Thank You Veterans
Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com
First and foremost, THANK YOU VETERANS!. As America wakes up and starts her day this Wednesday, November 11th, 2009, it behooves each and every one of us to be thankful for - and express our appreciation to - the military service veterans of the United States. If you look around they probably aren’t hard to find.
Just look for the guy standing a little taller than those slouching around him. Look for the guy you’ve seen a couple times each week, never spoken to, but realized his hair is always cut and he’s always clean shaven. Look for the woman who stands out in your mind as competent and slightly bold - as if she knows she can take charge of a situation and will if need be.
Look for those stickers on the back windows of what is often a pick-up truck or an SUV: the Army logo; the Marine Corps emblem; the Air Force seal; the Navy’s logo; the Coast Guard’s unique design. Some of them won’t be as easily recognized: how many of you have seen a pair of yellow foot prints on a sticker and not known what it was? There’s probably a Marine in that vehicle, or the relative of one. Those yellow footprints will never be forgotten by the Marine recruits who stand on them as they’re “welcomed” to basic training. Or it might be a parachute with wings… emblematic of our airborne troops. A helicopter with wings? Air Assault soldiers.
Truth be told, you’ll probably have a pretty good chance of finding a veteran in many of the police or deputy’s cruisers you find yourself behind (or in front of). At least one agency I know used to have about a 60% population of service veterans, and it’s only natural that they would. Veterans tend to make excellent cops.
They already understand the military / rank structure.
They already have a strong sense of self-discipline.
They already understand the need for and pride in a professional appearance.
They already have proven their ability to perform under stressful and dangerous circumstances.
They already have shown their dedication to duty and a commitment to service.
Many of them have sacrificed personally in some way to do the right thing.
Today - and for that matter every day - I ask you to look around. Pay a bit more attention. Reach out your hand and say THANK YOU to our service veterans.
To all my brother and sister veterans I extend my thanks, appreciation and honor. Without you our country wouldn’t be half as great as it is today.
I served in the army a few years back and so did my little brother. My enlistment ended just before Iraq started heating up but he did two tours there. Those were hard times for our family and I wonder whether it was worth it. The memories seared into my brother’s mind. This is his one life and horrible images from Iraq will be with him until he dies. What makes it worth it? What makes this country worth dying for? I read a headline this morning that the families of the DC sniper were busy “celebrating” his execution. To me that is sick. And primitive. What makes this country worth dying for?
You could not have said it better. Thank you for serving and thanks to all the Veterans today and everyday. People may be surprised at how much a simple “thank you” means to Veterans.
And remember that next time you walk by a ‘bum’ on the street, there’s a one-in-five chance that he’s a veteran. The American people’s record of taking care of our veterans is disgusting, let’s get our act together.
Hilary;
I assume you’re asking what makes Iraq worth dying for? If you’re asking what makes America worth dying for then I’d direct your question to the hundreds of thousands of veteran dead who valued this country and their duty enough to sacrifice everything. I’d direct your question to those men and women who risked all to give us this country more than 200 years ago. I’d direct you to ask the hundreds of thousands of service men and women who serve today. I’m sure you’ll get more answers than you could ever expect.
Elizabeth: thanks for the comment. You’re welcome!
Garcho: well said.
[…] say " thank you" to veterans on november 11. veterans and active-duty military . . . Thank You Veterans First of all, thank you veterans! . As america wakes up and starts her day this wednesday, november […]
Did you know Veteran’s day was celebrated in October?
How do you feel about all the fallen soldiers.I just read it in this article and found it most informative.
http://ketiva.com/Politics_and_Government/the_history_of_veterans_day.html
I enjoy remembering this day because I have two younger siblings in different military agencies. Thank God for our men & women that are ready to defend our country, so we can practice the right to our FREEDOM!!!
my comment is that we really appreciate the salute, we love our country, but when we are over the age limit in IL. they say we can work any more, not fair. what you think?
From one veteran to other veterans. Thank You. Whether you served in combat or not, we have all had our freedom taken away during boot camp and we realize how precious our freedoms that have been fought for are. To the active duty MOS, Charlie Mike.
