The liberties that I can take for granted — for instance, the right to write this article — were secured by the sacrifices of our veterans. They risked their lives, often left their professions and separated themselves from their homes and families to protect our country. I feel this way about all who have served in our armed forces, but, perhaps because I know their stories best, on Veterans Day, I often reflect on the service of my forefathers.
I think of my great-great grandfather, a German immigrant, who, at the age of 50, enlisted to fight as a Union soldier in the Civil War.