Sacrifice "Veterans Day - November 11, 2019

That's what military service is founded upon. It seems sweeter when coated with patriotism and a little easier to bear when a few benefits are added. But the bottom line is sacrifice. Untold sacrifices. Like those ambushed at Fort Hood recently, or the soldier in Afghanistan who returned to New Orleans yesterday from the battlefield to bury his 7-year old daughter who was killed by a stray bullet. Like the hundreds of old veterans still on the battlefield of their minds, still fighting, still enduring the agony, still feeling their lost limbs where they used to be, who wake up sweating in terror. Or the numb ones who walk through mental and emotional chaos like zombies - "It don't mean nothin'!", they chant. Vietnam vets like me who turned in a weapon in Saigon one day, then changed into civilian clothes the next day to avoid the spit and taunts of the Hari Krishnas at the L.A. airport. But I ain't mad about it. Just sayin'. Like the wives, children, and families that must endure the separations, the loss of loved ones, not for a few months or a year, but forever. Behind the eyes of every veteran lies a story that includes sacrifice. Some will bring you to tears if you have the heart to listen. But you probably won't ever hear these untold stories because unless blood has been spilled, most veterans sacrifice in silent reverence for those who gave the ultimate. Ironically, you can't pity a veteran and a veteran doesn't even want pity. Just some respect for the sacrifice. Peace. Preston E. Turner"