Poignant

In addition to this blog, I do a little free lance writing, mainly about veterans and motorcycling.  Doing so brings me into contact with some truly amazing people, including Marine Corps veteran Ana Sanchez.

A veteran of our most recent wars, it was my honor to interview her, which produced this article.  It tells her story, including being a member of the Marine Corps Female Engagement Teams in ground combat, thus earning the unique recognition of being a Lioness.

Most sadly, Ana passed away recently, succumbing to cancer and leaving behind her husband, a daughter, and a son.

Her passing underscores that there are fantastic people who come into our lives, if only for a short period.  They are extraordinary, simply because they are average, patriotic folks like most of us, working hard to live happy and productive lives day-to-day.

They are not individuals written about by the main stream media.  They are not people about who various pundits and self-appointed experts speak.  They are not the rich and famous.  They don't travel in limousines or chartered aircraft.  They don't appear on talk shows.    

They are our fellow Americans, pure and simple, who have served their country.  They do not seek handouts.  They stand when our National Anthem is played.  Their families are the centers of their lives.

They are male, female, white, black, Asian, Hispanic, Native American.  They come from every part of the country.  They like all kinds of music.  They live in blue states and red states.

Remember, I suggest, these folks when tempted to complain about this or that.  The paths of our lives cross for a bit, adding richness to each.  This is the human experience and deserves recognition.

Just as Marine Corps combat veteran Ana Sanchez deserves our respect for her service.  Her life mattered, not just to her family and friends, but to our nation as well.

Semper Fidelis 

  

Veterans Day 2016 approaches

Veterans Day 2016 approaches.  

On 1 November, veterans came together to honor the latest serviceman killed in Iraq, Chief Petty Officer Jason Finan, United States Navy.  

Noting the flying American flags, cannot help but think of the controversial act of kneeling during the National Anthem.

Those choosing this form of public protest most likely have no military experience, personal or family, and do not understand the impact on veterans.  Though this veteran and those with whom I associate are incensed by the disrespectful act, we also (to a man) recognize and defend the right of the protestors to do so.  It is one of the rights we, not they, served to support and defend.

November is also the month of the Military Family.  Military families serve, often times without public recognition for their sacrifices, in ways most Americans do not understand.  As less that one-half of one percent serve on active duty, the relative numbers of military families are very small.  Yet their sacrifices are far out of proportion to their numbers.  Ask the wife who gives birth to her first child, while her husband is overseas, as did my wife over four decades ago.  Ask the wife who receives the news of her husband's death in some far flung place, as did the wife of CPO Finan.  Ask the children who do not see their fathers for months or years during their upbringing, as the servicemen are deployed around the world and at sea.  Ask the family of the E-2 struggling to make ends meet on a level of pay that meets HUD definition of low income.  So as Veterans Day approaches, let us also keep our military families in mind. 

As November 11 approaches, it follows two key dates.  Election Day on 8 November and the Marine Corps Birthday on 10 November.  One date marks a particularly ugly chapter in our nation's history.  The other marks the birth of the world's greatest fighting force.  One date conjures up disturbing images, memories, and scenes of disrespectful, deceitful, corrupt, illegal, selfish, unethical, and insulting pursuit of the presidency.  The other conjures up admirable images, memories, and scenes of sacrifice, heroism, service, and patriotism.

On this Veterans Day, in particular, the nation should pause for a moment to recognize the contributions our veterans made while in uniform and then out of uniform once they returned to broader society.  They continue to serve, young and old, in all sectors of our country.  They came home from World War II and Iraq and Afghanistan to become role models for their fellow citizens.

God bless our veterans and military families.