Alright. Let me begin this with a few words so those reading don't think I hate veterans or something. I'm all in favor of honoring those who are fighting or did fight for our country, regardless of my politics on the subject.
That being said, this shouldn't be a holiday on the calendar that we can say we celebrated because we posted Facebook statuses thanking veterans for all they've done. This is a cop-out and it's trivializing something of critical importance. Even worse is that, within these Facebook updates, we're thanking veterans for asinine things.
"The cost of freedom is never free. To all the men and women that have served, and are currently serving, thank you! It is because of you that I can be on Facebook today :)"
Okay. So besides the obvious issue that this is a status on Facebook, I only take issue with the last third of this update. Seriously. You're thanking veterans for your ability to be on Facebook? I mean, I get it. There are places in our world today where this isn't possible, where liberties are curtailed in egregious ways.
HOWEVER. That doesn't mean we should be reducing the plethora of sacrifices that the men and women who risk their lives for our country are making day in and day out. It's antithetical to what this holiday is supposed to be about. Thanking veterans for the putting their lives on the line.
Really, this should be a daily occurrence. This is similar to my views on Valentine's Day or Mother's/Father's Day. These are things we should be doing each and every day. Telling those we love that we value them. Letting our parents know we value all they've done for us. We shouldn't need some date on the calendar to remind us of the importance of veterans, loved ones, parents.
With this, I implore you to call home if you can, or email a friend, or thank a veteran, for the impact that that person has made on your life thus far. It may not be that time of year according to the calendar, but it should be everyday.
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