Tag: Veterans’ Day

Honoring Veterans: The Importance of Listening

Today was the day to thank a veteran. The day we appreciate their service to our country. What if we extended this to more than just a day? What if we recognized veterans out in public, offered a word of encouragement, bought them a coffee, or just sat down to have a conversation with them.

One day, instead of thanking and moving along, I took a moment to stop and listen. What I heard was both enlightening and heartbreaking. The following is from a conversation I shared with a Vietnam Veteran.

If I see a veteran (or active military), I always make an effort to say, “Thank you for your service.” I hope veterans hear that phrase a lot and with sincerity. I was at the lake one day and was going to the front office to sign out our boats. I noticed a man wearing a Vietnam Veteran hat signing out his fishing boat. “Thank you for your service,” I said. He smiled politely and said, “Thank you.” Then he proceeded to tell me a story that made my heart sink.

He shared a story with me that was heavy on his heart. A story he had been continuously recalling since the Vietnam War. I am certain other Vietnam Veterans have similar stories. After he said, “Thank you,” he paused for a moment and followed with, “You know, it wasn’t always this way.” I had not intended to keep him from fishing but he needed to share so I needed to listen.

At first, I wasn’t certain what he meant, “It wasn’t always this way.” Then he proceeded to tell me about his return to the States after the Vietnam War. Instead of being greeted as a hero people were aggressive toward him; spurred on by the war time protests. On more than one occasion, people spit in his face, and shouted at him because he so dutifully served his country. They didn’t understand what sacrifices he made to go to Vietnam or maybe they did and didn’t care. He was proud to serve his country but the grief and aggression he faced when he came home, “Made (his) life hell.” The horrors he faced during the war only to return to the hate of his own countrymen must have been unbearable.

We talked for a little while and I was struck by his composure. He was stoic but I could see the hurt in his eyes, like he was reliving the moments as he was telling me his story. He spoke about a heart-rending time from his past that he could never forget. I could not take back what had happened to him so many years ago. All I could do was apologize that he was ever treated that way and make sure he knew I was grateful for his service.

The conversation was brief but impactful. I wish I could have talked with him longer. I had so many questions but I could see that his fishing boat was calling. (And who was I to stand between a veteran and his day of fishing on the lake?)

I learned a very important lesson that day. Listen. Don’t just say, “Thank you for your service,” and move along. Veterans have stories to tell. Stories I cannot even fathom. We are privileged to live in this great and free country because of the sacrifices they made. The very least we can do is take a moment to listen to their story. I am thankful this Vietnam Veteran chose to share his story with me, no matter how brief it was. I haven’t seen him since but I sure hope he had a wonderful time fishing on the lake that day.

Thank You!

Taking a moment to say thank you!  Thank you to our veterans and current service women and men for their commitment to protect the freedom I am able to enjoy each and every day.

Earlier this year, I was at a celebration of the arts for our county school system.  My son’s chorus was performing alongside various high schools, middle schools and elementary schools.  Some schools danced, some did acting for their art and some sang.  My son’s performance was that show stopping kind of wonderful, of course, but there was another performance that had a lasting impact on me.  The impact on me was actually because of the impact this performance had on those around me.

This particular performance was dedicated to those who served or are currently serving in a branch of the military.  These high school youth presented a song and tap dance to the tunes of every anthem from every branch of service.  As the songs were offered up, each member of that military branch, current or retired, was asked to stand and be recognized.  It was truly wonderful to see everyone standing proud as they were acknowledged for their service.

As I watched and listened, I noticed a man, in his late 70’s, at the end of my row.  He was getting more emotional with each anthem played.  I glanced over at him and noticed his unshakable focus, determined to honor each woman or man that stood to be recognized.  Eventually, the anthem for his branch of service, Air Force, began to play.  As he stood, I watched as he held back tears.

This moment, a few minutes of recognition, seemed to not be enough for all the emotion welling up inside this man.  It was not sad, nor proud, just beautiful.  I realized, for this man, serving his country was more than just a job to him.  It was a passion, a love, a fierce desire to serve and protect his family as well as perfect strangers.  Many years after retirement this man still wore his military heart on his sleeve.

Until that moment, at the county wide celebration of the arts, I never really, truly understood the impact serving in the military had on those who serve.  So, with new understanding, I extend a heartfelt, “THANK YOU” to all the veterans and current service men and women.  Thank you for your compassion and commitment to serve and protect our great country.