Ode to Veterans

Member Group : Guest Articles

As Tea Parties and Patriots assemble across our state and nation exercising their first amendment right, privilege an even duty to speak out and assemble to voice their opinions when it is evident that government is not representing their views or the vision of the founding fathers, we must not forget those who protected that right.

Setting aside the political component, it is no accident that we continue to enjoy our freedoms. Through the course of our country’s history from Washington crossing the Delaware to Afghanistan, young men and women were called to duty for over 230 years when words between governments failed. The plow shares to swords became the theme all too often.

In the modern history of wars it was once said that WW I was the war to end all wars. But as we know, WW II – Korea – Vietnam – Operation Enduring Freedom – Desert Storm and now Iraq and Afghanistan all followed. Some wars not always popular on the home front, but nonetheless when called to duty, they went. Most never heard of Iwo Jima – Saint Mere Elise – Panmunjom – Kandahar, but they went. Between each of these wars there was only a few years’ hiatus and that isn’t even considering the abbreviated conflicts in Granada, Somalia or Panama.

And while not engaged in actual conflict, there was the cold war when our defenders of liberty were continually preparing and anticipating. Over those many years of war and conflict we lost hundreds of thousands of brave men and women. Many buried on foreign soil. Many still only known as MIAs
The irony of all the years of war as we reflect back, Japan is now a trading partner; China is our bank; Germany is our alley in Europe with many US military bases. To be sure, wars are only temporary solutions to peace as we know it.

Since 9/11, defending our nation and its values has a totally different component. We no longer discuss fronts or theaters. We no longer secure a town or island one at a time. We no longer seek out an enemy wearing a different uniform. We don’t know what he looks like by appearance. Our troops are constantly and unknowingly in harm’s way. And this is one that many of us see no end in sight.

And so, we need to stand back from that political component of patriotism and salute those true patriots that over the years went in harm’s way to defend our right to assemble when all else failed.

May God bless the veterans of all wars.

Thank you.
Rod Miller
Berks County Patriots, Vice Chairman