Today is Veteran's Day, and in my small Ohio community, as in many like it across the nation, members of the VFW and American Legion gather at the courthouse square in tribute to those who have taken up arms in defense of the country. I participate in these ceremonies as a member of a small community band. We gather, hands shaking and teeth chattering in the November chill, to play a few marches and then the National Anthem for the Presentation of Colors.
I participate also as the child of a WWII veteran. One of my dearest possessions is a letter that my father wrote to me on my first birthday. A radioman in the Army Air Corps stationed on Guam at as a part of the 331st Bombardment Group, he had not been home for my birth, and only once in the months thereafter; indeed, I would be almost two years old before he came home again, to stay.
Driving home from the courthouse square this Veteran's Day, fresh off the emotional high of serving as a Neighborhood Team Leader in the Obama Campaign for Change, I saw a message board that read, "Freedom Isn't Free. Thank a Vet." And I thought of my dad's letter again.
The envelope is light gray, with red and blue stripes along the bottom and a red "Par Avion" in the corner. Inside, in black ink on onion skin paper, my father's words once more come alive for me:
Guam
July 30, 1945
Dear Susan:
Just a letter from your Dad who is very sorry that he cannot be with you to celebrate your first birthday. But I know that someday you will understand why he wasn't around to watch your eyes light up at the sight of your first birthday cake.
You see, Susan, right now your Dad is trying to do his bit to see that the world of tomorrow -- your world -- is the kind of world that it should be, one that is free in every sense of the word.
Unfortunately such a world cannot be gained merely by wishing. One must work for such a life and, having attained that way of life it must always be guarded against those who would take it away from you. That's what I'm helping to do now and why I can't be with you today -- trying to guard our freedom, yours, your mommy's, and my own.
At the present time there are people in the world who would take that freedom from us. Through scheming and treachery they attempted to take our heritage away from us but even now the last of the robbers is going down in a maelstrom of fire and death. Through God and His Blessing on us we have triumphed; never forget that!
In the days to come, in your world there also will be those who would deprive you of your precious freedom. Be ever on the watch for them! When someone attempts to take your God-Given freedom from you you have but one course -- to resist! For once you have lost your freedom, you have lost everything!
Remember too that the robbers will try to take your freedom not only by force but by schemes, flattery and a million other ways. It is better to be free and hungry rather than well-fed and a slave. Be ever alert!
Even today in our own country many are not free. That is the task that faces your generation. It is a brisk challenge. I know that you shall succeed.
So, daughter of mine, happy birthday! And tonight your Daddy is praying that, God willing, come birthday number two he will be home to help you celebrate the occasion.
Your loving
Dad
He was.
And in person, as in his letter, he taught me well: Freedom isn't free; you must resist; you will succeed.
Thanks, Dad.
YES, WE DID!
Thank a Vet.