This special column commemorating Veterans Day was written exclusively for HeadlineSurfer.com by Volusia County Chair Jason Davis, a combat-wounded veteran, who lives in Pierson.DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- On the 11th hour, of the 11th day of 1918, there was a lull in the fighting during World War I. This eventually became what we now call Veterans Day.
This day is different from most holidays that we celebrate for veterans, for this is the day we thank all veterans for their service, and their dedication to the United States of America.
I am a veteran myself. I served in places that we still do not discuss, and I have done the things I do not talk about.
Did I do them for recognition? No. Did I do them for fame? No. Did I do these things for a pretty ribbon or badge? No.
The battles I fought, and won, were for the preservation of the American way of life. I sweated and fought through the Jungles of Panama, patrolled the border between North and South Korea. I fought on the Highway of Death in Iraq; not for me, not for medals, not for fame.
The battles I fought, and won, were for the preservation of the American way of life. I sweated and fought through the Jungles of Panama, patrolled the border between North and South Korea. I fought on the Highway of Death in Iraq; not for me, not for medals, not for fame.
I suffered for many years away from my then-wife and from my daughter, living in the most atrocious conditions. I dealt with poisonous snakes, scorpions, and several other animals that would do great harm to anyone.
I trained hard, and trained my men to survive, for months at a time, as far away from civilization as one can get. Sometimes with nothing more than a knife to survive with.
We have gone to far away Third World countries, and have seen that horrors of war, and we have tried to assist those who are less fortunate to live in such conditions. Sometimes successfully, sometimes not.
During my time in service, I also made some very strong bonds with my fellow soldiers.
These are the kind of bonds that last a lifetime, a friendship that would require nothing more than an phone call, and I will be there.
So why do we do these things? Why do we put our lives on hold, live in such deplorable conditions, and put our lives on the line? For what reason would anyone do such things?
I've done them for you. As have all of my brothers and sisters in combat or otherwise in harm's way. You are the reason we live, fight and sometimes die for. We do so for the preservation of your rights and freedoms.
So why do we do these things? Why do we put our lives on hold, live in such deplorable conditions, and put our lives on the line? For what reason would anyone do such things? I've done them for you. As have all of my brothers and sisters in combat or otherwise in harm's way. You are the reason we live, fight and sometimes die for. We do so for the preservation of your rights and freedoms.
So today, and every day from now on, as you travel through you days, whenever you see a veteran, or find out some one is a veteran, please stop what you are doing, and shake that person's hand, and welcome him or her home, and thank them for their service, because my friend, we did it all for you.