Veteran's Day

So many faces come to mind when I think about Veteran's Day.  Instantly of course it would be Brandon.  I struggle with the idea of our children going off to war, peace missions, conflict, and policing,  It is a noble cause to fight for another, to protect freedoms, and help to stop atrocities.  I know there are many individuals who recognize the costs of soldiers, and no I don't mean monetary.  Families are changed forever when a part of their family is away.  Families are changed forever when they come home.  

Our children spend time playing games, that are terribly violent.  Mine included.  How synthesized do you think they really are? Yeah most get the whole, it's not real part, but how many join up thinking they can be just as good as the game?  How many of our children devalue life due to the large numbers of death they see daily.  Real or imagined it adds up.  What would be the world if every single human being valued life, any life?  

Man has warred against each other for as long as we have been on Earth. Generations of people have been effected by the death of loved ones, PTSD (also known over the years as melancholy, shell shock, soldier's heart), and even the ripping apart of families (divorce/long separation).  The question is do we want our men and women (that are fighting for us) to not feel or be aware of the pain, fear (yes fear), and sorrow?  I don't want someone fighting that has no regard for life, that's called genocide.  

So if we expect our soldiers to fight for us, shouldn't we fight for them, and try to gain some understanding of what they really have done for each of us.  Take away the game mentality, it's real, the cost is extraordinarily high, but the reward of their fighting for our freedom is also an extraordinary gift.  Handle the gift of freedom with respect, care, and HONOR.  Nurture those who will be coming home, that have come home, and those families who won't have someone coming home. 

Blessings