Veterans Day, and the taste of freedom

When I was in Vietnam, I bought a Zippo cigarette lighter and had it engraved with a popular saying among troops. It says, "Freedom, for those who fought for it, has a taste the protected will never know."

Whatever your views about any war, those in a combat zone need to find a rationalization for their involvement. Americans, perhaps more than those from many countries, can be motivated if they believe they are fighting for someone else's freedom. Though we may have different political views, the common thread among people in this country is a love of freedom. Politicians recognize this and will often, sometimes disingenuously, offer the defense of freedom as the rationalization for sending U.S. troops to fight for other countries.

As a nation, we should appreciate those who have served and appreciate that they were there as our first line of defense. Learn about what costs they paid by serving in war and during periods of peace. These men and women sacrificed for our nation in ways many cannot understand.

It is amazing how many Americans of different generations have been willing to place themselves at risk to defend a principle. A link between men and women veterans from 1775 to the present is a sense of shared sacrifice. These are the things that I believe should be recognized and celebrated on Veterans Day. Veterans Day is a day to be thankful for those men and women who stood up when asked and when others of their own generation sat back.

On this Veterans Day, realize the gratitude this nation is expressing to those who wore the uniform.

Jack Dragoni attended Boston College and served in the U.S. Army in Berlin and Vietnam. He lives in Chaffee, Missouri.