Veterans represent all those who have come before us and died so that we can enjoy freedoms framed by our inspired founders and granted us by God. It’s enough to make you cry when you think about it. We are simply not worthy to be blessed in this way. Our freedoms have been unique in this world for over 200 years, and these folks guard and protect those freedoms on our behalf. They get paid poorly and do this because they feel called and privileged to do so. What does it say about a society that takes those who are permanently physically destroyed by these efforts and not only treats them poorly and spits on their efforts by way of actions, but then attempts to deceive what they have done? God help our society regain our soul.
America is not only in debt financially, by it owes its’ very existence to these folks. In the beginning, at our founding, they were ordinary farmers who picked up the arms they had and stood against the greatest army the world had ever known. And, they died. Many were permanently injured to the extent they wish they had died. They were fighting for a principle, a principle that men could rule themselves. In human history, this was a first – always there had been one who raised armies with money, killed a bunch of people and ruled them with an iron fist. God made us individuals, self-aware, and with the ability to think. Yet, we were never truly free. Think about these first patriots and the audacity of what they were doing. Would you have joined them?
After the miracle of our founding, we became the beacon of freedom in this world. We called on young men to defend these freedoms again and again. First against the King again as he tried once more to take back what he felt was his. Then, we had a disagreement over the institution of slavery that had divided us and threatened to destroy not only our national unity, but also our birth of freedom. Over 500,000 of us died to settle the issue and establish that freedom cannot exist where the people have no moral rudder. We also owe these people, who gave us America – again. We prospered. Then, we sent our young men to Europe twice. We did this to save them from themselves, to establish freedom there, and to ensure their evil did not reach our shores. Do you think we owe them as well? Of course we do.
There are countless other struggles where threats to freedom have existed and we asked our young men to stand up for us. They’ve always been there. Families that have permanent scars exist all over our country. We must honor that sacrifice. Founding Father John Adams said it best – “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
It is simply immoral to treat our veterans as we have. We must re-prioritize how we care for them. First, we must value and honor our freedom to frame this issue properly. When we honor our freedom, we must also humble ourselves before our God giving thanks to Him for it. I have many relatives among the group who, when asked who will give themselves so others may have freedom, said “I will”. They are not a line item on a budget. They are the reason we have a budget at all.
The John Myers - Critical Thinkers Only 