Monday Morning Boost: Honoring Our Veterans Who Stood To Defend
Nestled throughout the sacred grounds of cemeteries across the country — and on scarred battlefields scattered around the world — our military veterans lie at rest.
Our veterans also walk amongst us every day… our neighbors, our friends, our family members.
Unfortunately, some of us may not know a veteran. They, and every veteran, are the reason I will share a few stories today.
I pause to honor and remember each of those who “Stood to Defend.”
“Some people live an entire lifetime,” President Ronald Regan said, “and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world…”
“A veteran,” he continued, “does not have that problem.”
On this Veterans Day, may our hearts be filled with gratitude and love for those who have served our country.
Some served in peacetime. Some served during combat but not in combat zones. Some served in combat zones but did not engage in what may be defined as actual combat. Some engaged in actual combat.
They each served. They each swore their allegiance to the Constitution.
We honor and remember each of those who “Stood to Defend.”
May we always honor their courage. May we always remember their sacrifice. May we never forget those who didn’t come home.
Among those who didn’t come home are three friends, three brothers in arms…
- Army Major Brent Taylor who was the Mayor of North Ogden at the time he was killed in Afghanistan.
- Marine Lance Corporal Michael Allred, a close friend who lies now in permanent rest in Hyde Park, the place I call home.
- Army Sergeant First Class Ron Wood, who I served with while deployed to Iraq, the details of that day are forever etched in my heart.
For those who on the battlefields of war offered up the utmost sacrifice, from these “honored dead” as President Abraham Lincoln softly spoke at Gettysburg, may “we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion–that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain…”
We honor and remember each of those who “Stood to Defend.”
Every day 22 military veterans are killed by suicide. Two of these were men I served with in Iraq, wounded by the mental scars of combat.
- Army Specialist Sheldon Loveless
- Army Sergeant First Class Clyde Kramme who I first met when we deployed and who became a good friend.
They and each of the 22 veterans are the comrades we must never leave behind.
We honor and remember each of those who “Stood to Defend.”
There are many “Unsung Heroes” who have served our country but have fallen through the cracks and have been forgotten. Unsung Heroes include the homeless veterans who have died without being honored. Unsung Heroes are those who have served but have lost the battle to the darkness of PTSD, trauma, addiction, and mental illness. Unsung heroes are the comrades we must never leave behind.
I penned the following words as a tribute to honor each who has Stood to Defend.
THEY STOOD TO DEFEND
By Les Patterson
At a desk or on a ship
In the mud or in the air
Veterans our country served
They stood to defend.
Allegiance forged
Sworn in Constitutional words
Against all enemies
They stood to defend.
That ultimate price
Laid upon the altars of freedom
They were willing to pay
They stood to defend.
Ruffles and Flourishes
Our Flag’s banners unfurled
The charge to lead
They stood to defend.
Be it peacetime or war
Each veteran who served
Is a veteran to honor
They stood to defend.
May our gratitude be eternal
Nor shall we ever forget
Our honor to always remember
They who stood to defend.
RED EDGE LIVE VETERANS WEEK SPECIAL
Sharing the stories of those who Stood to Defend is truly an honor. I will have this honor twice this week on Veterans Day to speak at two schools my children attended here in Cache Valley, Woodruff Elementary and North Park Elementary.
Last week’s Red Edge Live was also an opportunity to share some of these stories. Perhaps you will enjoy my thoughts. Click the photo for the link.
As we pause to remember on this sacred Veterans Day, may we each find our way to honor and remember each of those who “Stood to Defend.”
God Bless Our Military and Our Veterans, God Bless Our Beautiful Communities, and God Bless our Beautiful country, The United States of America.
Have a great Monday! Thanks for letting me share.
Les
p.s. Take 13 minutes today to honor and remember those who Stood to Defend.
