Thank You For Your Service

Thank You for Your Service It’s almost four o’clock in northern Maine on a cool spring morning. Bags are rustling and seat-belts are unbuckling as everyone starts to get out of their seats and into the isle, waiting impatiently, to stand on American soil once again. While walking into an empty airport terminal, one by one, with a bag over our shoulders and rifle in hand, the muffled sounds of clapping starts to hit our ears. Nearing the opening between terminals the vibrating sounds of clapping and cheers grows closer and closer, louder and louder. We arrive to an opening between terminals, where a group of people we have never seen before are standing. Some are holding American flags, some are wearing red, white, and blue t-shirts; others are wearing insignia of their units serving in Korea and Viet Nam. As we pass, they shake our hands and say, “Welcome home heroes, we are so proud of you. Thank you for your service.” Since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began after September 11, 2001 many people are walking up to individuals wearing military uniforms and telling them “thank you for your service”. Many of these people, however, have never experienced any facets of military life or what it means to serve your country unconditionally, especially during a time of war. So how can someone thank a veteran for their service when they are unaware of what “service” entails? Even though the local media isn't covering as much of the war in Afghanistan anymore, people are still sacrificing their lives to make sure we can live each day with a little less worry. Most Americans may not even know we are still fighting against extremists; for the freedoms Afghan men, women, and children deserve like schools and roads. Unfortunately I am not like the majority whose ignorance allows them to peacefully flow through their day without hesitation. Some days I wish I was ignorant, and every now and then for a little while, I am.
An average day during a deployment