They say pictures are worth a thousand words. They also say things like Freedom doesn’t come free.

We often use tropes like this to help us handle things that may sometimes be far to real and difficult to comprehend. We like our cliches in America, because it helps us put our dreams in small packages that sound great. I offer these pictures in place of thousands of words I wish I could say. I wish I could go to every single soldier and express my thanks in some grand way that would be enough, but enough is never enough.

We in Ellijay, took Veteran’s Day to celebrate with a parade and honor ceremony downtown, another step on the path of thanks and recognition. A moving ceremony led by Major Sam Burrell, Commander, Group V, Civil Air Patrol, brought many, including me, to tears as celebrations rang out from elementary children chanting,”USA! USA! USA!” to a rendition of the song Letters from War by First Baptist Church Minister of Music Scott Eaton that poured tears from citizens, crushed my heart, and brought more than a couple veterans to their knees.

Such pride and heartfelt emotion was tangible in the square as the Honor Guard presented the nations colors, and each division of military was highlighted in the Salute to the Armed Forces as their own flag was presented and paraded out before the stage.

Maybe it was the keynote speech given by Dr. Charles Webb, a highly decorated veteran and recent interim Superintendent for the Gilmer School System, that really brought me back to earth to think about these veterans relationships to me. Many of the soldiers I saw, I honestly had no idea who they were, what there names were, or even a rank for many of them. Yet, as Dr. Webb recalled a story between him and his father, also a veteran, I was overwhelmed by the fact that these men tended to see me as family.

Family. A bond not always between relatives, but this family was bound in blood. A family which is protected by our strong. No, they didn’t specifically think of my name on the battlefield, but as they clutched a picture of their girl back home, thought deeply about a son or daughter, prayed for a husband, or stopped to think about friends left behind, I stood behind that thought. On a battlefield, I can’t help but imagine every soldier has a moment when they have to decide if it is worth it.  These people who will truly know exactly what changes inside of those who serve, how could they understand the weight, the enormity of pressure pushing down on a soldier.

I’ll never know that. I will never feel what they feel. I will never understand a soldier’s comment, “Sometimes I think the ones who died are the lucky ones. I ask would death be better than living with whatever is inside me now.”

So what can I do? Can anyone say thank you enough? Can anyone offer a comparable gift to these men and women? I can only stand in honor as some pledges allegiance to the flag, when someone sings our nations anthem, when someone plays soft Taps on a bugle. I stand with my hand over my heart. I try to physically hold a thought there of these people who are living sacrifices to our freedom.

So I have to leave you with two final sayings. One was mentioned by Dr. Webb in his speech, “Only two people have ever offered to die for you, Jesus and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.” However, I want you take that further with you today knowing that those who lived, lived with their sacrifice.

“Some gave all, but all gave some”