Veteran's Day Thoughts

[Carol P.]

Let's all remember our Veteran's today and thank them for their service.     

Former Georgia Senator and Governor Zell Miller had a stirring speech about the sacrifice of soldiers: “For it has been said so truthfully that it is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who gives that protester the freedom to abuse and burn that flag.�

[annieinelkhart]

WOW! Carol P you sure did find the right Quote for this day!  I have a son serving in the Navy and I am so grateful that he IS safe, today.  He joined in 2000 and has just been assigned to the new Bush air craft carrier!  He spent time last year in Iraq, made me more grey than I have been.  My heart REALLY goes out to those Military and their families who are in Afghanistan and surrounding areas. 
THANK YOUFOR ALL YOU DO    

[Carol P.]

My father served during the Korean Conflict (as it was called).  What many call the forgotten war.

THANKS DAD!  For all you and your fellow soldiers have done, we salute you!   

[Donna]

My dad was in the Army WWll. He was in Special Service Forces, stationed in Guam. He's 82 and still driving a School bus twice a day. Love you dad. In this pic, he is 17. He and 4 others are being honored today at the Elementary School program, with special awards and a brunch.

[jeanne]

My dad was in World War II and served in Germany, Italy, France and Algeria.  He never talked much about his service.  It wasn't until he came home that my mom found out his unit had been one of the first to enter Dachau.  I marvelled that he was such a decent and kind person despite what he must have seen and experienced.  We can never thank our soldiers enough for all they do to keep us safe.

[valhalla]

Let's all remember our Veteran's today and thank them for their service.     

Former Georgia Senator and Governor Zell Miller had a stirring speech about the sacrifice of soldiers: “For it has been said so truthfully that it is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who gives that protester the freedom to abuse and burn that flag.�

I like to highlight favorite passages in books (my childhood Bible is a mess) - the above is one of the passages that I highlighted in Senator Miller's book, which is in my office.  He certainly understood both our military and the First Amendment.

Daddy was 27 when he joined WWII.  He served in Germany and since he was a Master Mechanic, he kept all of the Generals cars running.  Rich's dad was stationed on a supply ship (still Army back then) in Pearl Harbor (no he came after we were bombed at dawn).  Mother worked in the Pompton Lakes Tunnel at Dupont and had shrapnel in her hands from an "oops" - Grandpa was at Curtis Wright, Uncle Lou was Flying Tigers, shot down and POW - truely the Greatest Generation.

Today, I work with many Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers who served in the Gulf War.  Nephew Mike served in Iraq.  Thank you all!  I Love this Great Country and I am humbled that every one of you would have shed your own blood to protect the Freedom that we enjoy every day and often forget.  God Bless America and God Bless our Vets!  Amen!

[Kris G.]

My father, who turned 87 today, is an Army veteran of WWII.  My nephew has been in the Marines for 20 years, serving as a navigator on the F/A-18 , where he participated in operations in Yugoslavia, Africa, Japan and Australia. He served as Squadron Commander of the Marine AU-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron and is presently a Lieutenant Colonol working at the Pentagon. I am very proud of his service to our country as I am of all men and women who serve and I thank them for it.  Happy Veteran's Day!