Veterans Day is a holiday we celebrate in our family. My husband served, as well as his father, 2 of his brothers, currently 3 nephews, my father, my uncle, and my grandfather, who was a full bird colonel in the army, serving in both WWII and the Korean War.  

This year, far from home, it was still a day I wanted to remember. We ended up in Cherokee, NC. This Veterans Day was special for them because they were unveiling a statue of a fallen Cherokee soldier from the Koean war. It was a moving ceremony with chanting warriors, an elder giving a prayer in both native and English language, and much song, including children singing in the native language and a young woman singing both the national anthem and the Cherokee national anthem. 

This young man, Charles George, was awarded the Medal of Honor for giving his life for his country and comrades. After a grueling trenches and hand to hand combat, a grenade was thrown into his trench and he saved his fellow men by throwing his body over it. He was 20 years old. 

The speeches were touching and repeated   the words freedom, sacrifice, and the American way. There was little political reference, other than to mention it had been a hard 15 months leading up to the unveiling. 

My mind, however, couldn’t put down the context and implications of these words. This young man died in 1952. This was very much still Jim Crow era, here in the south, especially. This man fought and died for a country that did not respect him. Why? His people had been persecuted and nearly obliterated for hundreds of years, but he chose to stand with them anyway.

I couldn’t help but think of our very recent election. One that feels  unfair, both in execution and in future policy. Although I fall into a more privileged category, I still feel the fear and uncertainty this new leadership brings to our country. But I’ve been trying to find my footing. Trying to find my joy, as well as my purpose. I take some wisdom from this young man. He certainly didn’t agree with all the laws of his country. He may have participated in protests, had he lived long enough. But there was enough right to fight for. I can only imagine he believed, however naively, that this great country of ours is truly based upon the principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence. That life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness can be afforded to all men under our canopy of justice. 

I’ll stand with Charles George. I’ll honor him by being proud of what my country stands for, even as I fight for the changes that need to come to pass. I will stand with those who, like Charles George himself, may be persecuted for their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that might make them different. 

I may never take up arms for my country, but I can do my part. 
After the ceremony there was a nice lunch offered with a number of speeches given by the American legion. Then we spent some time in fruitless endeavors (looking for pins, trying to go to closed museums, asking for recommendations from noncommittal Rangers) before taking our hike for the day to Mingo falls. Half mile, all stairs. 

We ended up back at Harrahs casino. Deon and I enjoyed a nice date night at the all-you-can-eat buffet while the kids binge watched movies. A good end to our day.