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Tuesday was Election Day in America…three days later it was Veterans Day, a day set aside on the American calendar to celebrate the men and women who have served our country in the military and fought to maintain our freedom. Because of them we could go to the polls and vote. Because of them we continue to live in a democracy and enjoy the freedoms that Americans fought for and won in the American Revolution.
Veterans Day is an appropriate time to come together as one nation to show appreciation to those who served in the military.
Friday, a ceremony was first held at Elizabethton High School in recognition of Veterans Day. Later that morning a ceremony was held downtown at the Veterans Wall of Honor, where the names of Carter Countians, who have served in the military, are inscribed on each individual. These men and women have fought in wars from World War I to Iraq and Afghanistan. Some served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Marines, others in the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and some in their local or state national guards. Regardless of the branch of service, they were united in their cause.
It hasn’t been a week since Election Day. Some candidates won, others lost. But, Republican or Democrat, we all have something to celebrate — our veterans, the people who have put their lives on the line to keep our nation safe and to ensure our right to vote.
Whether we voted red or blue Tuesday, we voted because we are free, we love this country and want to see it prosper and stay free although we may have disagreements on the best way to accomplish that.
We can learn from the example of the military. Those who took the oath to serve came from all walks of life and from every state of the union — big cities, small towns. They are from from every political party, religion, ethnicity, gender, and sexual identity.
It is important that our veterans know that none of them are forgotten.
Veterans know what it means to set aside individual differences and work together as one team, and we ought to be just as united in offering our support, respect, and gratitude.
We all need to take the time to go downtown Elizabethton, and first go to the War Memorial and sit on one of the benches and read the names of the men etched on those black granite monuments — men who fought and gave their lives in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Enduring Freedom. They gave their all for this country and the cause of freedom. We should and must be thankful for their service.
Then, take a walk on the other side of the street down the walls of honor where the names of men and women, who served this country in the military, are etched on black granite bricks. Some are members of your family, your neighbors, men and women you attend church with or work with. They all have a story to tell.
Each November at Veterans Day, it is important that our veterans know that none of them are forgotten and that we are grateful for their service.
Veterans know what it means to set aside individual differences and work together as one team, and we ought to be united in offering our support, respect and gratitude.
As we go forward after this election and into the days that follow, let us honor our American veterans by showing that we have not forgotten how to stand together as Americans.
Instead of protesting, may we stand together as a free and democratic nation to make our nation better, more forgiving, more compassionate, and a people of service. Together we stand, divided we fall.