A Salute
On a warm Tuesday, people of all races and ages
Stood in line with great expectation
Exercising a freedom to vote
That was won by soldiers of past generations
Each and every day we are swayed by the right and the left
Speaking the truths they hold so tightly to
The beauty is not in one side being wrong or right
But in our own liberty to choose
These things that makes us American
These rights we are entitled to
Are not free, but come with a cost
That was paid, but not by me or by you
It was paid for by men and women
Sons and daughters
Who gave up their chance to be fathers and mothers
While we sit here today
Determined to get what we are owed
We cannot forget the sacrifice
Or the blood that has flowed
Even in our division
Even at our worst
They still chose to give
Today we say thank you
We mourn and we grieve
But mostly we rest easy
Not for what they have taken, but for what they leave
A legacy of sacrifice, honor, and hope
The gift of security
Veterans, we salute you
May God shed His grace on thee
The inspiration for this post comes from my husband, Jesse, who served in the United States Army from 2003-2007. While on duty in Iraq in 2007, he received a gunshot wound to the head and was awarded a Purple Heart for the wounds he received in combat. Thankfully he survived his wounds, but he fought alongside many soldiers who did not. Veterans Day is a day to honor their selfless sacrifice and the gift that is a free country. Today is a day that many families are without their loved ones so that we can be with ours.
