It is absolutely mind boggling to think that every single member of the United States Military is there by choice.
In the past, it was a mix of those who wanted to be in the military with others who were there because of a draft.
But with the draft no longer an issue, there isn’t a single woman or man fighting for this country who isn’t doing so by choice.
And what an amazing thing that is — that everyone who fights so that we might be free — does so on their own accord.
And so it is with great ease, this Nov. 11, in a year filled with so much unknown — so much we’re not used to at all — that we pause to say thank you to each and every veteran who has put on a uniform to fight for our country and for our freedom.
Those of us who have never served could ever begin to imagine the sacrifices made, on a daily basis, by all who have served this nation militarily. But we know those sacrifices are real, they are made by free will and without reservation and the are made so we don’t have to.
Is there a greater gift given to this country than that of the women and men who serve?
Is there a greater sacrifice a human being could make other than to say, “I will put myself in harm’s way for my fellow woman and man?”
Is there anything greater than what a veteran does (or an actively-serving military person does)?
On this Veterans Day, we say thank you to all the living veterans of our nation’s military. And though this day is for those no longer serving, we say thank you to all who are serving. We are grateful for the many sacrifices you all make for our country. And yet somehow, saying “thank you” hardly seems enough.
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.