Dear Veteran,
This Veterans Day I am reminded of my daughter coaching lacrosse to a team of 10-year old girls in Charlotte, NC. During one of her practices, there apparently were a few military aircraft that flew overhead. The noise and presence of the unsuspected jets frightened the children. They turned to their coach and asked what was going on. Proudly, my daughter replied that it was the sound of freedom. She used it as a teaching moment to explain the training and practice that is necessary to be the best in the world.
The experience of the children demonstrates how fortunate we are to live in a country with freedom and opportunity. Unlike some countries, living in fear is not something that we are faced with on a regular basis. America truly is a wonderful place. After traveling abroad, the sense of coming home is such a warm, welcome feeling. Getting together with family stands out as a similar feeling. Family gatherings elicit feelings of security, comfort, safety, and relaxation with the occasional dysfunction that exists in every family unit. Our country is like a very, very large family. We have diversity, disagreements, and differing opinions, but at the end of the day, there really is “no place like home.”
It is fitting that Veterans Day is followed by the big family holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our Veterans and military families have sacrificed much for this country. As we celebrate this Veterans Day and the upcoming holiday season, take comfort in the sense of freedom men and women in uniform, military aircraft, ships, and vehicles represent. There is no greater place to call home. A large part of this is due to the commitment and sacrifice of our Veterans and their families.
Richard S Hageman, CDR, USN, MSC (RET)
