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You’ll Figure It Out!: Open letter to the veteran on Independence Day

John Sheda

As I sit here typing, it’s before the 4th of July, but will be in the paper after the 4th. But I think it’s still necessary and worthy of print. I think of the great fun the 4th of July brings each year. My second daughter was born this day at 9:30 in the evening. The doctor told us we have our very own fireworks! Boy, was he right!! We’ve always enjoyed the festivities on the fourth and for about the first seven years of her life, our daughter, Annie, thought it was all for her and her birthday, (which it is). She cried one year because all the people who attended the parade weren’t coming over to our house for our family picnic. That would have been a lot of burgers!! The family and many friends come over and the day finally culminates with some spectacular and beautiful fireworks.

But every once in a while during the day, I think about YOU, the Veteran. I think about what this day really means to you. Having my family grow up in a country like the United States, knowing that YOU helped secure the freedoms that we all know today is something I’m grateful for. I know we seldom say “Thank-you” enough, but this letter is for YOU. There seems to always be wars and rumors of wars, and men and women like YOU have always been ready, willing and able to fight for our freedoms. Thank you!

You see, it’s because of YOU and men and women YOU served with that keeps us safe. It’s because of men and women just like YOU that we have the freedom to light some sparklers, enjoy the parades, eat a few burgers in the back yard and “ooh & aah” over the fireworks at night. Thank you for giving us the greatest country in the world, the U.S.A. Where else would I be given the opportunity to prove I can do something others might not even think possible? Where else do I have the protection of our Constitution that I am always an innocent man until proven guilty, and not guilty just because I might be accused of something?

Where else but America would someone likely stand up for someone else who needs a little help? Someone stood up for me once and I try to repay that effort when I can. That’s because of YOU! It’s because of you that my children and grandchildren have dreams and hopes and that they can actually see them become realities if they try hard enough. How many places around the world have YOU been that children have no dreams or hopes, except perhaps to find food and shelter and live another day?

Yes, I will once again take my family to the parades, and yes, I will stand as the Veterans walk by holding the American Flag. I will put my hand over my heart and I will sing The Star-Spangled Banner. I will do so because of men and women like YOU who took a few years or even more, to ensure my freedom and my safety. I will do my best to honor YOU and stand up for YOU because YOU honored me and stood up for me, by becoming a member of the military and today YOU are a Veteran. I will always remember YOU; I will always respect YOU and please know that YOUR sacrifices will never be for nothing.

This Independence Day and every other one, I will always be grateful for YOU. Happy 4th of July. Thank you. jsheda@indytel.com or reach me by phone at 319-327-4640. May God Bless all the Veterans and may God Bless America.