Editor’s note: The following is one of the winning essays from the annual “Patriot’s Pen” contest, sponsored by the Leo Mann VFW Post 8671. Additional essays will be printed in coming weeks as space is available.
When is the Right Tim to Honor Our Military Heroes?
My grandfather is a veteran. He served in the Korean conflict. He was on the front lines for ten months. He will tell anyone it was no “conflict”, it was a war.
Granddad still has vivid memories of those times and that place. He had friends and fellow soldiers die in front of him. Almost sixty years later, the thought of that time and what happened still bring mixed emotions. Granddad enjoys remembering old friends, but is saddened by memories of many deaths.
“When is the right time to honor our military heroes?” Every day.
We should honor our veterans, every time:
We go to worship; we are allowed to choose when, where and how.
We vote for elected officials.
We travel freely in this country and most other countries.
We voice our thoughts and opinions freely.
We choose where to live and work.
“When is the right time to honor our military heroes?” Every day.
Part of our family vacation this past summer, was spent in Washington, D.C. On our first day in the D.C. area, we visited Arlington National Cemetary. While we were there, we visited the tomb of the unknown soldier. We watched the changing of the guard. A person cannot walk or ride among the rolling hills of that solemn place without thinking of the men and women who gave all for their country.
Our family visited the National Mall and toured the monuments. We saw the monuments to presidents and to wars. We walked through the World War II memorial. We read the names on the Vietnam War memorial and walked around the Korean War memorial.
“When is the right time to honor our military heroes?” Every day.
My father told me that he has read that almost all of the world’s World War I veterans are gone. I am quite sure that in my lifetime, all of the World War II and Korean War veterans will also pass on.
We cannot allow ourselves to forget these people and the things that they did for us. We need to remember the veterans of well known wars as well as veterans of lesser remembered wars, conflicts, and U.N. police actions. We also need to remember the unknown scrimmages, fights and border disputes.
“When is the right time to honor our military heroes?” Every day.
By Kellen Stockton
Prescott, Ark. —
