Veterans Day

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rick and the license plate

We have lived in our current house for 16 years.  And for the entire 16 years, Paul has been our UPS man. One day this summer, a different driver stopped by. I asked if Paul was on vacation and would be back soon. The driver told me that Paul had retired, and said that he is the new driver for our route.  I introduced myself, and so did he. His name is Rick.

Then Rick asked about the car in the driveway. It belongs to my uncle and his wife, who were visiting us. In fact, they were standing in the driveway with me and Peter when Rick drove up. So we were all there together when Rick asked about the car.

Now let me say, this is a pretty snazzy car.  It is brand new, very shiny, custom painted, convertible sports car. It is very noticeable. So, no one was surprised when Rick asked whose car it was. My uncle acknowledged that it belonged to him and his wife.

My uncle is not an extravagant person at all. But, boy, does he love cars! For decades he owned a vintage sports car and proudly shared photos of the shows he entered her in and the awards she won. He is used to people admiring his cars.

So when Rick asked about the car, everyone knew that his next comment would be “cool car,” or something like that. 

But here is what Rick actually said: “Thank you for your service.”

The purple heart on the license plate. That is what Rick saw.

My uncle nodded his acknowledgement to Rick. Hearts lurched.

This Thursday, November 11, is Veterans Day. There will be parades, honors, speeches, community dinners, moving ceremonies. These are important observances. They show gratitude. They raise awareness and they raise funds.

On this day, people who are not part of the military community will notice things that they usually pass by without seeing: the POW/MIA signs at town lines, the Veterans of Foreign Wars community buildings, the statues and plaques and memorials in parks. They will make donations to organizations that assist disabled veterans, house un-homed veterans, provide veterans with service dogs.

Perhaps they will become aware of the broken Veteran’s Affairs health care program and take action to improve it. They may learn for the first time that Indigenous Americans serve at a higher rate than any other group.

These are good things. The attention and donations these issues receive on Veterans Day bolsters their budgets so they can do the daily work or supporting veterans.

Because that is what is needed: health care and social care systems that function reliably to provide Veterans with the sustained, meaningful support they have earned. Day after day, month after month, year after year.

One day of accolades is not commensurate with the sacrifices soldiers have made. Camping for weeks in muddy fields. Wearing wet boots day in and day out. Sweltering in hot and humid summers, freezing in cold and windy winters. Missing the births of their children, the deaths of people they love. Suffering. PTSD. Enduring.

Rick knows: Every day is the right day to honor our veterans.

So yes, let’s spend today saying thank you to Veterans and supporting organizations that serve Veterans.

Let’s remember those missing in action and held as prisoners of war, and their anguished families.

And then let’s do it again tomorrow. And the day after that. And every day after that. And all the days after that.

Here’s to you, Rick, with thanks for your example.

Here’s to you, Uncle H and Aunt J, with thanks for your service and sacrifices!

Love,