Thank you Veterans

One of my high school classmates was killed in Iraq early in the war. He and his patrol unit were making their normal patrols for the day. The first vehicle (not sure if they were in jeeps or tanks) missed the IED buried in the sand. Victor's vehicle didn't miss it. From what I understand, when an IED causes major impact damage the military has very little to send back to the family. Victor was the first person that I had known as a teenager who was killed at war. I still have trouble wrapping my mind around the whole incident.

I don't fully understand what motivates members of the military to have the courage required to walk into harms way day after day in the name of our country. If you talk to a veteran who has returned from a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan, they are eager to return. They want to be there with their unit. I am eternally grateful for their courage, I just don't have the capacity to understand it. However, at Victor's funeral I did receive some insight into how our brave soldiers do their jobs.

The funeral was conducted outdoors at a National Military Cemetery. The Congressman who spoke at the funeral was a veteran. He explained that all of us will die, but that our military can die for a purpose. At least this is some explanation of how and why our military men and women are so brave. We will all die -- no one gets out of this life alive -- our military die with the purpose of defending freedom. This I can understand.

After the Congressman spoke, there was a jet fly-over and taps were played. Taps always make me cry. However, I was not prepared for what came next. There is a military roll call at the funeral of fallen soldiers. The officer in charge began to call out the names of all of the active-duty military members of the audience. He called each one loud and clear and they answered from either their seat or from where they were standing. Finally, to my surprise, he called Victor's name. He called it a second time. He called it a third time. No answer. His words reverberated in the complete silence as many of us stood shocked to hear Victor's name called with the expectation that he should answer the call. Finally, the officer turned to Victor's mom and said "Victor does not answer. He has given all in the name of his country." I sobbed as did many of the audience. The American flag was folded and given to the family. Victor left a mom and dad, brothers, a wife, small children, and many friends to carry on without him.

Everyone has a story of a courageous veteran or a courageous family of a veteran. This is mine.