Ashe Mountain Times

“Half of you will come back either wounded or in body bags.”

When the commanding officer of troops destined for Iraq said those words, not a sound was heard in the room. He wasn't trying to scare his unit, only prepare them for reality.

Prior to June 6, 1944, as U.S. forces prepared to land on Utah, Omaha, Gold, June and Sword beaches, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower said, “The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you.”

Serving the best country in the world doesn't come easily. Our Congress tells us when we're going to war, and our president sometimes orders troops into areas that are not officially called war.

But regardless of how they get there, our troops go in with a job to do and do everything in their power to carry out orders. Politics of such moves, while debated back home, are more than brushed aside. They have to be ignored. Lives are on the line.

Veterans Day was born out of Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1918, the day an agreement was signed by the Germans and the Allies bringing an end to World War I.

Since that time, it is generally recognized that the U.S. has fought in six wars — World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. Troops have been deployed for other details, and then there's the war that never saw a battlefield but kept two superpower countries on edge — the Cold War.

Many times today, we see troops come home to adoring families, flag-waving citizens, and a general appreciation for service to country.

But as we celebrate Veterans Day, let us remember that not all of our troops came home to such a glorious welcome. Some came home dead, and others returned home alive but with injuries.

Worst of all, there are many, many veterans who came home from Korea and were jolted by unfavorable reactions. Some are still struggling, trying to make sense of it all.

Veterans populate Ashe County in distinguishable numbers.

But do them a favor. Not only remember them Friday on Veterans Day, but thank them year around. For every day in freedom is truly a day for remembrance.