“A veteran is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The USA for an amount of up to and including my life.’ ”

The above statement, made by an anonymous military personnel, is a poignant and accurate statement on what it means to serve one’s country in the military. Thomas Paine said during our Revolutionary War with England, “Those who expect to reap the blessings of liberty must undergo the fatigues of supporting it.”

With Veterans Day coming up on Nov. 11, everyone knows of at least one veteran who served this country with honor. Still others know of someone who was killed or missing in action and never returned from their tour of duty. And still others know a veteran who returned scarred physically or emotionally, or both, and find life difficult to deal with.

According to Veterans of Foreign Wars past Commander-in-Chief Richard L. Eubank, “Remembering gives true meaning to sacrifice and service. Millions of American lives were forever altered because they donned a uniform to protect the freedoms and rights we take for granted. We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to them. And acknowledging Veterans Day is the time that debt comes due. It's our way of keeping faith with former defenders.”

With the countless battles fought by our servicemen and women over the years, and those who weren’t in battle but served our country honorably, Veterans Day is a day to honor and thank them all for their service. We cannot and should not take freedom for granted.

As World War II hero and Congressional Medal Honor recipient Joe Foss once said, “Those of us who lived have to represent those who didn't make it.”

Gerry Payette
Bristol