This Veteran’s Day, like all others, you and I will hear that statement repeated countless times to the so called “men and women in service to our country.” They are credited with “keeping our country free” and securing America from people who hate our way of life. But while security is important to a free society, the military that was established to defend the Constitution is currently undermining the bounds intended by the founding fathers by occupying over 150 countries with a US military presence.
There is no doubt that there are people in the world disgusted by American people, but I’ll leave it up to you to decide if they hate us for McDonalds and freedom, or for a government that can’t stay out of foreigner’s lives. Despite the foreign and domestic threats to personal freedom, who is really responsible for the privileged life most of us are lucky to live here?
To the garbage collectors, custodians, entrepreneurs in cleaning service, and others involved in keeping the rest of our homes and workplaces clean: Thank you for your service.
To the mechanics, plumbers, electricians, roofers, painters, and others that have the skills to keep our cars safe, our appliances running, our buildings solid, and our lives better: Thank you for your service.
To the musicians, artists, filmmakers, actors, and others dedicated to providing entertainment in our homes and towns: Thank you for your service.
To the doctors, nurses, therapists, and the other hard working members of the government-bogged, understaffed, over-demanded medical facilities of this country that offer invaluable care to Americans: Thank you for your service.
To restaurant owners, waiters and waitresses, fast food workers, chefs and managers who allow us to treat ourselves to a night eating out: Thank you for your service.
To preachers, councilors, funeral home workers, wedding planners, financial advisors and others that will stand and help in times of extreme grieving, happiness, or stress in our lives: Thank you for your service.
To truck drivers, factory production workers, loaders and un-loaders, overnight stock boys, and others that keep products moving around the country: Thank you for your service.
To the volunteers of this country that donate their spare time to churches, charities, non-profit organizations, and the less fortunate citizens in our society: Thank you for your service.
To the single parents, workers of multiple jobs, those in less than comfortable living, and others that have learned the meaning of hard work just to pay a bill: Thank you for your dedication and your service.
And to the city workers collecting property taxes from homeowners in debt, the state workers demanding vehicle registration for cars people struggle to keep running, the municipal workers who pass the buck on responsibility to the next higher bureaucrat in line, and the rest of the people in this society who’s income is derived from the coercion of the rest: Isn’t it time you served?