Thank You for Your Silent Service
As Veteran’s Day dawned this year, I started to think about all those whose service to this country I appreciate. My husband came to mind first, then I thought about my many uncles and cousins, and my brother-in-law. Several from our graduating class went into the service after high school, and many friends I’ve made since my youth have also given of themselves to keep the United States peaceful and prosperous.
As with most Veteran’s Days, I felt a stir to consider another group of unsung heroes—people who serve our country anonymously, women and men who learned their spouse’s social security number before they memorized their own, people who know the difference between a PX and a BX. I thought about this silent majority who lived on military bases decades ago, before the internet made daily connection more accessible—spouses and children who went days and months without a phone call or a letter from their loved one. These brave individuals picked up and moved hundreds of miles from their families and learned to live with never-ending worry. Some put their careers on hold, others spent time serving the military without the acknowledgment. They donated hours in the post hospital or the base chapel. They cared for the other spouses who’d been left behind and encouraged the young ones who stepped into the life of a military spouse without really understanding what that meant. And I can’t count the number of spouses and close friends who walk their favorite veteran through their PTSD every day. These servants gave up their lives without signing a contract with the government.
I also think we should acknowledge the parents of those whom we call veterans. As proud as those mothers and fathers must be, it’s difficult to watch your eighteen-year-old take on the responsibility of a mature adult. College kids come home on the weekends, military men and women don’t have that luxury.
I don’t want to minimize the role our veterans play in the safety and protection of our country. I believe they deserve the utmost honor. In fact, I’m overjoyed that our local schools invite veterans to attend breakfasts with the children. I want the young people to understand the sacrifice these men and women have made—even those who never left US soil.
At the same time, I wonder if we shouldn’t set aside a day for the families of those who’ve served in the military, or at least say thank you to those courageous souls on Veteran’s Day as well. I personally only spent four short years living on a military base and was only eight hours from my parents. However, I know many have given their entire lives to the United States, and some have given an even greater sacrifice—one we recognize on Memorial Day.
Today, I want to acknowledge and thank the hundreds of millions of family members who have served beside the nearly twenty-six million veterans living today. Thank you to the spouses and children. Thank you to the parents, grandparents, and siblings. May Christ bless you for your faithfulness to our country as well as your loved one. I want you to know your silent contribution to our nation has not gone unnoticed.
