Yesterday, of course, was Veteran’s Day, 2012. In light of this, I thought I would post a rather straightforward little item in honor of all the men and women who have so faithfully served out country down through the years. It is titled simply “It is the Veteran”.
It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,
Who has given us the freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,
Who has given us the freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet,
Who has given us the freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN…
Who salutes the Flag.
It is the VETERAN…
Who serves under the Flag.
It is the VETERAN…
Who is buried under the Flag.*
Please let me take this opportunity to join with millions of other Americans and say a word of sincere appreciation to each and every person who has ever served in our Armed Forces. All that we hold dear is due to you and your willingness to sacrifice. Thank you!
*NOTE: This piece occurs widely all over the internet. It also comes in several variations. My own source was a printed version found in an old church bulletin. Moreover, the authorship appears to be disputed. It is most often attributed to a certain "Father Dennis Edward O'Brien", who had been a member of the United States Marine Corp. Cf.: http://www.semperficatholic.com/page4.html.
Now, as might be expected, his authorship is disputed. Cf.: http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1116-30.htm. However, the real concern here seems to be over the message being communicated by the piece rather than the validity of its authorship.
It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,
Who has given us the freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,
Who has given us the freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet,
Who has given us the freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN…
Who salutes the Flag.
It is the VETERAN…
Who serves under the Flag.
It is the VETERAN…
Who is buried under the Flag.*
Please let me take this opportunity to join with millions of other Americans and say a word of sincere appreciation to each and every person who has ever served in our Armed Forces. All that we hold dear is due to you and your willingness to sacrifice. Thank you!
*NOTE: This piece occurs widely all over the internet. It also comes in several variations. My own source was a printed version found in an old church bulletin. Moreover, the authorship appears to be disputed. It is most often attributed to a certain "Father Dennis Edward O'Brien", who had been a member of the United States Marine Corp. Cf.: http://www.semperficatholic.com/page4.html.
Now, as might be expected, his authorship is disputed. Cf.: http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1116-30.htm. However, the real concern here seems to be over the message being communicated by the piece rather than the validity of its authorship.