Today We Set Aside For Remembrance

Stars and Stripes

I asked some veterans I know to share with us what Veterans Day means to them. The first is from Phillip Swift of Oskaloosa.

“From the bitter cold winter at Valley Forge, to the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, our soldiers have courageously answered when called, gone where ordered, and defended our nation with honor.”
Solomon Ortiz

Today we set aside for remembrance. We honor those who gave up so much, from loss of life to those who struggle to heal after being savaged in mind, body, and spirit.

I have been privileged to travel and stand on many battle fields. The stories of bravery and skill at arms are told and retold, but in the process the fine details of the individuals are often lost. These individuals all had dreams and it is the loss of those dreams I feel and remember on Veterans day. It is also not just the Veterans, but their friends and family who shared their hopes and dreams.

So it becomes incumbent on us to live up to our potential. We should all strive to make our dreams and hopes real after so many have lost that opportunity defending us. In short, live a life that is worth their sacrifice…

Phillip Swift