Dear Editor:
A veteran is a serviceman or woman who was there when called and gave up a big part of their life, to defend your freedom.
A veteran is the man or woman who lives down the street or around the comer., \Who an early age volunteered for the price of freedom grew up overnight to a man or woman and put his or her life on hold and left behind family and friends to defend the rights of your life, and freedom.
A veteran is the person who is crippled from a shell or other accident of war. Who got that way defending your freedom of not having to go to war, Some of which are locked in his or her minds tormenting then and unseen forever.
A veteran is the person who witnessed the horrors of battle or the death of a friend defending your freedom.
A veteran is the person who left his family and job behind to protect the rights and freedom of your family and job.
A veteran is the person who slept on a dirty or wet muddy ground or in the pouring rain, freezing cold snow or hot arid desert, so you can sleep safely in your own bed.
A veteran is a person who ate a cold meal from a pouch or went without so you can enjoy a hot meal at home.
A veteran is the person who was on call 2417 to make sure your are safe, so you can enjoy the beach, movie, or time with your family while they are away from theirs.
A veteran is the person who carried his prayer book or other religious articles in his pockets or back pack, had to worship out in the open exposed to the elements and enemy, so you can sit in a pew at your place of worship safe and sound.
And lastly a veteran is the unsung hero who only wants to live a normal life, and move on and pray to God no one else has to endure the horrors he or she has witnessed.
THANK GOD AND BLESS THE VETERANS!!
If you can walk the streets in peace and quiet, remember the members of the armed services who is sleeping in a cold pouring rain or hot and dry hole or a frozen wasteland in the ground in yom- place.
If you can go to school and worship where you want remember the member, and past members of the armed services who is worshiping over an alter spread across the hood of two armored vehicles exposed to the elements and enemy so you can be in a nice place of worship, or a well maintained school.
Then look up to heaven and thank God for the Air Force, Army, Coast Guardsman, Marine, Navy, member giving that fight to you, at this minute.
Most of all, say a special prayer and shake a veteran’s hand and thank him or her for the freedoms you take for granted, because of the sacrifices they endured for you, and your family.
And lastly, remember all who give something of themselves to protect you, and a chosen few heros who have given there all. and now walk the streets of heaven on ever guard to welcome you.
Henry W. Bourgeois
USMC Veteran
Oil City
