Veteran’s Day 2020

At the final hour of this election I found myself thinking that my fellow citizens were less able to discuss issues of common importance than I remember from my past. Our ability, maybe even our willingness, to hear points of view opposing our own feels practically non-existent. Both sides speak with code words. True listening has gone by the wayside. My perspective, as a veteran, is that we must restart listening to preserve the peace and common good. 

Our nation’s past fascinates me. None of us were at The Constitutional Convention. We rely on available facts. The Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia is one place to see some of these facts. For example, the framers of our constitution spent months listening to one another in order to craft a document that all 39 did sign. But, the constitution could not be perfect. It is manmade. Voting and equality were not "solved".

In 1858 Abraham Lincoln said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand”. He was speaking to our country in his time. But, he was speaking to us today as well. He undoubtably knew that all things would not be solved by our Civil War. There would still be work to do. In fact there will always be work to do. We must work together if we are to solve today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.

It is once again Veteran’s Day. A time to thank those who, like my father, set aside civilian dreams and paychecks and joined others in service to America. No veteran can ever know – at the moment of joining – if they will survive their commitment to our greater good. Yet they join. And we are the better for their commitment and service. 

So as you go forward today, thank the veterans you meet and honor their service by following their example. And, wherever you live, work toward something bigger than you alone.