Veteran’s Day: The Beauty of Brotherhood
By Kanani Fong
Each November they come, marching on streets from Fullerton to New York City. Some are grizzled and grey, their rows not as straight, and many march arm in arm. To see a veterans day parade is to bear witness to a time line of war and peace: Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea, The Pacific, and Europe. And if you were to imagine, preceding them would be soldiers from Belleau Wood, San Juan Hill, Antietam, Gettysburg, and Valley Forge. If we look around us, we might even imagine all the loved ones they left behind, standing alongside watching the procession go by.
The passing years are gently worn by some of the WWII vets. While there are those still able to make the march, others sit at the staging area. They wear caps emblazoned where and with whom they served. Many have medals pinned to their jackets. Their vision is not as keen, sharp sounds are softer now. Yet, here they are, craning their necks, listening for the familiar sound of boots on the ground. They are waiting for their brothers who are marching for them.
Veterans gather every November 11 not just for the fanfare, hoopla, or flag waving. They come together to feel the bonds of service. For this was a time in their life when brotherhood was never a question and trust meant the difference between life and death. Unlike the camaraderie displayed among actors on a screen, or by athletes on a team, what separates them is the oath they took to protect and serve our country. Often this meant saving the life of their brothers, even if it could cost them their own. What distinguishes them is each has walked the warrior path, embodying a code of ethics and honor. They put aside their own needs, sacrificing everything. They would die for each other, they would die for you, they have died for us.
We know this day stirs old memories of those they have lost. Battle buddies who sat with them in a trench, a hooch, on the deck of a carrier, on a stretch of beach but didn’t make it through. The sounds and smells of war come back, not only today, but late at night when everyone in the house is asleep. For it’s not just the physical harm they risked, what they put on the line was their soul, sacrificing their own sense of peace. What many have worked so hard to get back is the same certainty they had during the war: a cause or person who makes them feel that life matters as much now as it did back then. Hand to hand; face-to-face; eye-to-eye; brother-to-brother; soul-to-soul.
Some have weathered the toll of war better than others. The men and women who have trudged through fields, jungles and urban decay have to regain their balance in fog of war. Today, when the word veteran is greatly shortchanged by stereotypes, when they themselves are politicized, finding their inner peace hasn’t been easy. For some, the search has proven elusive, and others struggle. But many who have reclaimed it, work tirelessly to help those who are still on the march, trying to catch their breath. They are, and always will be warriors.
This is why we gather on Veteran’s Day: to see and honor the brotherhood between those who have served and continue to do so. Because the truth is, love is what keeps the weave of brotherhood strong. And where there is love, there is beauty so awe-inspiring, it overwhelms and can break your heart. All we have to say are five simple words: “Thank you for your service.”
Best Regards,
Kanani
PBS Regarding War
PR Team, Restrepo
Writer, The Kitchen Dispatch
Thank you for that beautiful post.
CW
Very thoughtful post! We should always have respect for the men and women who have risked their lives for our country!
http://www.medalofhonor.com/blog/2010/11/tier-1-dedication
(There’s an age check because that website is for an M-rated game.)
The Tier 1 soldiers (e.g. Navy SEALs, Delta Force) that helped in the development of the Medal of Honor game wrote this dedication in the end of the game. I was surprised to find out that they actually wrote it, and not the people at EA who made that game.
Thank you for the post.
It’s a very nice event. I’m noticing that each year the number of veterans gets smaller. Much more work will need to be done by the organizers to bring in IAVA, as well as veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The brother and sisterhood between the veterans and their families is always nice to experience. BG Keith Jones of the California National Guard was apt to point out that the families serve as well.
I do think that they could recognize current active duty and reservists, as well as local guardsmen who have recently deployed and serve. There are several, including one who is much decorated, and is active duty. His family stays here during the school months, then travels back to the post in the summers and holidays. It could be said, their TDS is Fullerton. There is also a reservist who is posted downrange. Much to do, many ways to help this thing grow and keep going.
well done tony
I live in Santa Ana for many years, do they Celebrate Veterans Days? or they celebrate the Mexican Revolution ?
It may be the only city that don’t celebrate the 4th of July , Veteran’s Day ect……..
Congratulation Fullerton, Santa Ana will never recognize patriotism.
“Bienvenido a Santa Ana, se habla Ingles.”
Tony,
This is much appreciated! A good read! Thanks
Minard
As the mother of a marine, I thank you,Kanani, for your beautiful commentary on Veterans Day. The good fight for our freedom echoes in the footsteps of those veterans who march on America’s main street every November 11th. I pray America’s future generations never loosen its grasp on the common spirit of courage and hope for a better world that binds all veterans
Thank you for putting up this post. Our veterans don’t ask for much from us, but a simple thank you from somone you meet on the street means so much. Thank you to all those who have served and who are serving.