Veterans Day

Today is Veteran's Day. I posted this back in 2006 and I wanted to bring it back this year; not because I am a great writer. Read the damn thing and you will know that I am anything but. However I am bringing it back simply because it was from my beginning and not that many read it. But with all the hoorahs and thank you’s, there is something I don’t see mentioned to often concerning our vets. It’s the change a veteran goes though.

These are men and women who left their homes, family and friends to serve their country. Some were drafted, some, like today’s military, volunteered, and some were sent as a condition of not going to jail.

Each had his/her own reasons for joining and some paid with their life. But the bottom line is, they served. They may not have liked it - probably hated it - but they stayed to the end. Some stayed many years and retired. But they were all changed; some profoundly.

No matter what they did or became after their service, for a while they were heroes. I read the book and saw the TV series on A Band of Brothers, the stories of a company of 101st Air Bone Rangers who dropped behind the lines in France the day before D-Day. One of the men was the sergeant – and I apologize that I don’t remember his name – who received repeated praise for his heroism and sound judgment and leadership. After the war the demons got to him and he died alone in San Francisco a drunk and made a living as a cab driver. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a cab driver. The point is, there was a time when he was strong, proud, and brave. Simply a hero.

That’s just one of millions of stories about our vets. After serving they went different ways and pursued different paths in life. They have their memories and their own stories. If you want to be fascinated and blessed, just take the time to ask them what they did in the service. Some won’t, or can’t, answer. That’s okay, too. Just be aware that they have their demons because they were serving our country. Thank them anyway.

Thanks, guys and gals. OOH RAH!

My New Header

What do you think of my new header? That is the ship on which I served, but it is not there for me. I wanted something to honor the 74 soles lost of 3 June, 1969, and to keep their memory alive. So I sent out feelers. The lovely and talented Hope, of Hope Radio (on my blog roll) took the time away from her huge task of raising four kids and doing milsupport for a number of Army and Marine personal, notable America’s 1st Sergeant (3rd Marines/3 Battalion (America’s Battalion) Marines in Iraq, at Castra Pretoria, also on my blog role.

I have never ask you guys for money or anything other than to vote for Dr. Amber’s group (she came in 3rd in the state and 126 in the nation, thanks to your efforts) but I will let you know that Hope does a huge selfless service by sending brownies, fans, crock pots, personal hygiene products and other items to help fight the heat those guys suffer from, and the majority of the expenses comes out of her own pocket. So if you have some loose cash (not likely in these stressful times, I know) and would like to help out our boys in harms way, go see her and click on her donation site. She could use the help. And don’t forget the 74 lost soles and their families. You can read about them at USSFEE.org.

Anchors Away…