In Honor of Veterans' Day, Thursday, November 11th...

Mommy, What is a Veteran?
by Linda Ellis copyright 1998

"Mommy, what is a veteran?"
my child asked in an innocent way
"and could you please explain to me
why we have a Veterans' Day?"

My mind searched for the adjectives
that might help me clarify
those people, who for their country
have looked death in the eye.

I quickly grabbed the dictionary
to see what Webster may have used
but "one who served in the armed forces"
were not the words that I would choose.

But, how do you describe a veteran --
soldiers you have never met,
those you'll never know the names of
and yet...never will forget?

How do you describe a veteran?
How do you convey a definition
for those who brought this country's dreams
to their ultimate fruition?

How do you describe a veteran --
strangers who fought for you,
men and women who risked their lives
for people they never knew?

How do you describe a veteran --
and the sacrifices they made
so that you and your children's children
could live free...and unafraid?

How do you describe a veteran --
for a child's sake?
You say "a veteran is a person to whom
we owe every breath we take."

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