“Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. Look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death!”

—Sun Tzu

Tuesday is a day set aside to celebrate veterans; unfortunately it’s not a day that many people think about.

In our community we have many veterans; some who came back home in flag-draped caskets.

Growing up in a Navy town and having published newspapers in other military communities, I personally have met military people from top Admirals and Generals to boots-on-the-ground grunt soldiers and sailors.

I find it troubling and disheartening to see this president and his cohorts strip the military, provide inadequate care for their needs, make decisions that reward cowardice and pay no attention to the plight of a decorated U.S. Marine who languished for more than 200 days in a Mexican jail for making the mistake of making the wrong turn at the Tijuana border.

I myself have made that same mistake at that same border.

Our nation, although wavering, is still strong because of the heart and courage of our veterans. You are reading these comments because of our veterans. You voted last Tuesday because of our veterans.

I as I’m sure many of you do, I include in my prayers everyday a special thanks for our veterans.

May we suggest that in your place of worship today make sure that a prayer of thanks is said for our veterans.

If you have a veteran in your house take a moment and tell them thanks, better yet give them a hug.

God Bless our Veterans not just Tuesday but every day of the year.

On a personal note, I want to thank my grandfathers, my grandmother, my father, my uncles, my brother, my many cousins and my brother-in-law, who gave his life during the Viet Nam conflict for their service, I will always be grateful for their sacrifice.

T.Pat Cavanaugh
The Covington News Publisher