Thanking veterans for their service

"We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender." -- Winston Churchill

The time of the year is approaching when we reflect on what we are thankful for and are grateful for what we have. There are many blessings that we should be thankful for, and many lives that have been sacrificed for us, sacrifices that we will never know.

World War II is listed as the war with the most deaths. Approximately 291,557 American soldiers lost their lives in WWII, and hundreds of thousands more in wars throughout our history. From the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the Korean and Vietnam wars to the most recent wars in Iraqi and Afghanistan, each one had families that suffered through the pain of losing a loved one.

And those who survived left behind all but memories of horrifying events that most of us will never have to experience.

A few years ago I talked to a World War II vet and listened as he told about some of his stories and experiences as though they had just happened yesterday. He told me about all the places he went to during the war, and about some of the people he was able to meet.

But after one of his stories about a prank they had pulled on a fellow soldier, his voice slowly trailed off and his smile faded away. It was replaced with a look of sadness and he once again fell silent. He never spoke of the things that were going through his mind, but there was no doubt that he had lived through more than anyone should ever have to.

Someone once said, "You never know what you have, until you have lost it." There are millions of Americans who do not know what they have because of those who were and still are willing to go face the terror in the night so that we do not have to lose our freedom.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude for those who are willing to make that sacrifice. I would also like to say thank you to those veterans who work at the Vernon County Sheriff's Office and continue to put their lives on the line every day here in our homeland.

These fine deputies include Chief Deputy Shayne Simmons, Lieutenant Detective John Randall, Detective Steve Schlup, and Deputy Greg Andrews.

I would also encourage you to attend a Veterans Day ceremony, or personally thank a veteran that you know. Let us use this opportunity to give a little back to those who were willing to give all.