Veterans, thanks for America’s freedoms
COMMENTARY
By Emily Baker

Dear America’s Veterans:

I wish to extend my deepest appreciation for what you have done for our country. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have my relatively care-free life.

I have never been to war. I have never had to hide in a hole to eat packaged, dehydrated food while I’m concealing myself from an enemy. I have never had to go through every square centimeter of dirt with a pocketknife before I take a step in order to make sure my leg won’t be blown off by a land mine. I have never had to bathe with baby wipes because I was sent to a country without plumbing. I have never had to sew up a comrade who took a bullet aimed at me. I have never had nightmares caused by screams of wounded and bleeding men.

I have never had to deal with such things because you were willing to take that burden for me.
You have willingly subjected yourself to intense physical and mental training just so I can be free. You separated yourself from your friends and family just so I can be safe. In some cases, you surrendered your health or your life just so I can live how I see fit.

Most of you volunteered for this. Some of you were drafted, but you still stood up to your duty and served courageously. In either case, as President Eisenhower said, “History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.” Just the fact that we are still free some 227 years after this country began proves you are neither weak nor timid.

I get everything America has to offer — so many things much of the rest of the world wishes they could have. What did I do to deserve something so special? I wasn’t even born in this country, but I was fortunate enough to be born to American parents. What makes me more special than someone else halfway around the world that I got to be an American? Absolutely nothing. Even so, you risked your lives to protect lucky me.

You also have given yourselves to bring America’s glories to other countries. People all over the world are just as deserving of freedom as Americans are, and I’m damn proud to be from a country that has the fortitude to bring freedom to others.

You made the sacrifices to ensure my freedom, and you went above and beyond to protect people around the world who couldn’t protect themselves. I am humbled by your courage, your altruism and your dedication.

And I am delighted that there is something I can do for you. I can respect and honor what others have done for me. I can admire the bravery and selflessness of those who are willing to kill and be killed just so I can live oblivious to the world’s pain. I can remember what others have done in my place.

I can promise you this: I will never forget.

With sincerest thanks,

Emily

Emily Baker is a senior news-editorial journalism major from Midland.