SERVE SOMEBODY

From Steve: Karen Spears Zacharias writes blog I read regularly. On Veteran’s Day she posted an article entitled, “Serve Someday.” Here’s part of what she said:

Today at the Wall I was moved to tears many times but the moment when I almost lost it was when three teen girls, about 14 or 15, came up to an old Vietnam veteran. They handed him a letter that they had written. A class project, I suspect.

“We just wanted to tell you that we recognize your service and we want to thank you for that, sir,” the blond girl said.

“Yes,” added the dark-haired, shorter girl. “We really do appreciate all you have done. Thank you, sir.”

The old man, leaning on a cane, fought back tears as he accepted that letter from those girls. When he hobbled off, they turned to each other and began crying. As they turned to leave I read the back of their shirts: Serving those who’ve served.

Exactly.

It is not enough to set aside a day a year to say thank you to a veteran, an active duty personnel or a military family. We need to find ways to serve these people throughout the year.

Whether that’s through the work you do with the homeless, or through the friendships you build at bible study, or through Rotary, or if you’re a teacher teaching the next generation to care about the forgotten one, Bob Dylan had it right — You need to serve somebody.