With November being the month of
Veterans Day, the
following is worth reflecting upon even if you have
seen versions of it before; I certainly do not claim it as
my original work:
It is the
veteran, not
the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the
veteran, not
the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the
veteran, not
the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the
veteran,
not the
lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the
veteran, not
the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the
veteran, not
the campus organizer, who has given us the right to
assemble.
It is the
veteran, not
the college professor, who has given us the right to think
independently.
It is the
veteran who
served under the flag yesterday; salutes the
flag today; and, will have his coffin covered by the
flag tomorrow. Sadly, he must also watch while the
ignorant burn that flag in his presence.
Remember, if it were not for
the
brave, there
would be no land
of the free!!
ARTHUR DeRUVE
COL (Ret) USAR