I served for 21 years in the US Army (Ranger). I can never forget how I was treated when I came home from Vietnam. Seeing how the country treats its veterans today makes it a little easier. I have, aand will continue to be, extremely pround of my service and hold a speacial place in my heart for all others who have raised their hands and taken The Oath!!
This is a letter my daughter sent to the President April 2001
She salutes and respects All Veterans in the Military and Law Enforcement.
She totally amazed me with her words and concern for Law Enforcement Members.
Dear President Bush
My name is _____ K___ and I am 10 years old. I am the daughter of a police detective and was wondering why doesn’t government recognize police as they do war veterans. I truly respect all war veterans of this country as well as all police in this country. I find it difficult that this country doesn’t provide medical services for the police in the same way it does our veterans. It would be nice for our country to respect the police the same way as it does our heros of all wars for this country. The police fight a daily war on our streets and many lose their lives or are injured in the line of duty. War is declared when our military fights for our country and nothing is ever declared when the police fight for our communities, cities and states. There are thousands of police who lost their lives fighting for the rights of our people.
Mr. President please help our police departments with providing a United States Law Enforcement Veterans Organization, which can provide medical assistance for our heros in this great country.
I am in no way comparing the veterans of war to the police, but I believe that the police are also veterans of war in our communities.
I don’t believe that there is much difference in the types of war that the police and veterans have fought and are still fighting, but the war on our streets will never end. The police will continue to fight for our wellbeing and our rights for protection against the criminals in this country.
I would be very pleased if you, Mr. President, would help our police with medical assistance in the same way as our great country does for our war heros.
Mr. President, my dad is a single parent who raises me and my 14 year old brother and works many of overtime hours to pay our bills and protects our Great State of Louisiana.
It would be nice if our country would show more respect for men and women that serve in our GREAT AMERICAN COUNTRY!
Sincerely
_____ K___
PS….PLEASE READ THIS LETTER AND THANK YOU
GOD BLESS THE USA
Thank you very much, from an MP who’s about to deploy.
It’s nice to know that our brothers and sisters in the Civilian Law Enforcement community appreciate us.
Hi, I am 14 years old and i am looking to go into be a police officer when i get older. Can you please tell me how well a police officer lives in Florida? Please include the annual income. Thank you.
As an Officer and a Soldier currently serving my third tour in Iraq, I am proud of my fellow brothers serving in harm’s way, and those that wear the badge of honor that represent their perspective States, Counties and Municipalities. We are all protectors of our Nation, and are sworn to uphold our sacred US Constitution.
I have so much respect for those that have served before me, and the sacrifices that they have made for Freedom. When I encounter veterans, whether in uniform or off duty, I make the time to say Thank You……It means so much to all of us.
Sir.
I am not sure if what I am saying here may get to the right page ..but..In response to Bill Mann and his comments on the shooting of the Officers in Washington on Sunday…I say to him…The following….It is because the officers were armed and because the officer ,who, Bravely used his firearm inflicting a wound to the criminal who shot his comrades…It is because of this one fact ..That this criminal got what he got.And if more civilians in that cafe were armed. Bill. Then not if as you like to say in your comments on the tragedy but definately…More officers would have survived from this irrational incident. So…Mr.Mann. If you nothing better to say other than…..Ya da Ya da Ya on the so called Happy Gun Lobyists….I am happy to report that .The fact of the matter is this.Yes the officers were armed…Yes it was a lawless gun weilding crazy man that slipped through the cracks.These things happen and yes I still strongly support the rights to own a gun and yes if there was just 1 more gun owning Happy Gun Owner in that cafe.Then yes we may have been able to secure the safe return of at least 1 more Officer at Arms to their Family this year rather than loose all 4 so tragically. Henry Slater…A proud Happy Gun Owner.
How many times did you fail the 5th grade? I am guessing..twice
iam so thankful for all the military persons do. and a proud army mom, whom got back from iraq. a yr ago.. who is at ft. hood. and i have a big thanks to him and all others serving.
sorry my son that is sargent will bishop, i work at a walmart every time i see someone in uniform i go out of my way to shake ther hand and tell thank you for all that they do.