Check this website.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSWh6fvsPYE
Happy Veterans day to everyone. If you know a Veteran just say “thank you.” If you are a Veteran; thank you! If you have never known or met a Veteran you know the stories. As members of Red Nation we all knew a Veteran.
Pat Tillman
We may not have known him personally, but we are aware of his actions. On this day of memorial I want to call to light Veterans. It is easy, as this is the day dedicated to them and their service.
A majority of everyone reading this has no idea about the actions rendered by the men and women in the service. I am in that majority as all of my knowledge and information is based on what I have read or watched; but never truly experienced.
I have never been in my life as selfless as the men and women that sacrifice themselves for the good of the country. I do not have the courage or heart to place myself into that danger. Millions of Americans have that calling and to them I have the most utmost respect.
Pat Tillman was one of those people.
Tillman was a man born in California and a fun loving guy. We are aware enough of the icon that he has become. He was a Cardinal and will always be a Cardinal.
Many people questioned him for his actions. Why would you walk away from the life of a millionaire to fight for your country?
I would have asked this question as it defies the logic I based my actions upon at the time. I am not selfless enough to sacrifice any part of my existence. I am not strong enough to endure the trials and tribulations that are encountered everyday in battle.
I am not a soldier. I am never going to be a soldier. I don’t have the mindset of a soldier, but I am learning.
I was the guy that sat on the sideline and questioned the reasoning of those who do sacrifice themselves for the service. I could never understand how someone would enter the complete unknown and place themselves in danger for a country or a cause. I was cynical of these people and since they were different;
They were wrong.
Why are we so afraid of being different?
Why are we so afraid of listening to and following the desires in our heart?
Pat Tillman did this and so do millions of other Americans.
At the funeral for Tillman, which I only watched because it was on TV, everyone that spoke said Pat would be pissed off with what happened after he died. He would be upset with the exposure that was created.
I never understood this. How could someone be upset with attention they received for their actions?
We are Americans. We are built to be famous. We read about famous people and what they eat. We watch famous people and talk to other people about famous people we have never met, but know so much about.
We love celebrity. I love celebrity. I do all of this for the attention. I love the attention that I get when someone tells me they liked what I had to say. I like the thought of celebrity of fame.
I am selfish.
I am not a soldier.
I don’t have the make-up to last five minutes doing anything that would challenge me.
I am a majority of Americans.
I am not proud of this.
We need a day in the middle of the week for us to recognize the works of people who are otherwise never remembered. We need a day on a calendar to stop for a second and say:
“Oh, yeah, everything that we live for is only possible because there are other people not as selfish as I.”
This may come off as harsh but I am frustrated. Not with anyone else, but with myself.
We, as a society, get caught up with all of these petty distractions that work our emotions up until we are ready to burst. But, we never take a moment to look at how easy we have it. We worry about the silliest things and lose sight of what is truly important.
Ask anyone who knows me; I am not one of those Patriotic, heart thumping Americans with the flag in my yard. I am not anti-America either. I just never thought about it, because I never understood it.
Just because we, as a society, don’t understand the logic and selflessness you carry as soldiers. We do thank you. We are uncomfortable with the unknown; you as soldiers are the unknown.
Never be ashamed of the service you have done for this country and for me.
As an American you have fought for me and allowed me the freedom to do this, so thank you.
Please thank a Veteran today. Give one a hug and look into their eyes and say thank you. Just because they are soldiers does not mean they are not human and have the same heart and soul as we do.
Happy Veteran’s Day and keep Hope alive, it’s a new day in America!
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