Written by Justin Governale, Saturday 12th Nov 2011
Veterans Day

Veterans day as a kid to be honest didn’t hit me because it was “just another day off.” I honestly didn’t understand it or what it meant. I went to the Marine Corps Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery when I was in 8th grade on a school trip but it was just a chance to be out of the state without my parents for the first time. I don’t even have any pictures because although my mom payed for the trip, I did not care for pictures because of my ignorance…

I went back after I had already served in 2009 with my brother Corey that was in my platoon. I looked around and saw the same little kid at the Memorial and at the Cemetary. He was still chasing girls in his class and joking around and to be honest I wanted to shake him as hard as I could and tell them to be respectful because I have friends buried at that cemetary. The Marine Corps Memorial was built and dedicated to the Men and Women who served in the Marines and made the ultimate sacrifice and these kids were just running around being loud. It then hit me that I should not be mad because in that group is one of America’s future veterans. He just doesn’t understand what it means yet but when he is old enough, he will step up and become a man as those did for centries before him. My buddy Corey and I were so quiet when we went to pay our respects to even those we had never even met…the backbone of the United States was all around us and he whispered to me that he needed to find somewhere to spit his gum but would not even joke about spitting on the ground that we walked on. It’s all about perspective I now realize. It is not just another day off, it is a day to know that many before me have given their all in a fight. On the same note there are those with the experiences that no matter how much time passes, the memories both good and bad are still alive in their minds. All political views aside, these men all signed up for the military and some never got the chance to get out. I want to thank those before me, those I served with, and those of the present. Veterans day is to honor those veterans who are still with us but every veteran alive is only thinking about those who did not make it back.

Me and Brother Corey in 2009

It’s all about perspective but to show you all a little more of it I am going to copy and paste something that a buddy of mine wrote on my Battalions Facebook page: “I think about my time served and my brothers from 3/1 every second of every day..I really don’t need veterans day to remind me ..so what is veterans day to me? veterans day is 24-7 365 days a fuckin year..here’s to my brothers..thanks for everything

Some of my buddies from 3/1 come out in this video paying their respects to Brother Larry D. Harris. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions that day and he is one of the millions of heroes this country has. Rest in peace and Semper Fi!

Click the link below to watch on Youtube:
Hurt/Marines/Afghanistan

All gave some, some gave all…Happy Veterans Day Brothers and thank you!!!