Veterans Day poem

In Honor of Veterans' Day, 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."