My experience as a veteran gives me some insight that those who have not served, may not be aware of or privy to. First of all, not all veterans served for the honor of their country. Not all veterans are honorable individuals. Hell, some veterans are downright criminals! Some veterans never served in a battle arena. Some veterans serve for life and some can’t hang more than a few years.
Veterans span the gamut in religious affiliation, and some have none at all. Veterans run the spectrum of gender and sexuality. Veterans are the mirror of their society. I even served with immigrants who were not U.S. Citizens yet! I served with what could only be referred to as ‘mentally challenged’ adults. I served with men who abused their wives, men who raped other soldiers, and women who assaulted other men & women. I served with NCO’s who kept the truth of this quiet, and CO’s who encouraged them to do so.
I was personally punished for something I did not do, to make an example, and I tried to remove a soldier from service who never should have been there, but the institution wouldn’t allow it. I stood at parade rest when my fellow soldiers bowed their heads in prayer and faced every bigot who tried to tell me that Satanism was criminal, and that because I was a Satanist I shouldn’t be there.
My view of veterans is based on personal experience, and though there are some that I would categorize as the worst of humanity, the vast majority of them are men and women who just want to provide a life for themselves or their family, doing something they love, for the country they love. It is these men and women who ensure your safety and freedoms and it is to them you should give your thanks. We live in a time that is witnessing the erosion of our freedoms from both outside and inside our government. Our citizens are taking up the mantle of unjustified fear and hate over perspective and acceptance. Our leaders are stoking these divides and it is our veterans who pay the most for it.
Our freedoms do not come without cost and we cannot leave it up to our veterans to pay it. If we are to be a society of laws and opportunities, we must stand with our veterans in their defence here at home.
To my brothers and sisters in arms, thank you for your sacrifices and service.
Hail Satan!