Mike Lacche Boxing Magazine: November, 2012

Honor all veterans

 

I’m 38 years old. I’ve never served in the Armed Forces. Veterans Day has always been important to me because it’s my chance to thank the men and women who set their lives aside, and put their lives at risk, leave their homes and families so that all of us have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

This Veterans Day is also the first time I won’t have an immediate family member who is a World War II veteran; both my grandfathers served in active WWII duty; my grandfather, Michael A. Lacche, U.S. Army, lived into his sixties; my grandfather, Joseph N. Ermer, U.S. Navy, lived until earlier this year - 93 years old.

In recent years when out in the community and I see a Purple Heart or Military Service license plate, my daughter and I will go over and thank that veteran for all he or she has done for the community. For all of us. It amazes me that the braver the person, the more they sacrifice, the more humble they are.

I’ve also reached an age threshold where now I am meeting veterans, Purple Heart recipients who are practically young enough to be my children. It puts into perspective what we all ask of these young men and women.

Between my years as a community newspaper reporter, then in my life as program/project manager and in county volunteer government, I must have met hundreds of veterans. Not a single one ever said they wanted a “hand out” and just to sit around; every veteran has only asked for the opportunity to continue to put their skills to work when they come home. It’s a pretty reasonable request. Local businesses should hire more veterans.

Sometimes there is a disconnect, maybe it comes from certain media, that creates the impression that all veterans think the same way, have the same experiences, want to do the same things after their service to our country is completed. Take every single trait, belief, practice, group of our community, and there is at least veteran who is that too. In summary, veterans represent all of us. Period.

If folks don’t agree with geopolitical decisions our government makes, the venue to make change is to replace the representative in the next election. That’s democracy. That’s freedom of choice and expression. No one needs to keep space between themselves and our veterans; when you welcome a veteran home; honor his or her service or just say “thank you” -- you are honoring the human side and the human risk and sacrifice that goes into keeping our country and our community free.

To all our veterans, and to my two grandfathers, where ever you may be -- thank you.