Here’s my annual salute for Veterans for Veterans Day. I have taken the liberty (editorial license) to re-phrase the St. Crispin’s Day speech from William Shakespeare’s play, Henry V. (My apologies to Bill.) If you haven’t read it, check it out. It will resonate. It’s the speech that Henry V made to the English Army shortly before the Battle of Agincourt on the morning of 25 October 1415. That’s where the term, "Band of Brothers", comes from. Here’s my twist on it:
Sunday is Veterans Day. Those of us who came home will stand attention this day and salute all veterans, living or dead, who answered when their country called. Those who had no stomach for the fight decided not to answer and stayed home. We didn’t care to die in their company when they valued their lives more than fighting and dying with us. We, who survived, will strip our sleeves and show our scars each year during this day, and say, "These wounds I had in the service of my country."
Sunday is Veterans Day. Those of us who came home will stand attention this day and salute all veterans, living or dead, who answered when their country called. Those who had no stomach for the fight decided not to answer and stayed home. We didn’t care to die in their company when they valued their lives more than fighting and dying with us. We, who survived, will strip our sleeves and show our scars each year during this day, and say, "These wounds I had in the service of my country."
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