A time to give thanks Published Nov. 24, 2009 By Lt. Col. Diana Hajek 30th Weather Squadron commander VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- November is a time of reflection for most of us. What November really impresses upon me, though, is the freedom that we enjoy every day in our great country because of those who made it possible and those that continue to do so. It starts with celebrating Veterans Day and ends with being grateful for all that we have been blessed with during Thanksgiving Day. President Wilson declared Nov. 11, 1919, as Armistice Day to commemorate those who were killed during World War I and to celebrate our victory one year after the armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect. Following World War II and the Korean War, President Eisenhower officially changed the name to Veterans Day to celebrate all veterans. When I think of the word "veteran," I think of someone who chose to serve because of their patriotism, love of country and willingness to sacrifice so that we can live in peace. When I think of the word "veteran," I think of my father-in-law, Bud Hajek, who volunteered to join the Army during the Vietnam War. Private First Class Hajek, a 19-year-old in the 23rd Infantry Division, was presented the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for uncommon valor for his actions during an intense ambush with the enemy in North Vietnam on May 6, 1968. After two days of continuous enemy fire, his unit tried to evade the enemy and instead walked into a wooded area where they were ambushed. The enemy fire was too heavy, so they lost many men and several helicopters that came in to resupply and evacuate the wounded. Private Hajek was miraculously able to carry his wounded lieutenant through the intense fire to a helicopter which evacuated him out of the area, saving his life. He then returned to help other members in his unit until he was finally blown out of a foxhole. It took him five months in the hospital to recover, but he was able to overcome his injuries. When I think of veterans, I also think of the rest of my family who chose to serve: my father, who retired from the Army; my brother and husband, who served as Army medics; and my sister and brother-in-law, who recently retired from the Navy. I am extremely proud to be a part of this military family that has defended our freedom, but am also grateful to our founders, our first veterans, who paved the way for our great nation. In 1620, religious Puritan separatists who wanted to escape religious persecution sailed more than 3,000 miles through raging storms to this country for their freedom. The Pilgrims arrived during winter, making it extremely difficult for them to find food and build shelter. Already weakened by their two-month voyage, many of them died during the first few months they arrived. Fortunately, native people called Wampanoag or "eastern peoples," already lived in area and helped the Pilgrims survive by sharing their local knowledge. Thanksgiving Day stems from the feast held in the autumn of 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag to celebrate the colony's first successful harvest, but it did not become a national holiday until many years later. In 1789, President Washington created the first Thanksgiving Day to thank God for the opportunity to form a peaceful government, but it wasn't until 1863 that President Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be celebrated on the final Thursday in November. He called upon Americans to praise God, heal the wounds of the nation, and restore "peace, harmony, tranquility and Union" ... to restore freedom. Americans have celebrated Thanksgiving every year since then. Our nation has changed in many ways since the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. Our people have prospered, our nation has grown and we have obtained our freedom, but not without a price. Millions of lives lost in the Civil War, world wars and our current conflicts remind us that freedom is not free. Please take the time this month to reflect upon the sacrifices of the men and women who made our great nation what it is today and help others appreciate the freedom we have earned, not just during this Thanksgiving, but each and every day.