NEWS FROM THE DESK OF SHERIFF POTTER
OUR QUIET DEFENDERS - OUR VETERANS
Veteran’s Day is upon us!! When we think of Veteran’s Day, we think of service to the United States of America, our flag Old Glory, family celebrations and all the students marching in the parade, just to mention a few. I wanted to share some thoughts from a speech I gave a few years ago about Veteran’s Day. It is my belief that the inherent fiber of our identity as a people always speaks to the very best of what we are as a nation and our Veterans are part of the very best of our nation.
All is quiet, all is at peace and all are working as any quiet steadfast patriot would for the betterment of their faith in God, their country and their family.
In the distance, rumbling can be heard. Although faint, the quiet can hear, they can sense the presence of something and grow more aware and watchful. As time goes on, the rumbling becomes louder and the noise becomes more distinct with each passing hour and day.
The quiet grow further in their readiness and watchfulness. The noise is now clear!! The quiet stand and move forward to become a defender. They raise a right hand and take an oath under the constitution of the United States of America to protect and defend against all enemies, both foreign and domestic.
They are ready to stand between their country and the evil which is ever-present in our world. As they prepare to face the enemies of the world who are determined to bring harm to Americans at home and across the globe, they pause for a moment as they can hear what those before them heard for over two hundred years!!
From the birth of our Nation to the many places across the globe where those before them supported their country in pursuit of freedom and the protection of those who could not protect themselves, they sense and hear the rattle of sabers and swords, the sound of drill movement across a field under fire, the smell of powder from a cannon shot towards an enemy ship or the glint of a distant airplane preparing to do harm but shot down by a faithful pilot.
Yes ladies and gentlemen, I have described our men and women Veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
The soldier, the sailor, the marine, the airmen and the coast guardsmen took the step to defend our country. Some lost their lives, some were wounded, some came home with unseen wounds and some, through the grace of God, were not wounded at all.
Others, although ready, faced no foe but were ready to defend our country regardless. Each of them standing ready to defend and preserve our American way of life. The men and women I speak of are our quiet defenders, our United States of America Veterans.
As we take time from our day on November 11, 2022, I ask each of you to take a moment and think about our country’s Veterans. Think about their sacrifices as well as their family’s sacrifices.
I ask each of you to not only thank a Veteran for their service when you see them on Veteran’s Day, but every day. They are our quiet defenders who answered the call for service to our country, the United States of America.
Thank you for reading this and thank you for honoring our Veterans. God bless America and God bless our Veterans.