Of freedom and those who pay its price Published Nov. 6, 2008 By Chief Master Sgt. (Retired) Norm Marous Retiree Activities Office director VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Not all holidays are created equal. I believe that some have much greater significance than others; among them are Veteran's Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day, days set aside for honoring those who paid the price of freedom. Those who, like the prophet Isaiah, stepped forward and said, "Here am I ... send me!" What will you be doing on Nov. 11 and why does it matter? The original name of the holiday we are about to commemorate was "Armistice Day." It celebrated the signing of "The Armistice," the document that formally ended World War I ... originally known as "The World War," because there had never been another. It was signed at 1100 hours, on Nov. 11, 1918. That is ... the 11th hour ... of the 11th day ... of the 11th month, hence a celebration on 11-11 ... at 1100 hours! "The World War" veterans were honored on that day and many people believed that it was the "War that would end all wars." That belief obviously proved incorrect. Little more than two decades later, we were on the brink of what became the Second World War; forever changing the name of what had been known as "The World War" to World War I. Only about five years after that we were involved in the Korean conflict and the national leadership realized the sad truth, that ... "Only the dead have seen the end of war." In 1954 congress passed and President Dwight David Eisenhower signed, legislation changing the name of "Armistice Day" to "Veterans Day," making it a holiday to honor all who have served the nation in uniform; to include active, Guard, Reserve, retired and all prior service ... regardless of length. For many of our citizens, these holidays are mainly seen as opportunities to have picnics or cook-outs, go to the beach or on a brief trip, while others see them only as shopping days with "good sales." Each year, I encourage people to set aside a portion of the day to honor those who paid the price of freedom and then, if they choose, to go ahead with leisure activities. I am saddened to realize that there are millions of Americans who will not take time for remembrance, and even more dismayed by the fact that some of them wear or have worn "the uniform," or are military family members. How is it possible that we would fail to take time to honor our own comrades and former comrades-in-arms? On Independence Day we honor those who had the courage to risk their lives by declaring that this was indeed an independent and free nation. On Memorial Day we honor those who have passed from this life preserving freedom, but on Veterans Day we honor all who have served in the military or are currently serving. Yes ... those currently serving are also veterans, who just happen to still be actively serving. We are living in a time when less than six percent of our citizens, under the age of 55, have ever served. Some of us are old enough to remember a time when 85-90% of all male citizens served. Today those small numbers mean there are fewer of us to focus attention on the importance of the aforementioned sacrifices. I am especially pleased to see children encouraged to participate. I salute the parents who bring them! Regardless of your personal faith background, there is much wisdom to be found in scripture. For example, the passage which says, "Raise up a child in the way he should go and he will not depart far from it." Parents who take their children to patriotic events and memorial services will find that they will grow into patriots. Don't assume that because they live around the military it will automatically become meaningful for them. It is too easy to overlook things that are extremely familiar. It is said that "Familiarity breeds contempt," but at the least, it breeds complacency. It can cause us to take the things, for which we should be grateful, for granted. How many millions of Americans took freedom and security for granted before September 2001. It literally took an earth shaking event to jar them out of it and many have already gone back to a complacent attitude. In 1688 John Churchill said ... "God and soldiers we adore, in time of danger not before. Let the danger be safely righted and God is forgotten ... and soldiers slighted." Because it is members of our profession-of-arms who must pay freedom's most terrible price, I like to think that we are less likely to suffer from such complacency ... but even we are not immune to it. Beginning when I was a tiny child, my parents took me to patriotic events on these holidays. I now stand firmly convicted in my patriotism, having served my country for all of my adult life. I followed the example my parents set as I raised my own children. Now my son, an Army captain and veteran of one tour of service in Baghdad, is preparing for his second one year deployment there. My youngest daughter, a military nurse and captain, served for 13 months in Iraq, and my oldest daughter and grandson waited at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey for the return of my son-in-law, an Air Force master sergeant, from his two tours of duty in Iraq. My children, too, grew to be patriotic citizens, because, I believe, they saw examples. With that in mind, expose your young people to our older veterans. Take them to parades and ceremonies, so that they will learn that everything has a cost that someone has paid and that "Freedom is not free!" Help them build a connection with and appreciation for all those, including you, who have bought their wonderful freedoms and futures with service and sacrifice, for more than two and a quarter centuries of United States history ... those we call veterans. This day is about thankfulness and since veterans are a gift for which the nation and all citizens should be thankful, that perspective is appropriate. They are among the blessings we should count daily. This week we celebrate the service of those who have sworn to uphold and defend our constitution ... even at risk of life and limb. Take the opportunity and remember to give thanks! May God continue to bless the United States of America ... all those who have served ... and all who are serving now!