Remembering the American Soldier

Today is Veteran’s Day. To commemorate the day, we traveled to Ardennes American Cemetery in Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium. This is a World War II cemetery where over 5,000 soldiers who died at the Battle of the Bulge have been laid to rest. It isn’t the biggest cemetery for American soldiers in Europe, but it was a first for me.

Since most places had their official ceremonies marking Veteran’s Day over the weekend, we were the only people there during our visit. That really added to the solemnness of the occasion. It was also very cold today and that somehow added to the experience as well.

The thing that really got to me were all of the different states that were represented. Indiana, Washington, Iowa, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Missouri, Wisconsin, Tennessee... There were so many that I did see and so many more that I didn’t. Now, I’m sure you are wondering why on Earth this would be the thing that would affect me. Let me explain.

Living the life of an American living in America, you generally see yourself as an “Iowan”, or a “Texan” or whatever. Sure we’re all from the same country but... well, we’re “Iowans” or “Texans” or whatever.

Living the life of an American living overseas has given me a little different take on this. When people ask where I’m from, the first thing they are looking for is what country, not what state, I am from. Here I am an American first.

So as I walked amongst all of those crosses today, it was almost startling to me to see the distinction made as to which state they were from. They were American men, fighting for America. The fact that they came together from all over our nation and united in that effort is inspiring. The fact that it still happens today continues to inspire me.

When we are on SHAPE, there are a lot of different nations and their soldiers represented. It is comforting to me, to be able to look around and see an American soldier walking down the sidewalk or going into the store. I don’t really care what part of the country he is from. He is an American and he is a soldier and he is over here to protect my freedom. He is a hero to me.