FORT DIX, N.J. (AFPN) --
In February, while I was deployed to Karshi-Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan, country music star Charlie Daniels and his band paid a surprise visit to our base.
Mr. Daniels was actually diverted to “K-2”, as the base is commonly called, because of winter weather in Afghanistan. A concert for the troops wasn’t on the schedule, but true to his nature, Mr. Daniels held a concert for the Army, Navy and Air Force troops at K-2.
Now when you think about it, Charlie Daniels is not a young guy. As a matter of fact, as a 69-year-old entertainer, one might wonder why he would travel half-way across the world to entertain U.S. troops.
Well for me, I stopped wondering why he came to visit when he announced his reasons half-way through his concert. He said, simply, “I’m here because I love America, our troops, and our veterans.”
Mr. Daniels’ statement really can be everyone’s reason for remembering veterans this Veteran’s Day Nov. 11. By this, I mean, there are many ways veterans have become a “star” for America, much like Mr. Daniels, but in a more humbling sense.
In all wars past and present, it’s because of America’s veterans that we have the freedom we have. The sacrifices of veterans, from those who served, those wounded in action, and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice giving their life in defense of freedom, that we should give them the respect and “star” power they deserve.
Veterans Day provides us a day to do just that.
As it’s history shows, Veteran’s Day began as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1918, noting the end of World War I with the signing of an armistice on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The remembrance got its current name in 1954 following World War II and the Korean War noting the reasons to remember veterans of all wars.
In World War I, more than 4 million Americans served in the military from 1914-18. In World War II, more than 16 million Americans served from 1941-45. In Korea, there were nearly 6 million Americans who served and in Vietnam nearly 9 million Americans participated.
The numbers continue with more than 2 million in the Gulf War and an unconfirmed number of military veterans serving and fighting in the Global War on Terrorism today. There are also the millions who served during the Cold War and in many other military operations around the world.
You can keep adding numbers upon numbers, but the point is these are millions upon millions of Americans who are “stars” in my life. They are the inspiration which makes me want to do better and emulate their sacrifice.
You can also carry the “star” status to the families of America’s veterans. They too, counting in the millions upon millions as well, deserve to also be remembered this Veteran’s Day. After all, without the “stars” of the homefront, how could we possibly carry on?
Fathers and mothers have given their sons and daughters and military spouses and children who do their part in America’s fight for freedom are also the “stars” who inspire me every day.
Even though I had a great reminder by one of country music’s legendary “stars” about why I support Veteran’s Day, everyone else doesn’t need the same kind of reminder. It doesn’t take “star” power to know that America’s veterans are “stars” all on their own.
Their service, sacrifice and dedication are reasons enough for you to know and remember who the “stars” of America’s freedom are both past and present.