A LETTER TO THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FROM AN AMERICAN CITIZEN

I wanted to thank you, all of you. What you do there, and when you are here at home for that matter, is a big thing. Please don’t ever forget that there are those who know and understand that and are eternally grateful. I have 5 children I tuck in bed safely at night. I can put them to bed and know we will all wake up safely in the morning. I can send them to school and know they will come home. I can say goodbye to my husband every morning and not wonder if he will come home at night. I even have the right to have 5 children, which is not something every woman can say. All of this is because people like you who have chosen to wear a uniform. “They” have not, nor will they ever win. Not in the past, not now and not ever in the future. It is not because everyday people like us go to work and school and shopping. Not because, in an act of defiance of those who want to change us or our way of life, we bravely go on and forge ahead with our daily lives. It is because we know with absolute certainty that somewhere out there is you and others like you. We can only be “brave” because you make us safe. Because we know that even if sometimes bad things do happen, you are out there somewhere watching and protecting. If it were not for you we would not have the courage we do. It’s not hard to be brave when you know you are being protected by people who show us every day that a belief and a way of life, a code of honor and conduct, a clear definition of right and wrong is worth fighting to protect. You are out there and we are aware of your presence and we are grateful. Please, don’t any of you think that it goes unnoticed, that we are unaware. There is nothing we can ever say or do to thank you for what you all do, by choice. The sacrifices you and your families make are awe inspiring and humbling and I thank you. Take care and hurry home.

Happy Veterans Day to you all, Kris Collins in New York