This being the 250th year of an independent United States it would be an appropriate moment to reflect on all the sacrifice that has gone into winning independence, and sustaining it in an oft hostile world.
The army led by George Washington formed the first line of U.S. military veterans. Many in the Continental Army were Irish immigrants and such was their fighting effect that there was a view after the war that the presence in the ranks of so many Irish was a decisive factor in that conflict.
Over time, the faces of veterans would change, but in the first century or so of independence they were invariably male and white.
The Civil War would change that but not before the Irish once again charged to the fore of a united America's cause.
The photo accompanying this editorial is of one side of the Irish Brigade memorial at Antietam in Maryland, site of this bloodiest of battles in September, 1862.
The memorial was the last to be allowed on the battlefield site by the National Park Service and was dedicated in October, 1997. So next year will mark its 30th anniversary.
The memorial is just yards from the field where the Irish Brigade charged Confederate positions in a sunken road that would become known as Bloody Lane.
The Brigade suffered enormous losses in what was a virtually face to face exchange of fire. It was only withdrawn after its surviving members ran out of ammunition.
"Thank you for your service" seems to fall a little short in this case. It would fall short in the context of wars to come. It virtually vanished during and after Vietnam but has, thankfully, made a return in more recent years.
Still, we have to go beyond just words of thanks. Members of the U.S. armed forces are effectively veterans from day one of their service. They deserve to be treated with the utmost respect just as they are required to adhere to a high code of honor.
They deserve the very best of civilian leadership. They deserve that thanks when they conclude their service. And if they make the ultimate sacrifice they deserve the respect and prayers of a grateful nation while their families deserve all necessary support.
Today's military is, thankfully, a reflection of today's America. The veterans from World War II have almost all left us. The veterans of Korea are fast bidding farewell too. The veterans of Vietnam are advancing rapidly into senior years. The veterans of all subsequent conflicts are still comparatively young, and still among us in considerable numbers.
They deserve the very best of support. They deserve the very best of medical care, and psychological care if needed.
It is indeed a good thing that we thank our veterans for their service. But we need to go beyond thanks if need be. It's the least we can all do.
