When you see a veteran, say thanks

Editor,

I'm writing in response to a letter in the Lake County Leader entitled "Don't take freedoms for granted."

The reason why we have this freedom is because of the men and women have died to protect the freedom that we all enjoy.

With the freedom that we as U.S. citizens have, we can vote for who we want as president, go to school, go to work, and anything we as citizens have that other countries don't have. I agree with Bernadine Lovell that unless you have put on the uniform, carried a gun, driven one of the vehicles of our U.S. Armed Forces, or have signed up to put your life on the line for our country, don't complain for something you have not earned.

I also come from a military family of men and women who have served our country. My father, mother, uncle Marty, aunt Boots, and my uncle Jim were all in the Air Force and my grandfather was in the Navy. My father fought in World War II, and in Korea. My grandfather was in the Navy during World War II. My neighbor Frank Huber was also in World War II helping to fight for our wonderful freedom that we all enjoy — [as did] our veterans who fought in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, in the first Gulf war, and now in Iraq, and Afghanistan.

So the next time you see a veteran go up to them, shake their hand and say to them, "Thank you for fighting for my freedom."

So when you go to bed at night, get on your knees and thank God for our young men and women who fight to keep our freedom free.

Lynn Delecaris

St. Ignatius.