Good Veteran’s Day

I remember being a child in Denver, Colorado and going to the Veteran’s Day parade.

Denver had the best parades.

My dad would buy me and my sisters little red flowers on green wire and tell us to wear them.

To remember the fallen soldier.

When I was in elementary school it didn’t mean much.

I got a flower!

I got something pretty to wear on my Catholic uniform.

As I got older the meaning became clearer.

There were soldiers that did not get to come home.

And red poppies are won in remembrance.

Because war is hell and we should always remember this who gave their lives to defend us.

We should also remember those who have served and are struggling.

We should also remember those who continue to serve.

When I joined the Air Force Veteran’s Day became more stark.

I participated in a memorial run.

There would be someone running on the track for the entire 24 hours of Veteran’s Day.

I ran 14 miles that day.

At the time it was the most I had ever run.

10 years ago I decided that I was no longer going to be using the phrase “Happy Veteran’s Day.”

Because nothing about war is happy.

I use the word Good to preface the word Veteran.

Because nothing about war, or preparing for war, is happy.

Good Veteran’s Day to all who have served, are serving, or who are preparing to serve.