Happy or Thank You?

I want to offer up my appreciation to the high school government class and Mr. Simmer. Once again they didn't disappoint. They planned, organized, and executed a wonderful program for the Veterans Day Assembly. This annual recognition means a great deal to all our Veterans and their families. Each year, attendees share with me how impressed they are with the quality of the event and program. It is almost as if it gets better each year! And I can promise you, it takes a lot of work and logistics to pull off such a successful event. They are to be commended for their work. 

Even so, each Veteran approaches this day a bit differently based on their own personal experience. Is it appropriate to wish someone a 'Happy Veterans Day', or is it more appropriate to say, 'Thank You for Your Service'? I think it depends on the Veteran. As I have sometimes shared, my service and those of my era is markedly different from those who served before and after me. Some of my comrades have painful scars of their time in service, while others have fond memories. Where one may be willing to share their story, others are reluctant. And perhaps at the same time, it is audience dependent. That was where I found myself during the luncheon.

We sat down to enjoy our lunch at Community Church of Hudson with a couple of Vietnam era Veterans, one of which was a Purple Heart recipient. As Command Sargent Major Lewis reminded everyone during the program, our Vietnam Veterans were treated disgracefully when they returned home from their service. Perhaps then, it was our subconscious that was drawing us to that particular table. In any event, as I was preparing my plac, the Veteran next to me noticed the rank insignia on the lapel of my jacket.

"Oh, Navy", he says. "What was your rating?" 

"BM2", was my quick reply before shoveling a fork full of pasta into my mouth. He began sharing his story. He talked about how he started his career in the Navy before enlisting in the Army. When he graduated from Hudson High School, he recalled there were somewhere around 9 of his classmates (out of some 60+) that had enlisted. He rhetorically wondered why fewer young people chose the military as an option when graduating high school. Me, I sheepishly sat there and ate my lunch. Not knowing really what to say and feeling wholly inadequate. Indeed, our experiences couldn't have been more different! 

As I looked around the room, it was evident that I was in the presence of real American heroes. Veterans who had taken up arms in the defense of our country. Those who had successfully completed hundreds of combat sorties and landed aircraft on the deck of a carrier. Others who had survived experiences as POWs during Vietnam. The Veteran who served in the Big Red One, part of the coalition of American forces that liberated Kuwait during Operation Dessert Storm. And of course, the scores of Veterans, most of which who are younger than me who served multiple deployments during Operation Enduring Freedom. 

So, circling back to that original rhetorical question, 'Why do fewer young people choose the military?'. I really don't have a good answer to this question. I can certainly speculate, but those musings would be an exercise in futility. Perhaps a better question might be, 'Why did you choose to serve?' 

In my case, I had multiple friends from high school that chose the enlist. I was an outlier in that regard, choosing, almost at the last minute to opt for college instead. A story for another day, but an interesting choice nonetheless. I was of the Dessert Storm era, and have friends who served at the 'tip of the spear' during that engagement. When they returned, I noticed a difference in them. It was subtle, and they probably didn't notice it themselves but they seemed more, well--circumspect. 

I ended up enlisting in the Navy Reserve in 1993, well after Dessert Storm. While I did feel a patriotic sense of duty to serve my country, the reality of the situation was that college was quickly becoming too expensive, and access to the GI bill was incredibly appealing. So sense of patriotism, the GI bill, a more worldly view of our place in society. To have a shared, common point of reference with my friends from high school and be part of something bigger than myself: all of that factored into the calculus of my decision. So I signed up. 

In the final analysis, I believe the Navy probably did much more for me than I did for it. I went in as a kid. A very, very immature kid. I wasn't all that interested in going to class in college. I was more interested in, well other things. (Again stories for another time.) The Navy helped (made) me grow up. It taught me self-worth. The value of commitment and hard work. The importance of paying attention to detail. The true value of loyalty and teamwork. For all of that, I am grateful and do have fond memories of my service (although I didn't always think so at the time!). Quite frankly, without the Navy it is entirely likely I wouldn't be where I am today.

So if you are ever wondering whether to say, 'Happy Veterans Day', or 'Thank you for your service', perhaps you could ask. Then, maybe that evening before turning in, a quick prayer. For all those who have served and are currently serving. Because when they signed 'on the line' all were willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for their country and to protect the freedoms we continue to enjoy today.