Staff writer
Whenever I attend services to honor our military men and women, I get emotional. When I hear or join in singing patriotic songs, I get a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.
It happened again at the Veterans Day program at Centre Elementary School. Afterward, I asked myself why. Why do I get so emotional?
Maybe, being musically inclined, it’s just that beautiful, harmonious music tends to affect me that way. Or maybe it’s because the focus on America evokes a sense of unity and creates a certain spiritual atmosphere that goes beyond selfish thoughts or desires.
Maybe it’s because of an overwhelming sense of awe and gratitude for the men and women, past and present, who were willing to give themselves to defend our freedom, and not ours only but that of others around the world.
I think of all the soldiers who have endured and still are enduring horrible conditions, fighting against inhumane enemies. Many have died, and for what? What are they defending? Are they protecting our individual rights to be responsible for our own lives, or are they protecting a government that more and more is taking away our freedom?
I hope, through my tears, that they have not served in vain.