WHAT FOR OR WHY THANK A VETERAN
Many people come up to me and other veterans and thank us for our service. I am grateful for those kind words and reply, “Thank you very much, but I can never repay what this great nation has given to me!” The reality for most veterans is we feel that we did nothing special but were just doing our jobs like each hard-working American does each day.
When you say “thank you” to a veteran what are you thanking that veteran for? Certainly you are thanking that veteran for their time and dedication to the service of this country. But have you given thought to what that veteran has preserved, not just for you but for every American? Do we Americans know what our veterans have preserved and what so many around the world know about America?
A BRIEF HISTORY TO GIVE YOU A BACKGROUND ABOUT WHY WE THANK A VETERAN: Our Founding Fathers were well aware of British Government abuses to their subjects and specifically to the American Colonists. The British Government had a history of abuse towards individuals. The Monarchy had punished, tortured and killed subjects for disagreeing with the king or choosing a different religious path from the governments approved religion. With these and other abuses in mind the Bill of rights was created followed by the first ten amendments to the US Constitution. Did you know that of the 26 rights listed in the first 8 amendments, 15 focus on the criminal court procedures?
Did you know Congress cannot and has not, ever passed a law forcing you to worship a specific way, and Congress cannot prohibit your freedom of speech? We are peacefully assembled here today because we have that right. Thank a veteran!
Our great militia increased the security of all Americans on October 27, 2019, by killing Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. During the American Revolution from 1774 to 1775 the British seized gunpowder, banned gun imports and seized guns from American colonists. How many of you have guns at home? How many of you here have a concealed carry permit? Thank a veteran!
On May 3, 1765, the British Parliament passed a Quartering Act for the American Colonies. This law made it legal for Redcoats to be housed in colonist homes or in inns, with no compensation. How many of you have been forced to house troops without your consent? Thank a veteran!
How many of you know of anyone who has had the police break into a home and search that home without a warrant authorizing that search or seizure? Thank a veteran!
In the United States of America are you in danger of being held for a capital, or infamous crime, unless you have been legally charged? In the United States, if you are charged with a crime and found not guilty, can you be charged for the exact crime again and again until you are found guilty? In the United States does the government take private property without proper compensation? Thank a veteran!
In the United States if a person is charged with a crime do they sit in jail or prison for years and years, or is the trial conducted as quickly as it can be conducted? If the accused cannot afford a lawyer is a lawyer provided? Thank a veteran!
If you have a grievance with an individual or with the United States government, you have the right to go to a jury trial. The United States government cannot ignore the jury decision. If the jury decides that you have been wronged you are protected from overreach by a tyrannical government. Thank a veteran!
If you are charged with a crime the courts cannot set excessive bail, or set cruel and unusual punishment simply because some government figure does not like you or desires to get even. Thank a veteran!
In the United States you have the right to marry whomever you wish. Did you know that you can raise your children however you want? Did you know that you can refuse medical treatment or certain types of medical treatment? Did you know that … you … have certain rights but also rights retained by … the people …. over the government. Thank a veteran!
Did you know that the federal government has specific powers and so does each state? But any power these two do not have, you the people, the individual, has that power reserved. Thank a veteran!
I have paraphrased the original ten amendments to the United States Constitution because I believe this is what for and why we thank our veterans. These ten amendments are based on the Bill of Rights. How many of you truly understand the freedoms these rights give you or do you take them for granted?
On the 11th month, on the 11th day, on the 11th hour the war to end all wars was officially ended, but we know that was just another Utopian dream. From 1776 to 2019, the United States has been in conflict every year except for 17. We have been in conflict frequently to protect our rights as Americans.
We are really thanking our veterans for protecting the freedoms assured to us by the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights makes up the first ten amendments which protect the freedoms Americans take for granted, and too many of us are not aware of.
Memorial Day is a remembrance of those who have passed in combat. Veterans Day was established as the war to end all wars, and was in fact a celebration of life. We need to be thankful that veterans have always been willing to fight and die for this great nation and to fight for and protect people they do not even know.
Remember to thank a veteran, but mostly, remember why and what you are thanking that veteran for. Never take for granted the rights you have as an American, and remember to educate the future generations.
When you go to church this weekend remember to thank God that you live in America. Remember to thank God for the wisdom of our founding fathers and the veterans that are willing to fight for and protect your rights as an American!
God Bless America, God Bless our Founding Fathers, God Bless You & God Bless our Veterans
Thank you!!!