America has a unique place in world history in that its very creed and core values have birthed more heroes than one account of history could ever hold. America has bred and reared a most extraordinary kind of hero, one who holds the jaws of death with both fists while their countrymen and family sleep in domestic peace. These heroes, not celebrated oft enough, are contented to indefinitely or permanently belay personal ambitions and play a somber tune on the strings of destiny, knowing their last breath on earth will be a small, yet indispensable contribution to the domestic tranquility they swear to defend.
Until they all come home, we the people pray for them.
I was on a break during a performance last month, when I observed a man with a Vietnam veteran ballcap stopped by a passerby:
"You served in Vietnam?"
"Yessir," said the vet.
"That must've been hard."
"Still is," he choked.
I made a point to thank him personally. The weight of his service was completely unknowable to me. But I hope he knew that he's the American we all look up to.
Today, we pause to remember the ones that didn't come home to us. It's wisely been observed that those who don't believe heroes exist have never been to the cemeteries to read the names of the most heroic people of all world history. These heroes didn't lose their life, they gave their lives. A life that is given in the name of liberty, equality, justice, freedom, and peace in a world of oppression, violence, and despotism, isn't truly lost.
To the fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers who gave everything to protect and defend America, we thank you. You are the heroes the world will always look up to.
