Having just paused for a minute silence for Remembrance Day it always makes me so grateful for the life I have and for those that sacrificed and risk their lives for us to be able to live the life we do. I have the ultimate respect for the people who went to war and continue to go to war and protect our way of life. They don't get nearly enough recognition for what they do. They do it because they have a greater purpose then most of us, it isn't about fame or money like most things are about these days. You couldn't go through what they do if that was your only reason for doing it, no amount of money is worth what they see and do. It changes your entire life, sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad.
I don't think I'd be able to do the things soldiers do or handle what they see. People sit back and say "oh yeah I could do this or that" but it's not the movies, you actually have to perform those acts of courage. You're not just sitting in your armchair. You also have to do things that most humans are unable to and would never consider doing. I once heard a saying that said "there are no extraordinary men, just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with". In that case I am very thankful for the ordinary men that took on these extraordinary circumstances. I also feel we have an obligation to uphold the culture and values that these soldiers sacrificed their lives for. These days people sell out way too easily and we can take many lessons from the actions of our soldiers.
Thinking about war and how horrible it must have been to live through those tough times makes me realise that a lot of the things we feel are important in today's world really aren't at all. Work , money, etc. would mean nothing to you if you were in their situation. While work and money are definitely a necessity I just feel we let them control our lives far too much. I am sure they were thinking more about their loved ones, their family and their friends, the human emotional connections, not material things. Its very easy to get caught up being "busy" in today's world but we have to think about what we really want in life and prioritise time for it. This is a big problem for myself lately that I am really beginning to address again. No-one, at the end of their life, ever says "if I only worked more hours".
We live in a great period of time with many comforts and more opportunities then we have ever had in history. If we take some core values from the soldiers I think we can use them to help us achieve our goals and get through any struggles that we may feel are overbearing, and can do it with humility and respect.
No amount of words will ever be thanks enough, but thank you. You will not be forgotten.