Open letter to veterans

By Charlotte Boquist

Dear veterans:

I salute you, the men and women who bought my freedom. It is not possible to isolate one veteran. The life I enjoy today is the result of two hundred and 50-plus years of determined and courageous protection by hundreds of thousands of men and women. Many of whom paid dearly so that I can live the life I enjoy today.

I salute the handful of men who were on Bunker Hill and stood up to the English soldiers, and vicariously to King George, the most powerful ruler in the world at the time.

I salute the soldiers who fought for freedom, even when they were called to stand against their brothers in a conflict that nearly tore our country apart. 

I salute the brave men who marched off to the “War to end All Wars,” and the many Johnnies who didn’t march back home again. The terrible bloody conflict was ended on November 11, 1918 by the signing of an armistice.  For years after, America celebrated Armistice Day, as a day to remember.

I salute the veterans of World War ll , the 1,100 sailors that lie entombed on the “Arizona” in the waters of Pearl Harbor – and that was just the beginning, the many, many lives lost on Omaha Beach and all over the world, and  the service men wounded in body and spirit.

I salute the veterans of the Korean Police Action in which my husband served in the Army-close behind that came Viet Nam when my son Paul put in his time. Desert Storm next, my grandson Jeff was in the Coast Guard during that skirmish. Then came Iraq. 

Still we are at war- in Afghanistan. I have two great –grandsons in the service, Steve who is in the Air Force and Kelly in the Army. There seems to be a war for every generation. 

Somewhere along the way Armistice Day became Veterans Day - the day to remember All Veterans who have kept us free and the Stars and Stripes flying. 

Thank you, thank you all!