Warriors, Veterans and Other Heroes

Every Veterans Day I think of my Dad, now nearly 91.

When the Germans invaded Poland in 1939 my Dad was 19. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor he was 21. He enlisted a few months later and was trained as a fighter pilot in the Army Air Corps. He learned to fly P-47 Thunderbolts, Spitfires, and the magnificent P-51D Mustang. His missions included bomber escort during the dangerous daylight raids of Germany, close air support during D-Day, and he even flew Dwight Eisenhower on reconnaissance. My Dad is one of my heroes.

Like Dad, countless millions of men and women have donned the uniform of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard to serve and defend America since our founding. I cannot even fathom what life would be like today if they had not done so. This is a day to salute them all—regardless of your politics. They are all American Heroes the likes of which the world is unworthy.

But they aren’t the only ones. Let’s not forget the wives and husbands, children, mothers and fathers who prayerfully supported these warriors from home. Their hope was not only victory but that, God willing, their loved one would come home alive and whole. Their service is worthy of our respect as well.

So, today and this weekend as we remember our veterans let’s do just that. Remember and thank them. We owe them our lives.