So as everyone around the world takes time to remember their veterans and their sacrifice, I wanted to include one more group in this remembrance. That would be the thousands of civilian contractors that have served in this current war, and wars past. Their sacrifice and contribution to today’s war effort, and past war efforts, is worth every bit of respect and honor we can give them. Especially the 2000 plus contractors that have been killed in this current war, and the thousands out there that have been wounded.
It is also important to note that the ranks of contractors in this war are filled with actual military war time veterans. It is quite a thing to work side by side with a veteran of South Africa’s Border Wars, or a veteran of the Vietnam War. Or some veteran that worked multiple tours in today’s wars, both in Afghanistan and Iraq, and here they are, working as a contractor in today’s war. This special class of veteran is the type of individual that stepped up again to put their lives on the line, and give another ounce of flesh to the cause. Wether it be training Afghan police, cooking the food in a DEFAC, building living quarters for the troops, or delivering essential wartime goods on dangerous roads–contractors must be remembered on this day too.
Now to put my military veteran hat on, because many of us contractors have past service and past wars to remember. All of us who have that experience do not not need to be reminded to remember. If anything, this day comes with the hope that others will not forget these sacrifices, both past and present.
Let’s not forget about the families of contractors and military veterans too. They are the ones that count the days while their loved ones are gone, and fear those phone calls or visits that might bring news of death. They are the ones that keep raising the family while their loved one is overseas, and they are also the ones to raise that family alone when their loved one is killed or seriously injured. I salute you for your strength and dedication.
This post is also a dedication to the veterans from around the world who have at one point put it all on the line for their country during time of war. And no matter where or when, that experience is always a horrible sacrifice for all involved. There is nothing uplifting or positive about war, and the only good part about it is when it is over and everyone can go back to living their lives in peace.
So with that sad, I am always touched by the words in the famous wartime poem ‘In Flanders Fields‘, by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. This poem says it all and I wanted to put it up here as a dedication to all veterans, both military and contractor, past and present, and around the world–this is for you.-Matt
In Flanders fields the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.