IN DEFENSE OF COMMON SENSE
By Hetty Gray
# 307
November 11, 2024
“Veterans Day”
Today we honor each who selflessly stepped up to serve his or her county. I am reminded of the teacher whose students walked into an empty classroom — no desks. Astonished at the scene, they stood rapt as their teacher offered an explanation that should hit home with all of us.
When she asked the students if they knew the value of their education, she was greeted with odd expressions. After a few quiet minutes, adults entered the room, one by one, each carrying a desk. As each student took a desk, an adult stood behind.
The teacher explained that, because of a veteran, they were free. Quite a lesson. Smart teacher. I would like to think that those kids took that memory with them. I hope so.
Today, more so than in years, our veterans have something to celebrate. They are about to serve under a Commander in Chief who puts them first. You have only to look at the record of President Donald Trump firing incompetent workers in VA Hospitals around the country and enabling veterans to access medical care in convenient locations if a VA hospital was far away. Imagine, if you will, that in order to get medical care – even minor procedures – you were mandated to travel for hours just to get there. Many of Trump’s speeches highlighted veterans. Moreover, his actions mirrored his words. Sadly, recent years have seen a disintegration of attention paid our veterans.
For the moment, consider the fact that our veterans took a back seat to illegals in recent years. The current administration had more money (our money, incidentally) than sense when it displaced veterans to house people who crossed the border illegally. That will stop. Private concerns such as Tunnel To Towers stepped up to house veterans, but the government has a role to play. Under Trump and Marine veteran J. D. Vance, federal help will once again focus on our veterans.
We not do we only owe our veterans attention and good medical care, but our highest respect. I always go out of my way to acknowledge a veteran wearing a cap identifying his service, but even that falls short. They deserve so much more.
A tip of the hat (and I DO wear hats) to all veterans and, in particular, an unnamed veteran in Michigan. Eleven o’clock this morning commemorates the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, and heralds back to the end of World War I, dubbed as “The war to end all wars.” Sadly, history confirms that its title did not live up to its name.
We, to a person, owe our very freedom to our veterans. Love of country is love of veterans. Take time to thank one you know, and when you do, thank God for all those you do not know.
As is my custom, I close with a twist on “Think about it.” Think about veterans.