To those who’ve served
As a child growing up in San Diego Memorial Day was just an “extra long weekend”, which mainly consisted on family gatherings per usual or mom would take us to Tijuana to visit our grandparents. Either way it was always a win-win. I am first generation Mexican-American, all of my cousins and I were. So no family members had ever served in any branch. I was in first grade when 9/11 happened, frightened by the scenes on television just like everyone across the world but still very young to grasp what was really going on. Until I reached high school and Army recruiters would start to show up for the senior class but would get information in passing, would really get into historic details of each War, the devastation War causes and most importantly the life’s that are loss in a battlefield or civilians.
Embarrassed to admit but in middle school I was so dumb and naive I didn’t get the concept of enlisting. I thought it was optional. Yes it may be but for so many families it is a duty to serve your country and fight for our great nation. A duty that goes many generations deep. So days like today and Veterans Day I find myself going to that feeling of realization it is bigger than that and a selfless act of every American that steps into those boots, every service uniform, and takes an oath to protect our great nation.
About five years ago my oldest nephew enlisted in the Army and it really hit all of us, hard. We cried, we began to worry, and would panic every time he would get deployed. Thankfully he did not re enlist in time for this current Iran vs. Israel/USA War and his service is completed. But he has a cousin, I see his mothers’ posts on social media, and that hurts to watch every time I see it. To every parent, wife, husband, and child who currently have an active duty family member, I pray for their safety every night, pray they return home very soon and that we’re done with these endless Wars for years to come.
Something that upset me today when on social media was the “we are the terrorists” “died in service for the Israel agenda” comments. God knows we all feel a certain way about our government, I sure as heck have my own opinions but we must stop spreading that vile rhetoric. Please do better, days like today we remember those brave fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price. Whose parents, partners, and children never got to welcome them back with hugs and kisses. Stop being so tone deaf and please grow a little empathy for those who have lost a loved one for our Country. You can always move to the one you’re more loyal to after all. Our great nation has certainly seen better days, she’s a little beat up at this moment but I still believe she is worth fighting for, on the battle field and within these borders.
So to all the families of those fallen soldiers God bless you and thank you to all who have fought for our great Nation.
