 I have no idea how this tradition was started, or by whom. It is such a
wonderful idea and being a Veteran, I for one really appreciate the
remembrance of service. America is a country of services in almost every
walk of life. Services are offered in corporate America and in the volunteer
sector. People volunteer in service groups, churches, day cares, nursing
homes, residential services for individuals with disabilities, homeless
centers, recreational centers, Boy and Girl Scouts, hospitals, schools and
almost every other charitable concern imaginable. Americans are generous
people and giving is a part of life.
Another characteristic of Americanism is freedom. The country was founded on
the ideals and principles of each individual being free and enjoying the
rights that God has given. So much so that our own Congress declared on July
4, 1776 that "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, and they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness."
With the foundational values of volunteerism and Creator-given unalienable
Rights of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, Americans have
traditionally marched off to foreign countries when called. From the
"Midnight Ride" in the American Revolution to the latest Afghanistan War,
Iraq, or even the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Americans have
listened to the siren calls of warning that the country was in danger and
freedom was being threatened. They have lined up to endure the rigors of
training, hardships of interrupted lives, separations from families, entry
into foreign lands, open risk of enemy fire, reality of capture, and the
great possibility of sacrificing their lives to preserve freedom for
everyone. Aside from justice and continued freedom, the greatest commodity
produced by wars is the American Veteran.
Each war beginning with the American Revolution, War of 1812, Mexican War,
Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War,
Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Afghanistan War, Iraq War, and now, even the
new war of terrorists calling themselves ISIS or ISIL has produced tens of
thousands of Veterans. These Veterans have received mixed welcomes after
their service in hard-fought wars.
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 Animosity against Southern fighters lasted for many years
following the American Civil war. Returning Veterans from the
Vietnam War were met with harsh responses from Americans who were
war-weary. Some were even spat upon and demeaned as they tried to
re-assimilate into the American mainstream. In contrast, modern
Americans have turned the corner on respect and revere related to
Veterans since the darker days of post-Vietnam.
An all-volunteer military of the modern times has tapped into the
patriotism of Americans in general. Vietnam caused a slight
derailment in the American bedrock of Democracy, freedom and
independence, but citizens, by and large, have now returned to their
heritage upon which our nation was founded. Young men and women have
gathered beyond the military's quotas and have volunteered for
service in all branches of the military. Honor, duty and the "no man
left behind" collective thinking has prevailed in all branches of
military service and the Veterans leaving their tours of duty have
demonstrated that higher calling and determination by infusing back
into the National consciousness the reality of who we are as
Americans and what we owe our Veterans.
I believe the organizers of the Branson Shows and the Chamber of
that city have absolutely done the right thing to show their respect
to the Military Veterans and I applaud them for their continued
efforts. I would like to think that each Veteran who stands when
asked at each of those shows look around and immediately knows,
without a doubt, these are my brothers with whom I have shared one
of the greatest responsibilities of my life, and one of the greatest
blessings to have contributed to the continued preservation of the
American dream of freedom, justice and independence.
Jim Killebrew, Veteran, United States Air Force
[By JIM KILLEBREW]
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