Diane and I attended an event a few years back. There was a buffet dinner. As we stood in the line, we saw an older gentleman and his wife who were there and asked them to go ahead of us. We talked a few minutes to pass the time. The gentleman began to tell us that because he hadn’t eaten, he wasn’t able to take his medication. He went onto say that he’d served in the United States military during the Vietnam War Era and had been sprayed in Agent Orange. Fast forward 55+ years and he has stage 4 liver cancer. He said to me, “I don’t know how long this keeps me going. I take 7 pills a day at a cost of $7,000/month.”
“I guess I do it for her,” he said, pointing to his wife, “because it’s, (cancer), got me." Smiling at his bride, he said, "But I got fifty-one years with her.” He said, “I still wake up a lot of nights and I’m there, (Vietnam). She and I both have had to work through a lot.”
He was drafted, forced into war. And it hasn’t ended. But according to him, it’ll be over soon. Sadly for some, that war never ends. I did all that I could think to do in the moment. I thanked this American hero for his service.
There are too many with stories like his.
Like so many others, I have not served in the military but, I have infinite respect for those who have and do. This conversation reinforced that feeling. Great men and women serve all of their lives, for the effort of that service never ends as they suffer pain and disability, not to mention the sorrow filled memories of those brothers and sisters that were lost. Yet for most, they have no regrets. Freedom is indeed, not free.
While surrounded by uncertainty daily, we have constant reminders to celebrate the sacrifices of men and women, families who gave all. And, are still giving. I guess I could’ve waited to post this. But, if you are reading this today, thank you. Please know that because of you, I am extremely proud to be an American.
For that, I am eternally grateful. Happy Veteran's Day!
God bless you, dear friends, and God bless the United States of America!
-Pastor Butch
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