Sock it to ‘em!

“Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.” General George S. Patton

There are heroes all around us. They live among us, work among us, raise families among us, and quietly go about life without bringing attention to their sacrifice on our behalf.

America’s veterans are the reason we can enjoy a national day of thanksgiving. America’s veterans are the reason we can have a peaceful presidential election. America’s veterans are the reason our Bill of Rights is still intact.

And, despite the antics of John Kerry and his three questionable Purple Hearts, the ACLU’s anti-American and anti-God agendas, the blame-America-first crowd, and the immorality of Hollywood and their support of the political left, America remains free because of the sacrifice of the quiet heroes among us.

Unfortunately, even during this time of a multiple-front war, our veterans and their sacrifices are often ignored by the people in general and the political power-brokers specifically.

For example, take a drive from the blue-collar town of San Antonio, Texas, to the state capitol in Austin and, as you travel northward, one will quickly notice the ever decreasing number of disabled veteran, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, etc. license plates. Walk into any store in these two towns and you will quickly realize that there are a plethora of war-related amputees in San Antone, but one is hard-pressed to find any in Austin.

Why?

Because veterans do not congregate in political power bases. Veterans live among the people they served. And, unlike the cry-baby nanny-staters, veterans live life on life’s terms.

With this in mind, the question today is simple: What have you done to thank the men and women who provide the very freedoms you enjoy? Conversely, what have you done to minimize their sacrifice?

Have you supported the reduction of monetary support to the Veteran’s Administration? Have you driven by a homeless vet because you suspect their panhandling is dishonest? Have you been too busy to collect old clothing for donation to numerous veterans organizations? Have you looked the other way when passing by a veteran with a burned face, missing limbs, or in a wheelchair? Have you failed to teach your children about the personal sacrifices in war, despite your opposition to the war?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are ungrateful and one has to question just who you think made sacrifices on your behalf. Barack Obama? Hillary Clinton? Bill Clinton? Barney Frank?

In reality, none of the aforementioned, along with the overwhelming majority of leftists, ever made any sacrifices on our behalf. They are all self-serving, arrogant, nanny-staters who disdain the military while simultaneously spewing their bile courtesy of the amputee, blind, and homeless veterans among us.

However, that doesn’t mean you have to join the ranks of the ungrateful.

Instead, you can actively support those who sacrificed on your behalf.

Here are a few suggestions.

First, you can volunteer your time with a number of different veterans organizations or even donate money to them. There is a list on the sidebar of my other blog.

Secondly, if you are living adjacent to a military base, you can invite a single service-member to this year’s Christmas celebration and next year’s Thanksgiving meal. The military seeks such sponsors in the community every year.

Third, you can quit being so stingy and, if you see a vet panhandling, give him or her some money, even if you think the person is running a scam, which is between that individual and God. Who knows, you might even be entertaining an angel.

Fourth, become politically involved by ensuring your local representative and US Senators know you support veterans and expect them to represent your wishes on Capitol Hill.

Fifth, contact your local hospitals or, if you are nearby, your local military and veterans administration hospitals to see what the veterans need. 

Sixth, if you live near a military cemetery, attend the annual events. Take your children with you and teach them about the human cost of war, the legacy of freedom provided by the veteran, and the fundamental reason for the federal government–to provide for the common defense. It doesn’t matter if you agree with an administration’s military policies. Many active service members and veterans disagree or have disagreed in the past but, except for the actions of a few the press has identified, these men and women have done their duty on your behalf despite their personal political beliefs.

Seventh, talk with your neighbors. Ask them if they’ve ever served in the military. Chances are there’s at least one veteran in proximity to you. When you find that person, invite them for coffee. Ask them about their service. If you’ve never chatted with a vet, you will be surprised at their grasp of the political process and their candid answers.

Eighth, if you see an amputee, wheelchair-bound, or burned vet, don’t turn away. Look them straight in the eye, extend your hand (if they have one) or place your hand on their shoulder, and give them a simple “thank you.” You will be amazed at the emotionally-healing power of those two words, and every vet who has suffered traumatic physical injury has a lot of emotional and psychologically-associated injury as well.

Ninth, don’t think that the absence of physical injuries you can see means a vet hasn’t suffered. Injuries to the brain, the psyche, and unseen bullet, fragmentation, and war-zone accident injuries affect a large number of veterans. Again, this is where engagement in conversation with veterans will result in some very candid answers, but you have to be willing to be sincere.

Tenth, get involved with a Gold Star chapter. There are parents and spouses who have lost loved ones they relied upon. Young widows with young children are especially vulnerable, and their sacrifice is a life-long sacrifice.

Lastly, there are very simple things you can do anytime. For example, the Bikers for Christ chapter I ride with has an annual “Sock it to ‘em” campaign, in which we hand out new pairs of socks to the homeless. At least 10% of the country’s homeless are veterans, so I know I have a 1 in 10 chance of running into a fellow veteran. Not only is this a great opportunity to share the Gospel, but many of us “spike” the socks we distribute with cash for the holidays. Now I realize this may be far outside some people’s comfort zone, but there are other more “behind the scenes” ways to support veterans. You can read Bob Owens’ article here for some ideas.

Meantime, don’t ever hesitate to “Thank a Vet.”