Not too long ago I had the benefit of attending a fundraising event for veterans. We listened to former Navy SEALS speak of veteran’s sacrifices both on the battlefield and off. They spoke about the needs of our military community and how we as Americans need to do our part in giving back to those that stood in our place for the freedoms we enjoy today.
Their message was succinct, impressive, emotionally charged and extremely inspiring. But what I remember most from what they said was: DON’T THANK THEM. Now, they weren’t implying not to be thankful for their service or to show our gratitude. I image that came as a shock to some, but for me it was a familiar sentiment I’ve heard many times from friends that served in special forces.
A dear friend of mine who recently passed away told me some things about Veterans Day I’ll never forget. He was a top graduate from West Point and served as an officer in the United States Army. He led, he fought and I’m certain he lost soldiers under his command, but I’ll never know because I’ve learned that’s something you don’t ask or discuss. When I thanked him for his service, he told me not to thank him. I was puzzled and, if I can be honest, a little offended. I mean, here I am…a patriotic citizen doing my part, right? I’m thanking him. What he said forever changed my perspective. He said:
“Jeremy, veterans don’t want to be thanked for their service. They want you to never forget. They want you to remember. They want you to stand with them while they’re gone and when they return home. They want you to think of the ultimate sacrifices their brothers and sisters paid for our freedoms. To many, Veterans Day represents a day of struggle as they wrestle with the internal question of “why me”. Many find it hard to be thanked. Be compassionate, be sensitive and be considerate during this time. You never know what they’re going through. And above all, find a way to give back. Serve them with your time, and by donating to charities dedicated to helping those veterans in need. That’s what you do instead of saying thank you.”
Wow! That slapped me hard! I’m sad to say this, but I’ve never thought about it that way. I didn’t fully understand the impact of that lecture either until that same person invited me to a fundraiser serving those in Special Operations.
I never understood the difficulties of saying goodbye before deployment, the stresses of uncertainty that follow a spouse every day or the struggle in having to assimilate back into a society that fails to recognize their value. I never understood the internal struggles veterans deal with as they remember their brothers and sisters who paid the ultimate price and the spouses who struggle to remain strong when they themselves have no strength left. It’s easy to say we can relate because we’ve seen something on the news about it or because we’ve read a touching article. But until you’ve watched a veteran struggle to keep tears back because an organization supported the needs of their family before, during and after deployment, we’ll never understand the true meaning of our service to them.
Just as we rely on them to keep us safe abroad, they rely on us to help them when they return home. To many Americans, veterans are heroes, but we have to recognize that we are theirs too.
For hours, I witnessed the tearful testimonies of operators and what that organization had done for them and their families in their time of need.
That evening I would come to realize something for the first time in my life: soldiers face battles on two fronts – one with the enemy and one at home.
About Cardboard Spaceship
Cardboard Spaceship is a full-service video production company with Emmy-award winning directors and editors that create branded video content that drive emotional connection to brands. We work directly with advertising agencies, public relations firms, organizations and business across all industries to help stories find their voice.
[section_settings] => Array ( [classnames] => [section_id] => ) [max_width] => 1 [above_content] => Array ( [enabled] => [content_item] => Array ( [] => [content] => [content_wrapper] => 1 [wrapper_classnames] => [wrapper_id] => ) ) [below_content] => Array ( [enabled] => [content_item] => Array ( [] => [content] => [content_wrapper] => 1 [wrapper_classnames] => [wrapper_id] => ) ) )If you need a worthy organization to donate to, I suggest the Joint Service Special Operations Fund. This charity develops and supports numerous activities and particularly those that provide a brief respite to the stresses of combat deployment faced by these operators and their families.
$0.92 cents of every dollar go directly to funding activities for the operators and their families in need. If you would like more information, you can visit their website.
For other organizations that are notable and worth donating to, consider these:
About Cardboard Spaceship
Cardboard Spaceship is a full-service video production company with Emmy-award winning directors and editors that create branded video content that drive emotional connection to brands. We work directly with advertising agencies, public relations firms, organizations and business across all industries to help stories find their voice.
