Honor

Veterans Day prompts many memories. Mostly stories. Old voices sharing stories of sacrifice and fear and humor. Time has dimmed their short term memory, but has left their moments of service untouched. Young voices, still enthusiastic, tell stories filled with the moment. They are still working through what their memories mean to them. Both groups tell stories from a perspective of honor. Their recollections center on honor towards their comrades. What they did right, even when under fire. They are of course, patriots. But their stories tell us that honor to country is built on honor to our comrades in arms. Our buddies. The people we slept next to in a muddy fighting position. Or showed off their feet with blisters after a brutal road march. Or read a tough letter to during some down time.

We marvel at the bravery and endurance of ordinary men and women. But we forget that honor banishes fear. Where there is no honor, there is always fear. Fear kills initiative. And in combat, initiative is everything. When the plan meets contact, it comes down to a group of friends working out how to accomplish their mission. They are the microcosm of battle. Because of honor, the idea of failure is intolerable. It is not individual bravery, skill or particular fitness. These help, but without honor, the thing that binds men together, nothing great can be accomplished.

When we got out of the military, we say we miss the camaraderie. I believe we really miss the honor. Doing right because of who I am and who my buddy is.

I appreciate the example that veterans set. In service and honor.