By Dennis R. Pierce
BLET National President
CLEVELAND, November 11 — Earlier this year, I had the honor of attending the BLET’s Southwestern Convention Meeting in Galveston, Texas. The convention’s opening ceremony was on the 11th anniversary of 9-11, and all in attendance participated in a solemn remembrance for those innocent lives lost during the worst terrorist attack in American history.
Fittingly, our Color Guard that morning consisted of three BLET veterans — Mike Zenner, Division 130 (Kansas City, Kan.), Orlando Penrod , Division 6 (Boone, Iowa), and Paul Aird, Division 173 (Fon du Lac, Wisc.).
The tragic events of 9-11 are a touchstone for members of today’s military. Many of the brave women and men serving our country cite 9-11 as the reason they volunteered to serve America and fight for our freedom. Indeed, many of today’s soldiers were not even of age on September 11, 2001, but so strong were their convictions that they joined the military as soon as they turned 18 years old.
Now that our nation’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan is winding down, these brave young men and women are coming home. They deserve our thanks, but they are not alone. Behind every soldier who serves is a family who serves. The fear and anxiety these family members endure is beyond description, and they are deserving of our nation’s gratitude.
On this Veterans Day we honor all veterans, the fallen, and their families. I ask all BLET members to honor those who are serving and those who have served. Please take a moment to say a prayer of thanks to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Please join me in honoring all of America’s veterans with the dignity and respect they so richly deserve.