Veteran’s Day has a special place in my heart. My grand uncle marched in the United States Army with General Patton across Europe during World War II. My father served in the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Essex during the Korean War. My uncle, a U.S. Air Force pilot, was killed in Vietnam. Me? I served in the 97th Medical Group of the 97th Air Mobility Wing of the United States Air Force toward the end of hostilities of the Gulf War.
If you look hard enough, you’ll probably find family members, friends, and relations who have served and maybe given their lives fighting for America. Maybe their names are listed on the wall at the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor. Maybe their names are engraved on the Vietnam War Memorial wall in Washington DC. Maybe they have a white cross in France, close to the beaches of Normandy. Maybe they were given to the sea as their final resting place. Maybe the name on their marker reads, “Unknown.” Maybe they were designated Missing in Action and never found.
On this day, I’m remembering those who gave their lives. I’m paying tribute to those who returned wounded or injured – physically, mentally, emotionally. I’m grateful to those who served, and I salute the men and women currently on active duty. Some of them are far from home and those who love them. Many are in harm’s way.
This Veteran’s Day, take a moment to reflect on those who served and those who currently serve. They’re not so different from you or me. They are Americans, after all. And I’m grateful they are on our side.
– Mark Horrocks MD is the Chief Medical Officer of Health West Inc. Health West has 18 clinics located in southeast Idaho, northern Utah, and western Wyoming.
