…you are a Vet for Life.
You raised your right hand and took the sacred oath of enlistment to defend the Constitution of the United States.
Your reasons for enlistment are as diverse as your ranks. Some enlisted for educational benefits. Some for monies to raise a family. Some were drafted. All served because of a sense of duty to our great Nation.
Some are city slickers. Others are country boys. Some hailed from Texas and Illinois, California and New York, and…
The fact is, you came from all over this great Nation of ours to serve.
Some were called to fight, eye-witnessing the horrors and destructions of war.
Some served in peacetime, maintaining the liberties most take for granted.
The fact is, you all served. You were ready, able and willing to put your lives down for God, for Country, for us.
Some did 4 year tours. Some 6… 8… 12… and a few went all the way to retirement.
Some went on to became teachers, designers, technicians, engineers, mechanics, electricians, truck drivers, public servants…
The fact is, wherever you went and whatever profession you chose, you carried with you the pride and legacy of being a Veteran.
You stood out from the crowd. Maybe it was the way you walked and talked that gave you away. Or perhaps a tattoo sporting your branch gave a clue.
More than likely it was the way you conducted yourself with discipline, with military bearing, with initiative. You have been instilled with Honor, with Courage, with Commitment.
The fact is, you ARE a different breed.
You ARE warriors.
You were, ARE and always will be Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsman.
The fact is, you are a Vet for Life!
You know the kinship of brotherhood/sisterhood.
You understand what camaraderie and esprit de corps are all about.
The fact is, you were THERE and you did do THAT.
Although some may not be as lean, mean or green as we you were in your glory days, you are a Veteran, still true to our great Nation, and always, always faithful.
The fact is, your ranks are as diverse as the Country you served.
The fact is, when you hear the opening lines, “Oh say can you see…”, you stand at attention, feeling a sense of tremendous pride, knowing that you and your Brothers and Sisters in arms did your part in serving the United States of America.
The fact is…