What comes to mind when you think of Veteran's Day? A bunch of old guys parading down Main Street wearing VFW hats? What exactly is Veteran's Day? And why should you care?

Have you ever asked a veteran "why?" Why do you serve? Since 1973, America has been defended by an all-volunteer military. Ever wonder why men and women give up such huge chunks of their lives to serve in our armed forces? Ever wonder why anyone would volunteer for low pay, long hours and infinite peril? Why would so many young people with their entire lives ahead of them offer to go to places they have never heard of, where they are often not wanted, where people most likely despise them and are in many cases trying to kill them? Why would someone willingly step up for months of separation from home and family? Weeks without showers, meals eaten from a bag, sleeping on the ground, no communication with the "real world"? Why would these young people endure such hardships for an American public that is often so seemingly unappreciative? Have you ever thought about it? Why do they do it?

For me, there never seemed to be any question. I always seemed to have some inner sense of duty; a sense that I wanted to be a part of the American tradition of answering the call. Don't know why, but for me it was just always THERE. I grew up in the 60's, when our TV screens were being bombarded with images of Viet Nam, so I knew the risks. I knew that this was serious business. So why did I go? Why volunteer for such madness? The only answer is that I wanted to go. I had to go. I felt like it was my duty, my responsibility to serve. America did not become the greatest nation on this planet because people stayed home and let someone else do the dirty work. When enemies threatened, Americans put down their shovels and picked up their weapons. They picked up their weapons in order to defend the freedoms we all hold so dear; freedom to speak our minds, freedom to assemble, freedom to elect our leaders peaceably, freedom to worship God openly, freedom to pursue "The American Dream", freedom to choose. I could no more ignore that call to duty than I could have ignored a child's cry from a burning building. I could not, would not, stand by and let others go in my place. To fight and, if necessary, to die defending our flag (I defy anyone to desecrate our flag in MY presence). Call it love of country, call it patriotism, call it whatever you want, but I love this country. I love this country and everything it represents. The Star Spangled Banner brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. But I'm not the only one. At this very moment, there are hundreds of thousands of Americans just like me, who stood up and said "I'll go, send me".

So, Veteran's Day is a BIG deal. It's an opportunity for all Americans to say "Thank You" to their veterans.

So, take the opportunity. Not just on Veteran's Day, but every day; in the airport, at the grocery store, standing in line at the bank, say "Thank you" to your veterans. "Thank you for the freedoms we enjoy in this great land. Thank you for standing up and defending those freedoms for me. Thank you for your willingness to sacrifice. Thank you for taking my place."

"Thank you for your service." THAT'S why.

Dan Hoggatt