Veterans: the Real Sacrifice and the On-Going Fight

A few weeks ago, I was shopping at a strip mall. Behind schedule and with multiple stops still to make I was hurrying as fast as I could. When I was stopped dead in my tracts by the loud voices of two women carrying across the parking lot. Appearing to be in their late 20’s or early 30’s, these women were discussing a vehicle parked in the handicapped spot in front of the fabric store.

Referring to the driver by a string of crude names, and making brazen judgments like whether the gentleman in question should be beaten-up or deserved to get in a crash on the way home, they unashamedly condemned him. All because in the two minutes they had observed him exiting his truck, they had concluded beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was clearly not handicapped. Their sole proof to his unjust misuse of a handicapped parking space was they could see no hanging handicapped tag visible on the rear view mirror.“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Heritage River LLC may earn referral fees if something is purchased through affiliate links and this occurs with no additional cost to you. Any compensation received from these sellers does not influence the content, topics or posts on this blog.”

As if saying it for all the world to hear was not enough, they proceeded to write all the insults in a note and leave it under the truck’s windshield wiper. As I passed the vehicle in question on my way to my own, I noticed that not only did the truck HAVE the proper handicapped licensing, but it was a permanent plate not a temporary hanging placard. It was also a veteran’s plate. Since I was only parked two cars away, and as all mothers know, it takes a bit to get kids and shopping loaded in a car, I could not help but be party to the events that unfolded next.

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Presently, the driver of the vehicle in question exited the fabric store. A young man in his early 30’s, he looked fine to the casual observer. Yet the way he paused at the curb to step down with a carefully chosen leg, and the speed of his gait, told a much different story to the interested observer. He noticed the note under the windshield wiper as he approached, and I watched the emotions on his face as he read the vicious attack.

A lady parked near-by walked up to the veteran. She explained that she had witnessed the note being left and assumed that such regrettable displays of behavior had occurred before. “Therefore, I thought the best course of action was not to remove the note, but to offer an alternate and balancing opinion.” She volunteered empathetically.

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During the resulting conversation, I learned he had just become a first-time father. His wife was still in the hospital due to a few minor complications. Concerned and caring, he had decided to cheer her up by providing a hands-on project they could do together. He was at the fabric store purchasing a few yards of colorful fleece so they could make a throw-tie blanket for their brand new daughter.He also confirmed that such cruel and unjust treatment had occurred many times and volunteered that he had lost his leg from the upper thigh down during his service overseas.

Before leaving, the woman did not give the standard thank you line of “for your service and defending American freedoms” instead she emphasized her thankfulness for his bravery and dedication to the long-term war—the daily struggle to function now and in the future. The real and ongoing sacrifice paid by our veterans day in and day out.

Kids safely buckled and shopping bags loaded, I drove away with a lot more than my unfinished to-do list on my mind. This chance encounter made me stop and think. How often do we tend to proudly and often smugly thank a veteran for their service and walk away patting ourselves on the back that we have done our patriotic duty? Do we ever consider how short their time in uniform is compared to the battles they face in the years that follow? Have we ever contemplated the struggles they deal with both physical and mental, the flashbacks, the survivor’s guilt, false accusations, and misunderstandings? What about the stress all of these difficulties place on their support system of friends and family, effectively undermining the very relationships they need to survive and achieve victory!

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This Veteran’s Day, when you stop to thank a veteran for their service, don’t stop at their time in uniform, thank them for keeping strong, for their daily bravery, for not loosing their human gentleness and ability to love without limits, for the courage to face their fears and stand strong not only for themselves, but for all of us as well! Numerous recent studies have shown that the suicide rate among veterans is at least double the current civilian rate. Make a difference. Reach out. Let them know they are loved, not forgotten and their struggle is not in vain!

U.S. National suicide prevention lifeline crisis number 1-800-273-8255

For Texting: Text CONNECT to 741741 anywhere and anytime in the U.S. About any kind of crisis to get instant contact with a trained crisis counselor ready and waiting to help you in your struggle. This Crisis text line is a free 24/7 support for those in crisis. For Canada text 686868 This free service is offered through crisistextline.org.

Happy Veterans Day to all our brave heroes not giving up the fight, we salute you!, the Homesteading Hen

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