.
I remember back, after 9/11, there was so much respect for our military.
I remember in Ohio, near my hometown, there was a solider who was captured and killed in Baghdad in 2004. It was all over the world news. And people came out in droves to support his family and our military. There were bumper stickers. Flags flown from car windows supporting our POWs. We wore rubber wrist bands, a la Livestrong. The state of Ohio named a highway after him. People cared. People recognized and appreciated the incredibly selfless sacrifice that our servicemen and women make to protect our freedom.
And we have forgotten. And not only have we forgotten, but it seems as though we almost look at the military, and those who associate with it, as political deviants who are Trump supporters and are a joke.
Who do we think we are?
We should be kissing the ground they walk on.
These men and women are the backbone of our country. They’re not out there making little snarky political rants on Facebook, or jabbing at our elected officials, or complaining about the current state of Washington, or joking about moving to another nation to escape this insufferable existence we have in our country.
Why?
Because they’ve literally left their families for months at a time to serve this country and protect you and I from any and all threats.
And I, for one, am damn grateful.
Veterans Day was a poor display of gratitude, people. It was pithy at best.
It’s time we stop and give those brave men and women the standing ovation they deserve. Put aside your feelings about Trump, or guns, or our involvement in the War on Terror, or even your political affiliation, and show some freaking appreciation.
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BeautyBeyondBones 
As a 21 year veteran of the Submarine Force, Thank You for your kind words.
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Hi friend, thank you so much for your service to our country. Wow 21 years. The sacrifices you and your family have made — you are truly a hero. God bless you and yours. Hugs and love xox
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Amen sister! I love it when people tell it like it is and do so with class ❤ Congratulations on your book and all the other awesome things you have been building 😀 I am inspired! ❤
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Thank you so much Cavelle! I️ really appreciate your kind words! It really means a lot! Hugs and love xox
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Thank you. A very important post!
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Thank you John! So glad it resonated with you! Hugs and love xox
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I am a Vietnam veteran. You are right; most people have no mental or emotional connections to the military; many citizens have no idea what military service is like or for. A polite, “Thank you for your service” feels like a smarmy, condescending brush-off, disguised spit. They are just dodging support for the wars in which we served, and the government during those wars. Maybe a small committee of pacifists sat down to create a way to save face without giving real gratitude.
“I’m glad you made it back,” or “How are you now, after being in the military?,” “I hope you are well,” “Thank you for my freedom” or “Thank you for defending our country and my liberty,” something sincere. No gratitude, just ignorant, political correctness. I can hardly criticize the young; this idea of war veterans has been cultivated and passed on by the grandparents who opposed the war in Vietnam.
Maybe a tour in Afghanistan would trigger real appreciation.
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Hi Von, You are truly a hero and I️ am indebted to the incredible sacrifice you and your family have made in service to our country. You’re right, those that haven’t been will truly never know the horrors of war. So thank you from the. Bottom of my heart. Hugs and love xox
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Thank you for posting this! It seems our society is getting sicker by the day and most have forgotten (or never known) what is truly important! At least most of those who are free to spout off at the mouth over such pettiness. This reminds me of spoiled children who have never had to work for anything in their lives and are deluded with self-importance, disregard for others and a twisted view of what struggling, suffering and lack of FREEDOM truly mean.
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thank you so much Eve, I really appreciate this powerful reflection. you’re right -we need to remember those who have fought and sacrificed so that we can enjoy all of the freedoms we have today. amen!! hugs to you xo
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Thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU. God, it’s such a relief to hear someone in my age bracket acknowledge the men and women who literally LAY DOWN THEIR LIVES for the freedom we not even take for granted, but basically spit on these days.
I shudder to even admit this in today’s political climate, but I am a republican more or less (I think most people nowadays have to straddle the fence with the crazy platforms and issues that shouldn’t even BE in the government’s hands in the first place) and you’re right, it’s almost as if being patriotic or recognizing the immense sacrifices made for this all-too-often ungrateful nation is frowned upon. And I get it, republicans aren’t very popular nowadays, but honestly, patriotism and gratefulness for those who earned your freedom for you should never be a partisan feeling. This is a great post. Following your blog!
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oh gosh thank you so much Sam, I’m so glad this hit home with you. I know, we have so much to be grateful for. Yeah, the political climate these days is so hostile, and friend, I feel you on that one! Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to read! big hugs xox
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I just commented on one of your other posts about the selfishness of our society and this post is another example of that to me. Sadly, honoring our veterans should be as a-political as it gets, but our current divisive environment makes veterans nothing more than a political talking point against an opposing opinion. Unfortunately, people forget that our veterans, while in the military, follow orders, regardless of anyone’s thoughts, feelings and opinions – but not without respect to those thoughts, opinions and feelings.
If it were not for a medical condition that prevented me from joining the military, I would have gladly done the same as a brother of mine, my grandfather, a few cousins, my father-in-law, and other members of my family, as well as s cereal friends. And to top it off, I am proud of my own daughter that serves as a reservist and subject to being called to active duty.
Bottom line: Our veterans and military members are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and I pray to God to keep them all safe.
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Hey again friend! you’re so right – I pray that He keep them safe too, because they’re giving such an incredible gift of serve to you and me. and wow – thank you to all the members of your family who are serving and have served! i will definitely keep them in my prayers. Hugs and love xox
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Thank you so much for these words. My 3 brothers and I all served along with my Dad and two of my uncles, and my stepdad as well. We cover the range of conflicts from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. I remember in the 70’s, when I served, our platoon and company commanders warning us to never wear our uniforms off-base because many civilians then expressed disgust and hate toward vets after the Vietnam War. It is much nicer these days for both active duty soldiers and vets as far as the attitude toward us goes. Once more, thanks and many blessings to you.
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Thank you so much DT! and wow, thank you for the amazing service that you and your family have given our country! what a family of heroes! keeping you and your family n my prayers. hugs to you friend xox
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The attitude of entitlement is over here too. It’s far too easy to feel comfortable and feel like your deserve the world, I think it manifests itself in different ways and this is just one of them. I’m slowly getting through your posts ☺️
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I agree. Thanks for all your reading! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
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I’ve got more reading to do but I’ll get there. Love and hugs xox
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✨😁✨😁✨😁
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