They were willing to die for their country, though they did not want to die.
Some of them were called upon to do so. Some might have died, but were fortunate enough to live — if the memories and scars of the pain and fear and hardship could be considered good fortune. Others were fortunate enough that only their tireless service and discipline were demanded.
They are the veterans of this country.
My dad served on the heavy cruiser USS Toledo in peacetime, between Korea and Viet Nam. As a Lieutenant JG, he commanded the #2 8″ gun turret. He never, so far as I know, was in actual combat. But he could have been. He could have been called upon to kill others, to order others into danger, and to die himself.
I don’t know if I have that sort of courage. Because of his service, and the service of so many others, I hope I never have to find out.
Think, today, about the veterans around you. That’s what today is for.
My paternal grandfather was in WWII, almost lost his foot when he drove over a landmine in a jeep.
My maternal grandfather and grandmother were in Korea.
My dad was a Navy Coreman over in VietNam. He was in the front line with the marines, saw a lot of combat, saw a lot of death.
War is not pretty, but I am thankful and proud that they did what they did.
I have other vets in my family. My grand-uncle Bruno, who just passed away, saw action in Italy during WWII. Another grand-uncle served in the Pacific. A cousin of mine was in Nam. All bore the scars of those experiences in their own way.
For the record (since I mangled it a bit above), my Uncle Bruno was the one who served in Italy on the front lines. My Uncle Corado was a ship welder in Hawaii. And my Uncle Edo served in the Army guarding the Aleutian Is.