Veteran’s Day Editorial

The following was submitted by Republican Congressional Candidate Vaughn Ward:

Today we honor the men and women who are serving and have served our country.  Thanks to their dedication and sacrifice, we all live in the greatest free nation ever enjoyed in this world.  No one has sacrificed more to preserve our Republic and our freedoms.  We owe all of our veterans a great deal of gratitude.
 
As an Iraq combat veteran, I have seen firsthand the sacrifices and determination of our servicemen and women.  I have commanded and battled alongside courageous men, many of whom valiantly gave their life or were badly wounded fighting for a country they dearly loved.  I have returned home to speak with the families of those we lost and seen the unbelievable pain coupled with enormous pride that their son died doing what he loved and defending what he cherished.  
 
Veterans Day is our national day of recognition to say thank you to our sons and daughters who have served our nation in the Armed Forces.  I also believe that Veterans Day is a time to pay tribute and recognize the sacrifices of thousands of families who will not see their father this Thanksgiving or open presents with their mother this Christmas due to deployments.  
 
When our nation commits to a war, the ripple effect encompasses a nation. When I was in Iraq, thousands of Americans sent us candy and toys to hand out to the Iraqi children, school supplies and books to give to their schools. People also sent us pictures and letters of thanks by the hundreds from children of all ages, which we posted around my base.  I cannot tell you the number of times that I saw my Marines and Sailors reading the notes and looking at the pictures that were on the walls from school children and listen to them reminisce about home.  
 
We also received CDs, DVDs, toiletries, magazines, and the list goes on. These seemingly small tokens meant the world to us.  It told us that regardless of the political climate, Americans supported their troops.  
 
Many of you out there made living on the front lines a little easier for us.  So on this Veterans Day, I am also thankful for the countless Americans who brought home a little closer and made us feel appreciated.  These little acts of kindness let us know that our sacrifices were not in vain.  
 
Through untold courage and sacrifice, our Veterans have secured the liberty that the founding fathers sought to establish here in our country.  Whenever the nation has called, in times of darkness and danger as well as in times of peace and prosperity, our veterans have been there.  And they have proudly carried the torch of liberty for all to see.
 
May God bless our veterans, may God bless all who wear the uniform, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Semper Fi,
Vaughn Ward
Major  USMCR