A recent trip landed me in the country of New Zealand.  If you haven’t been, add it to “the bucket list”, it’s wonderful place.  I visited  some of the major cities as well as some of the more popular islands and tourist spots.  Simply put, New Zealand has it all, ports, cities, beaches, vineyards, mountains, rain forest, volcanoes, fertile farm lands, and the list goes on.  Travelling this lush country, the feeling of vulnerability would come and go.  Vulnerable not because of the people or landscape but because this gorgeous country has a very small military protecting it.  Having roughly the same square miles of Colorado,  and a relativity sparse population,  having a smaller military is understandable, however it simply renewed my pride in the US Armed Forces.

No disrespect to New Zealand intended, especially not their service men and woman, but if a hostile country decides that they would like this gem in their portfolio, without help from friendlies, New Zealand wouldn’t stand a chance.

Arriving back in the states the realization of what our Veterans have accomplished over the course of US history is something to be very, very, proud of.  Our Veterans have sacrificed all to keep our land sacred and free.  They have not only protected the homeland  but have traveled far and away to ensure we stay the “home of the brave, and the land of the free”.

Our Veterans allow us peace that not all of us quite understand.  This “peace” most of us have and will take for granted.  This peace is knowing that if and when an adversary chooses to threaten our land and/or freedoms our Veterans have and will step up and unselfishly sacrifice all for you, for me, and for our country.

Tomorrow is a special day for our Veterans.  It’s a day that year after year seems to be a little less celebrated and a little less important.  It can only be because we have been spoiled with freedom for so long that we truly do not understand how much our Veterans have and will give up to continue to provide us with the land and freedom that we so easily take for granted.

Watch the storming of Omaha beach on D-Day in Saving Private Ryan, if you have a few more minutes watch We Were Soldiers,  or spend a weekend watching Band of Brothers.    Then from the comfort of your couch try to understand what our Veterans have done for us and why Veterans Day is so important and should never be minimized.  As we know Hollywood isn’t always an accurate depiction of events, but these films will remind you of the sacrifices made and those continuing to be made. After watching one or more of these films ask yourself, is it that difficult to go out of your way to simply say, “thank you for your service”?

Let us not forget and honor our Veterans today, tomorrow, forever.

Thank you for your service and thank you for sacrifice.

Team Tactical Works.