TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Veterans Day grew out of the national commemoration of the World War I Armistice. It was the war to end all wars and the nations hoped for an era of cooperation and peace. They, unfortunately, were not the last generation of warriors.

Today we honor all our veterans. At the root of our respect and appreciation is the work they do to preserve a secure peace here at home.

When the environment in which liberty flourishes is threatened, Americans willingly fight to protect and restore that environment. The goal of war should always be to re-establish a peaceful security for the pursuit of individual fulfillment.

I don't know a lot of veterans. My dad is an Army veteran of the Korean War. My uncle was in the Air Force during Vietnam and my grandfather was in the Navy between the World Wars. I was too young for Vietnam and too old for Desert Storm.

My mother's uncle was a lieutenant commander on a submarine in World War II. At one point his boat was lost and the entire crew presumed dead. His mother, my great-grandmother, captured the simple and incisive grief of a sailor's mother in this poem.

"Navy Cross"

"I sealed his sleepy eyes with my lips.

(Not Mary loved little Jesus more)

Left him to dream of beautiful ships

And softly closed the door.

I touched the medal with livid lips.

(Not Mary mourned her tall son more)

He had found his dream of beautiful ships

(Mary what are crosses for?)"

Every veteran is some mother's child. And the restless distress parents are forced to endure should not be overlooked during this holiday. They are helpless against the danger and uncertainty of war as their sons and daughters stand vigil over peace.

While there is nothing we can do to assuage their anxiety, we can offer our comfort and strength. We can stand with them as they wait until they can once again enjoy the peace that disconcerts them.

One of the most poignant images of a veteran I have witnessed was at a Tea Party event. An old man sat on a concrete bench with his old dogs on leashes at his feet. He wore a ball cap that said "USS California" on the front.

I later learned that California was sunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. But the ship was refloated, reconstructed and returned to battle in the Pacific near the end of World War II.

I perceived him as a survivor of the attack on California. This old veteran embodied the true patriot willing to sacrifice everything in war for the future of peace.

He represents the men and women, ready to protect our liberty, who fell in war. Yet he is one of the fortunate ones who survived to appreciate and share the peace that was won.

In President Woodrow Wilson proclamation of the new national observance of Armistice Day, he said:

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

Veterans as our liberators! Yes, we are grateful that you have freed us from the threats of oppressive and powerful regimes. We are grateful that you have preempted the designs of those who despise our freedom.

In so doing you have assured that our country is in a position to stand with others around the world for the simple security and peace that frees people to seek fulfillment.

Thank you for your service in the unending mission for peace.

Ric Llewellyn is one of three community columnists whose work appears here every Saturday. These are the opinions of Llewellyn, not necessarily The Californian. You can email him at llewellyn.californian@gmail.com. Next week: Heather Ijames.