What veterans can't do

We live in an age of bumper sticker patriotism -- slogans like: "Enjoying freedom? Thank a veteran." And it's true our way of life would not be possible without the willingness of men and women over the decades to pick up arms and defend against threats that sought to overwhelm us.

But the most such veterans can do is create a condition for possible success. They can hold the outside threats at bay, yes. But what we do with the space they create determines whether their sacrifices are worth the effort. You cannot create a prosperous, free society by force of arms alone. If you could, Iraq would be the envy of the world after the past five years.

It takes the commitment of citizens who, paradoxically, are both committed to something larger than themselves but at the same time shoulder their own burdens rather than expecting others to do it for them, that creates a free society. A veteran can fight material foes, but cannot free people from a spirit of apathy and dependence. Each person must be their own liberator and defender in that regard.

So when you thank that veteran today, ask yourself: what are we doing with the opportunity they created? Are our choices creating a future America worthy of what it takes to defend the opportunity for those choices?