On November 11th

Marine Chaplain, Father Dennis O’Brien was asked one time, “What is a Veteran?”  Here was part of his answer:  “He is a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known.”

As long as I have been around military personnel I still would never be able to offer feelings or descriptions that could possibly do justice to the word ‘service’.  My words would never be able to pay tribute to these magnificent men and women.

A father once said, reflecting on his dead son, that he came to realize the only absolutely sure thing in life is the love we can give to others.  He wrote, “May we find peace in the shared hope; that our children, who brought us such joy with their short lives, are now a host of angels, loving us still, feeling our love for them, and knowing that they are safely locked forever in our hearts."

Since WWI, more than one million veterans have been wounded while serving our nation. Many continue to receive treatment for battlefield injuries and mental trauma they suffered decades ago in battles few of us can remember, but they can never forget.

Because of their sacrifices, we are free to live, to work, and to raise our families as we please…..

We owe them.

I’m glad to report to you that our little Puerto Rican children honor the American flag, too, every morning at 7:30am. Some have to be reminded to stand and give reverence as it is so easy to forget or be unaware of what a great country our’s is.

Woodrow Wilson described the American flag as “the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation.”

America, the Land of the Free.

“No one immigrates to Cuba or jumps over the wall into East Berlin or seeks refuge in the Soviet Union” was President Regan’s assessment.

What does it symbolize for you?

Veterans, thank you for:

Your duty, your genuine love and care for the armed forces and most of all, an unwavering sense of patriotism.

Soldier's Creed:

I am an American Soldier.

I am a warrior and a member of a team.

I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and meantally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.

I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.

I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American Soldier.