Veterans Day 2009

It's no secret that SCAdians are a little... well... odd. In the SCA, we all look forward to war. For us, it's a chance to get together with old friends and meet new while spending the days fighting, knowing that even though we may be killed, we'll be back to fight again.

Outside the SCA, that's not true. In a real war, people are killed. For real. And quite often, the dead are the lucky ones. But still, there are those who answer the call, fighting for friends, family and country. They see and do things that most people just can't imagine, and what most people consider remarkable, they consider business as usual. Soldiers, sailors and airmen all do what needs to be done.

In the United States, there are two days each year dedicated to our fighting men and women. One, Memorial Day, is dedicated to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives in service to their country. The other, Veterans Day - today - is the day to recognize and remember all who served their country, whether in peacetime or war.

Veterans are all around us. The old man down the street, the clean-cut kid in your English class, maybe even your English teacher. There is no easy way to spot them, but they are there. And if you do spot one, thank him or her.

And whether you do or not, I hope you'll join me in praying for peace. Praying for the end of war. Praying to no longer need rough men who stand ready in our defense. War may be human nature, but I, for one, pray that we can rise above it.