I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the American Legion banquet in Sioux Falls, where State Commander Bill Peters was being recognized at his homecoming celebration.
As you can see, quite a few people showed up.
My assignment was to speak about volunteering and sacrifice. And while I received some kind comments about my presentation, what has stayed with me most wasn’t anything I said.
It was something I witnessed.
At one point, the master of ceremonies asked everyone to “please stand if you’re able.”
I noticed a man in a maroon polo shirt struggling mightily to get to his feet. He grabbed the back of a chair, grimaced, and insisted on standing.
Tears were streaming down his face.
I couldn’t tell whether they were tears of pain or tears of pride. Maybe they were both.
I later learned his name was Mark Weiman, a past state commander of the American Legion.
I can only imagine the planning, determination, and physical effort it may have taken for him to attend an event like this.
The room was filled with veterans. Many carried visible reminders of their sacrifices. Others, no doubt, carried burdens the rest of us could never see.
I just happened to witness one example.
We have a habit of repeating certain phrases until they almost lose their meaning.
“Thank you for your service.”
“Freedom isn’t free.”
We say them because they matter. But sometimes the truth behind those words is much harder to put into words ourselves.
Sometimes, it takes a picture.
A picture of a veteran gripping the back of a chair, fighting through whatever pain he carries, determined to stand alongside those who served.
A man who understands the meaning of service and sacrifice in a way that words alone could never explain.
And a reminder that when we say, “Thank you for your service,” we ought to understand just how much that service may have cost.
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