As a military veteran who has proudly served in Vietnam, I wish to thank the many Americans who honor us on Veterans Day. I, too, want to thank my fellow veterans who have and continue to serve, without question, all residents of this country. To them, I say, welcome home, comrade.
But many heroes deserve to be honored and recognized, too. I am referring to the many spouses, families and friends who remained safe at home, raising the children and siblings of those of us who served.
People don’t realize that so many of them never knew if, or when, they would ever see their loved ones again, and dreaded getting news saying that their loved one was either dead, wounded or missing. They, too, are heroes.
Unfortunately, there were those who have and still disrespect those of us who selflessly served but still bask in the glory of the fact that we live in a country founded for and by immigrants, who, so many, gave their lives for the freedom that we all, as written in the Constitution, deserve to live in.
I only ask that the powers that be look in the mirror and find out which country your family migrated from. Then remember Jesus’ words: “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Ray Jaramillo
Durango
