Remember 2008?
The world was coming to an end.

Or at least a lot of us thought so.

Housing prices were cratering.

Foreclosures soared.

Banks were collapsing

The Great Recession brought the world economy to the brink.

The Iraq War was raging.

The Gaza War — also known as Operation Cast Lead —  was on between Israel and the Hamas.

So was the Russo-Georgian War between Russa and the republics of Abkhazia and Georgia.

There were two of among almost 100 “conflicts” — ongoing acts of war — around  the globe that year.

Most you never heard of because they weren’t on Twitter feeds.

Back in 2008, the Manteca Chamber of Commerce wanted to make sure people didn’t forget.

World War I.

World War II.

The Korean War.

The Vietnam War.

And even the Iraq War that was becoming background noise in much of the USA.

Nor do they want people to not appreciate every second between those major wars that men and women wearing United States uniforms and were dedicated to keeping America and the world safe as well as assuring  freedoms could flourish.

At the same time, they wanted people to appreciate the men and women who did their part to keep their community safe and prevent the threads that hold the fabric of civilization together from unraveling from the trifecta forces of greed, hate, and, self-centeredness.

It is why the chamber’s business directory and community resource guide for the 2008-2009 year included three people on the cover.

*Then Manteca Police Corporal Stephen Schluer.

*Navy Corpsman Christopher Braley who was injured in the Iraq War.

*Then Manteca Fire Captain David Marques.

They stood in front of the cruising mural in the 100 block of North Main Street.

Included in the background was one of the 2,400 flags that have been placed on the streets eight times annually on holidays honoring veterans, the fallen, labor, and those who dedicated and ultimately sacrificed their lives to making America better such as Martin Luther King Jr. since a year after 9-11-2001.

Embroidered on the flag and visible in the cover photo was the name of Marine Corporal Charles O. Plamer — the first from Manteca to die in the Global War on Terror.

There are 2,400 flags for a reason. It represents the 2,400 men who died on Dec. 7, 1941 — one of the darkest days in the history of the republic — during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

Last week, that original chamber magazine cover was re-created with three people.

*Manteca Police Chief Stephen Schluer.

*Army soldier Ryan Backman

*Manteca Fire Chief David Marques.

Things do change.

And they stay the same.

We move on.

Others step up.

People are gnashing their teeth over economic flux.

We fret about the affordability of housing.

There is another Gaza War.

Russia is at war with Ukraine.

And there are — or have been — just over 100 acts of war worldwide to date in 2023.

Why are we still standing?

Why have we not descended into an absolute hell pit of barbaric chaos domestically and worldwide?

It’s because of those who answer the call.

Soldiers.

Police.

Firefighters.

Today is Veterans Day.

It is a time to not just reflect on the sacrifices 41 million Americans since the birth of the grand experiment in republic democracy who have worn this nation’s uniforms.

But it is also a time to understand the staggering national debt we have in this country to those that have fallen and others who have dedicated two or more years of their lives serving in the military to keep the burning candles of American freedom flickering against the headwinds of tyranny and outright evil.

We assume our ability to travel freely, worship as we chose, to improve our economic lot and status in life, and to TikTok all we want is something that is assured by forces of nature, divine providence, or birthright.

That is far from being true.

If this were another country — North Korea and Russia come to mind— a day like today that they use to celebrate military might but not the sacrifices per se of soldiers would be mandatory that one participate.

You have the freedom  — if you chose — to ignore actively participating in the observance of Veterans Day in America

And it’s because of the men and women being honored today.

It is why a poem penned by Army veteran Charles M. Province is worth keeping in mind today and every day:

It is the Soldier, not the minister

Who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the Soldier, not the reporter

Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet

Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer

Who has given us freedom to protest.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer

Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier, not the politician

Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,

Who serves beneath the flag,

And whose coffin is draped by the flag,

Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

To contact Dennis WyatT, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com