Honoring veterans

Honoring veterans

How fitting that we celebrate Thanksgiving and honor our veterans as well in November. 

It would be easy and complacent to join the ranks of the eternal pessimists who preach that everything is wrong with America, that the war on terror and in Iraq is wrong and that the 2,700-plus Americans who have died in the effort died in vain. 

I choose to believe that we have much to be thankful for. 

With all the faults and shortcomings the hand-wringers espouse, our nation remains the envy of the rest of the world. 

Perhaps British Prime Minister Tony Blair said it best recently when asked by a member of his Parliament why he admired America so much. 

He responded, “A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in and how many want out.”

The next time you feel doubts about the direction of this country, remember this — the only two defining forces that have ever been willing to die for you are Jesus Christ and the American soldier. One died for your soul and the other for our freedom — even to read this. 

This November, celebrate our wonderful heritage by giving thanks for all we enjoy and even take for granted. Please remember to include a prayer and a simple thanks for our veterans and their families.

J.W. Anderson
Vietnam, 1967–1968
Talladega, Ala.