It Is The Veterans

Macon County News - Franklin, NC, USA

‘It is the veterans’
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
By Derrell Maxwell
Vietnam Veteran USAF 67-68

As Americans live out their daily lives, lives blessed with the freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, the freedom to vote and to assemble, I’m afraid many Americans do not have a clue as to how and why they can enjoy those privileges; however I have had the privilege of meeting some of the younger generation that do have a clear understanding of how and why we have the type of life we Americans enjoy. These young citizens know, “it is the veterans,” who have made our freedoms possible.

I am referring to the Swain County High School ROTC. This fine organization posted the colors at “Fire Base Henry,” on April 4, 2008, the grand opening of the new office for the Vietnam Veterans of America, Smoky Mountain Chapter 994 in Franklin, N.C. They also posted the colors at the inaugural Smoky Mountain Vet Fest held on October 4, 2008, in Franklin, N.C. These are the veterans and heroes of our future. America should have a great deal of respect for these young men and women, I do.

“Fire Base Henry” was named in honor of Nathan Henry of Franklin, N.C. Nat was a prisoner of war (POW) in North Vietnam for almost six years. Nat Henry knows, and all too well, what freedom is all about, as does his wife and family.

Nat Henry knows “it is the veterans,” not the preachers, who have given us freedom of religion. “It is the veterans,” not the poets, who have given us freedom of speech. “It is the veterans,” not the reporters, who have given us freedom of the press. “It is the veterans,” not the politicians, who have given us the right to vote and “it is the veterans,” not the lawyers and judges, who have given us the right to a free trial.

“It is the veterans” of the War of Independence and wars thereafter, who have kept our nation free from tyranny, oppression and subjugation. “It is the veterans” of WWI that kept Germany from taking France and England. “It is the veterans,” of the Greatest Generation, that fought the battles at Normandy, Guadalcanal and countless other WWII battles that have kept freedom ringing. “It is the veterans” of Korea, the so called forgotten war, that kept communism at bay. “It is the veterans” of the Vietnam War that won each battle in Vietnam, but it is the politician that managed to lose that war. “It is the veterans” of Granada, Panama, Somalia and the Gulf War who have helped preserve freedom around the Globe.

“It is the veterans” of today, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea and other countries, who have answered their nations call to keep peace around the world. Be thankful for your freedoms my friends, for “it is the Veterans” who have laid it at your feet. “It is the veterans,” my comrades in arms, that I am thankful for at this holiday season. God bless the veterans and God bless America.