It’s Veteran’s Day and millions of Americans are nestled calmly in their beds.  The benefactor of a March 13th, 1938 Act of Congress establishing Armistice Day, originally dedicated to the remembrance of November 11th, 1918 – the day of the cease-fire that ended World War 1.   Today’s Veteran’s day is different.  I’m seeing signs around town for free car washes for veterans, free donuts and pizza.  Stores are having “huge Veteran’s Day sales and I can even get a discount on a new car if I buy on Veteran’s Day…and an extra $500 off if I was a Veteran.  

For me it’s always a constant reminder of those who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice.  For my friend Tim, my brother-in-law Joey who’s stationed in Alaska and haven’t seen in a few years.  It’s for my co-workers, a good number of whom have served but don’t talk much about it.  For my Uncle Tony and all my friends who currently serve.  For my Grandfathers – both who lived in America’s Greatest Generation.

I reflect on that for a moment.  We should all aspire to be as great as our Grandparents were.  Courageous in their efforts to defend our freedom’s and selfless enough to sacrifice, even outside the battle field.  It strikes me, as I write that sentence, that the spirit of the American soldier hasn’t changed but I fear the spirit of the American people may have.  If I described a person who was “courageous in their efforts to defend freedom and selfless enough to sacrifice their own lives,” I could be talking about 1915, 1945, 1965, 1995 or 2005.

I wonder though, for a moment, what the reaction would be if we were forced to stop the manufacturing of smart phones so the metals could be used for weapons that defend our nation? I’m optimistic we could do it but hopeful that we never need to find out.  

Thanks to all of those who serve!