Seems many are concerned about "getting" and not "giving".
The "giving" part is what makes you the better person as it reminds One that you value something that is larger than yourself.
The Deceased knows nothing of what you do and as there are no Next of Kin to be appreciative of your actions, it gets down to those who participate in these things knowing there are others in Life who place a unique value upon their Military service and that of others.
Showing Honor and Respect to a complete stranger, but a person who shared your Service in the Military, is the least we can do especially at that last final act of their Life.
I have always come away from such things feeling a bit better for the experience.
I always got as more than I gave when I did.
Two,
You are exactly right. That is why we place so much value upon working with Veteran's Charities and other Veterans Out Reach efforts.
My one Chapter of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) raises $40,000 a year for Veteran's Charities and participate in the Patriot Guard Riders Funeral Escort program along with many other efforts throughout the Year.
Back during the Government Shutdown where Obama ordered the War Memorials Barrycaded......a few Hundred Thousand of Us went to Washington DC and removed the Barrycades and assisted WWII Veterans in visiting their Memorial. We then removed those Barrycades from the Vietnam Memorial and carried them to the White House for his inspection.
In my State we have 764,384 Veterans amongst the Population making us 12% of the Total Population. 573,472 served in Combat or Combat Areas.
Simply put....there are a lot of Us!
Last edited by Boudreaux Bob; 22nd Sep 2014 at 12:08.