Say it with Gratitude

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY! Here on the Holy Roller Express we like to honor everyone for their contributions. Now, veterans are so important to our economic and political systems because they literally back up our national and individual interests here and abroad. It's easy to overlook them as individuals when we celebrate a day given in their honor. I'd like to propose a few ways to show our gratitude and appreciation on a much more personal level. Try to mention the veteran's branch of service, years of service, or specific experiences to make what you're saying more personal. Convey genuine gratitude and appreciation for their service and the sacrifices they made. Use appropriate terms, respectful language, and avoid making assumptions about their experiences. Now that we've got that out of the way, here's just a taste of what your veterans had to endure. They come home with post-traumatic stress disorder. They miss out on valuable family moments and lose important relationships. They make life changing decisions in the blink of an eye, and they live with it. They suffer from all manner of mental disorders related to combat. Many will endure traumatic brain injuries, hearing loss, and illnesses cause by toxic exposure. They can also face difficulty adjusting to civilian life, navigating complex benefit systems and gaining access to healthcare, potential employment struggles, and the long lasting effects of traumatic experiences from their military service once they have left the service. Listen, it really doesn't end there. Any of these issues and more can show up years later and affect these service men and women at any stage of life. Veterans may lose jobs or face crises. New veteran populations—women, minorities, LGBTQ+ and others—may face inequities. Everything civilians deal with plus dozens of other added pressures daily. To say that they don't fight for freedom is a slap in the face to anyone that lives here. To any one that stands, sits, or walks on American ground. You are welcome to be a conscientious objector. In fact, you can apply to be one and any person who is granted an exemption as a Conscientious Objector to all military service shall participate in civilian work contributing to the maintenance of the national health, safety, or interest of the United States. I think that sounds pretty fair, as long as all the systems are in working order. Now don't get me wrong, I wish with all my heart that countries didn't choose to settle disputes by sending their own citizens to murder and be murdered by others. But unless we want to be caught with our hands tied behind our backs, we truly rely on the service these men and women offer. Thank you to our Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Thank you Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Because of you, I get to write anything I want. God bless you