Just because something is a right, doesn’t make it right
Everyone blessed with writing a column does so with the hope that it will somehow touch someone. The truth is, we rarely know if our words reach anyone. About the only gauge we have is to share it on social media. This gives us some indication of the receptiveness of our thoughts.
It gives people the opportunity to comment and join in the dialogue. It makes the column about the community and not just the writer. Of course, we sometimes get blistered in the comments. But, that doesn’t happen very often.
It’s just part of it. However, social media gives us an indicator of how many folks actually take the time to read the column.
Some columns spur more interest than others. I’ve learned what your expectations of me are. I know what you want to hear. Unfortunately, no of us can deliver all the time. Especially when the subject matter comes from the heart.
This week, we celebrate our veterans who have served so bravely and honorably in our military. Wars have been fought since the beginning of time. The Bible talks of many wars and battles that have been fought and speaks of many wars that are to come. It is our veterans that have fought these wars. It will be our brave military men and women who fight future wars.
I was in Ingles this week picking up lunch. There was a man standing beside me with a ball cap on that said “Veteran.” As we both waited, we struck up a conversation about the state of our country. He proudly told me about his service to our country regardless of the shape our country is in today.
From my heart, I thanked him for his service. He said he appreciated my words because lately, he felt a lot of the promilitary rhetoric was nothing more than a tool for politicians to garner support. Even though he felt this way, he said he would do it all again.
He asked about my life. I gave him the Reader’s Digest version. He thought he knew me. I thought I knew him. That happens sometimes. I ask his name as an afterthought. I know his last name was Davis. If I’m not mistaken, his first name was Bill. It was an honor meeting this American hero.
It is people like Mr. Davis who left their families at home to fight for our safety and security. The majority did so without any fanfare whatsoever. Yet, they are proud to have been a soldier fighting for my freedom to write this column and your freedom to agree or disagree.
If there is anyone more pro-military than me, I don’t know them. I’m proud to come from a family of military veterans, law enforcement officers and firefighters. None of us are rich monetarily, but we are very rich in tradition and public service. These are things you can’t put a price tag on. While many others have more as they chase the dollar, they will never know the feeling of putting on a uniform and kissing your family goodbye, hoping it isn’t the last time.
Recently I mentioned the military in a column. I spoke of my disapproval of the people who seemingly spit on the flag every chance they get. A friend, a veteran, commented saying he also fought for their right to do the things I find disrespectful. His words caused me to pause for a second and think about what I had written.
Reviewing the column, it was easy to see where he was coming from. Believe it or not, opposing opinions are healthy. Nevertheless, after pondering his words and mine, I stand behind every word I wrote.
Our country has people who use the Constitution as their permission slip to burn our nation’s flag, to disregard our national anthem and, most of all, remove any reference to God as to not offend our non-believing friends.
Although I respect the differing opinion of my friend, I humbly disagree. If you burn our flag, if you kneel during the national anthem, and if God’s name offends you, there is a good chance we can’t be friends. Actions such as these are nothing short of spitting on our veterans both alive and deceased. That’s my opinion and I stand by it.
Thank you to all veterans for fighting for me. Mr. Davis, I hope I got your name right. Regardless, it was an honor meeting you, sir.