Saying thank you to veterans is the least we can do

What do words do? What do words mean? 

The saying goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Of course, that is not true. If words did not hurt, then there would not be as many comments on Facebook.

There are meanings behind words. I watched as my wife tells every veteran she passes, “Thank you for your service.” Some may say how Jill knew that the man or woman we walked by was in the military.

Simple – they are either wearing a shirt that says it or they have donned a hat with their battalion or branch of service. They are proud of their service. And not only should they be proud, but we should be thrilled because of what they have done.

I do my best to say “Thanks” to every veteran I see. It is not normally a long conversation. You may or may not see them smile. But you know by telling them those five words, you have expressed your gratitude.

During my more than 28 years in journalism, I have had the opportunity to interview many veterans. Whether it was in Milledgeville or here in Dublin, I have sat down with many who have served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard. 

They told me why they went into the service, where they went, what action they saw (if they saw any) and how they returned home. It was always inspiring to talk to these men and women.

I have been to many programs at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center. Each one is patriotic. It is something to see those who have limitations of what they can do, stand and salute when the American flag is brought in.

A week ago, I met John Wilson. I was told to meet him at the information booth in the lobby. That is where I went. As I stood in there waiting, I noticed two men standing outside on the front steps. Eventually, I found out Wilson was one of those two men.

Since it was a nice morning, we sat outside to do the interview. Here was a man who went to West Laurens High School and had heard stories of his uncle in the Navy. He joined the Navy and returned back to civilian life. When driving a truck came to an end, he came back home and went to work at the VA.

I could tell how proud he was to have served his country, but to also continue to serve his country by helping the veterans at the VA. Yes he won a national award – the Department of Veterans Affairs National Environmental Programs Service Front-line Supervisor of the Year for 2026. 

Even with that, he let it known that it was those he works with that helped him reach his goal. Something he learned while in the Navy. It’s a lesson we can all take with us.

No matter what we do, or where we work, none of us can do anything by ourselves. We need a team – or to be more specific on Veteran’s Day – we need an Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard to protect us and watch after us.

While talking with Wilson, we could not help but notice it was Election Day. Many months of campaigning had come down to one day. Candidates from all over the state had been vying for us to vote for them.

I thought of veterans like Wilson, my good friends Keith Griffin, Frank Jordan who also work at the VA, my father who served in the U.S. Air Force, my grandfather who served in the U.S. Navy and many others whose names are etched on memorials for dying in the many conflicts our country has been involved in, we may not be able to vote.

Thankfully, we have the freedom to vote. We may not like the candidates. We may not like who wins. But we had a chance to make our voices heard, something we get to do every two years (every year if you live in the city).

This Wednesday is a day to be thankful. Try to find the veterans and thank these men and women – heroes – and let them know we appreciate what they did for us.

It really is not that hard. See them and let’s say thanks. It will more than likely brighten their day and leave you with a lot better feeling than anything you can put on Facebook.