"If you were to ask me one year ago if I had PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), I might have said no or maybe just a little. If you asked me if I dreamed about being in Afghanistan, I would have told you yes. If you asked me six months ago the same two questions, I would have said no because I have the love of a good woman. If you were to ask me today, I would tell you I have more traumatic stress from civilians that don't care about helping a veteran than I ever did because of fighting in a war.
I write this and tell you this because I think Veterans Day is not taken seriously by the majority of you. In your town, you have plenty of veterans to thank but you don't take the three seconds to walk over, shake their hand and say thank you. I see you in the airports walking by soldiers, airmen, Marines and sailors, without a word of thanks for doing something you yourself could not do.
Why? Why not walk up and thank the man or woman? Are you scared of them? Is it not worth your time? You don't think that the American military man has done anything for you? Pick an answer please and tell me. Why do you not go out to a parade for five minutes and wave to a couple of veterans? It means a lot to them, let me tell you.
You live in a world that you take for granted. You live your lives, go to school then go home. Most of you don't think a single thought about what goes on outside your own front door.
There is one day dedicated to veterans. One day that was made for their recognition. It is your duty as an American, as a citizen, as a person in your community to recognize this day and these people, and not just because you get the day off, because they did something for you. These people have earned the respect of the nation. It is your civic duty to shake a hand, lend support, listen to a story, go to a VA and do something to give back to these the most deserving of people.
If you need help finding out when the parade in your town is, where someone to thank is, or where if you have time you can go to help some people out this Nov. 11 feel free to ask me. I might not know right away, but for you, I will find out."
As a Mom of a Marine, Sgt. Michael Hill, currently serving in Iraq (his third tour first was Afghanistan, second Iraq), while his wife, Sgt Heather Hill and their two young children wait back here in the States along with the rest of us for Mike's safe return I can only whole heartedly agree with Joshua and thank him for putting all of his thoughts into the written word and sharing it with the newspaper. Thank you to Joshua, Mike, Heather and ALL Veteran's, past and present, and their families who serve this great nation, God Bless them and God Bless the U.S.A.
I write this and tell you this because I think Veterans Day is not taken seriously by the majority of you. In your town, you have plenty of veterans to thank but you don't take the three seconds to walk over, shake their hand and say thank you. I see you in the airports walking by soldiers, airmen, Marines and sailors, without a word of thanks for doing something you yourself could not do.
Why? Why not walk up and thank the man or woman? Are you scared of them? Is it not worth your time? You don't think that the American military man has done anything for you? Pick an answer please and tell me. Why do you not go out to a parade for five minutes and wave to a couple of veterans? It means a lot to them, let me tell you.
You live in a world that you take for granted. You live your lives, go to school then go home. Most of you don't think a single thought about what goes on outside your own front door.
There is one day dedicated to veterans. One day that was made for their recognition. It is your duty as an American, as a citizen, as a person in your community to recognize this day and these people, and not just because you get the day off, because they did something for you. These people have earned the respect of the nation. It is your civic duty to shake a hand, lend support, listen to a story, go to a VA and do something to give back to these the most deserving of people.
If you need help finding out when the parade in your town is, where someone to thank is, or where if you have time you can go to help some people out this Nov. 11 feel free to ask me. I might not know right away, but for you, I will find out."
As a Mom of a Marine, Sgt. Michael Hill, currently serving in Iraq (his third tour first was Afghanistan, second Iraq), while his wife, Sgt Heather Hill and their two young children wait back here in the States along with the rest of us for Mike's safe return I can only whole heartedly agree with Joshua and thank him for putting all of his thoughts into the written word and sharing it with the newspaper. Thank you to Joshua, Mike, Heather and ALL Veteran's, past and present, and their families who serve this great nation, God Bless them and God Bless the U.S.A.
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