250 Years Of America, Courtesy Of The U.S. Military

Next year, we will celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the United States, all of which was made possible and has been preserved by the U.S. Military. From 1775 to today, our military has stood ready to defend our country. Our military takes “wet behind the ears,” know-it-all kids, and turns them into the world’s greatest fighting machine. 

President Ronald Reagan used the phrase, “Peace through strength.” His goal was maintaining a strong force, making aggressive nations think twice before threatening the United States. Unfortunately, there have been other countries that have chosen war in an effort to control other countries.

When you sign up for the military, you are giving Uncle Sam a blank check with your name on it. If needed, Uncle Sam can cash it, up to and including your life. In return, Uncle Sam promises you a retirement for 20 years of service, medical care with disability pay, and life insurance if you don’t make it. 

Those who have served in our military have earned the title of “Veteran.” After military service, every Veteran has to readjust from a life of intense activity to life in the civilian world. Some are able to slide back into civilian life without too much trouble. Other Veterans find it difficult to resume civilian life, and a few find readjusting impossible; they feel like they will never fit in. Combat Veterans find it hard to switch off the intensity, they’re always ready to react at any moment. Some have guilt feelings for surviving when others didn’t. 

There are scars that can’t be seen, and there are the scars that are visible. The physically disabled have to deal with mobility issues on top of all of the other returning Veteran problems. Those who have spent months in the hospital will face the roller coaster of more surgeries down the road, they can lose track of time and can get disconnected from friends and relatives, on top of having to start a new way of living. 

So, when you see a Veteran, you should say "Thank You!"