Today, November 11,  is Veterans Day, the day on which we honor those who served in the armed forces in active military service. Those who have served in this manner sacrificed much and placed themselves in harm’s way. Their families faced the hardship of a loved one’s absence and the stress of knowing the possibilities.

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Veterans may face both mental and physical harm and not exactly for the pay but rather to serve the country they love and believe in. Veterans fought and served for our rights and freedom. They did not fight and serve so we can kill each other, riot, fight, destroy, and hate. They did not fight and serve to enable the government to persecute the people it is supposed to serve for the sake of its own power, or to persecute its political adversaries for its own political gains.

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Yesterday in church, I heard the quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “The Church is the Church only when it exists for others… not dominating, but helping and serving.” The same can be said for our government. Veterans fought and served for such a government, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

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The government is to dole out justice, not promote persecution through prosecution. And for the government, or even the people to engage in these activities, is to dishonor the veterans, the very veterans who protected we the people and our country and government.

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So, honor the veterans today and every day thereafter. Be a good and engaged citizen. And if in government, serve the citizens well, not for political gains, but rather for our American ideals.

On behalf of the Phoenixville Republican Committee, and the good citizens and residents of these good Unites States of America, thank you, veterans.

 

Paul G. Celentano – Phoenixville Republican Committee.