We honored the Veteran's Tuesday

I just received an email a few minutes ago that contained a salute to veterans that appears to have been circulating for a number of years.  Sadly, although his intentions were noble  the words he forwarded seem condescending....

I just received an email a few minutes ago that contained a tribute to veterans that appears to have been circulating for a number of years.  Sadly, although his intentions were noble  the words he forwarded seem condescending.

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,
who has given us 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,
who serves under the Flag.

I appreciate the sentiment my friend was trying to express, and acknowledge a debt of gratitude to veterans.  However, the words he forwarded belittle the efforts of all those groups (preacher, reporter, lawyer, etc.) to protect our rights.  

Sadly, veterans are often pawns in wars that have nothing at all to do with freedom or what is right.  I salute them for service to their country, service without question, whether in the cause of freedom and human dignity or in the service of those driven by greed and ego.  

May we the people, the real guardians of our freedoms, strive to ensure that we send our soldiers to battle only when the cause is just.  IMHO, the results of the election Tuesday are the greatest salute we could have given to veterans.