Giving a talk on Veterans Day to a local high school assembly
Was sort of at a loss for words as I thought about what to say.
Decided to focus on the theme of service. Not just military. Thinking about the service that comes after people get out: teachers, first responders, etc
Was sort of at a loss for words as I thought about what to say.
Decided to focus on the theme of service. Not just military. Thinking about the service that comes after people get out: teachers, first responders, etc
Military service is not the end all and be all of most of our lives. It's a defining moment, sure, but it's often merely a chapter heading
So, do we continue to serve? Or do we request that society serve us, by giving us the sobriquet of "true patriots"
So, do we continue to serve? Or do we request that society serve us, by giving us the sobriquet of "true patriots"
I would argue that no, veterans should be against this very idea of the military being held up as a special separate class precisely because we served to protect those ideas that all are created equal, that all have a chance to succeed; that all have value.
But I'm just an idealist, what do I know
A cynical idealist, but an idealist all the same
I believe in the promise of the United States - who we should be
I believe in the idea of the US Army - what it could be
I believe we all have a duty to be kind & to serve
A cynical idealist, but an idealist all the same
I believe in the promise of the United States - who we should be
I believe in the idea of the US Army - what it could be
I believe we all have a duty to be kind & to serve
Service comes in a multitude of forms. We all have to find out own calling. One is not necessarily superior to another.
Veterans Day is a day to celebrate ordinary Americans, some of whom have done extraordinary things. But at the heart of it all is the idea of service.
Veterans Day is a day to celebrate ordinary Americans, some of whom have done extraordinary things. But at the heart of it all is the idea of service.
