We honor veterans today

[coadie]

Courage

Bravery doesn't mean you aren't scared, it means you go anyway.

[scotty]

[rgcraig]

Read this and liked it:

A veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check
payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and
including, their life. That is beyond honor, and there are way too many
people in this country who no longer remember that.

Thanks to all those that have fought for our freedom!

[Rose]

We are very proud of our son: Served 8 years in Air Force & currently serving in AF Reserves... total 20 yrs and counting... just released from active duty on Monday. Served in Dessert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

[rgcraig]

I like this too:

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 the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag.

- Father Dennis Edward O'Brian, USMC

[sandie]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I like this too:

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 the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag.

- Father Dennis Edward O'Brian, USMC

My very favorite!

[sandie]

God bless all the veterans on AFF and elsewhere.

I've been known to chase down a person in uniform to thank them for their service to our country.

So, to every veteran here, THANK YOU for your service to our country.

[sandie]

I just remembered this one:

If you can read, thank a teacher, if you can read in english, thank a soldier.

[Sam]

Thursday November 11 is Veterans Day.
It's a day to honor those who have served and also those who are serving in the Military.

World War I -- known at the time as “The Great War” -- officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

After World War II and the Korean Conflict, by an act of the 83rd Congress, (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Veterans Day is not just a day off work for some, or a day when banks are closed and mail is not delivered, but it is a time to think of all, both living and dead, who have served their country.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 42 million American men and women have served during wartime.

Nearly 1.2 million died while serving. Nearly 1.5 million were wounded.

Since 9/11, more than 5,200 have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly 36,000 have been wounded -- many have debilitating injuries that have changed their lives forever.

We may debate the rightness or wrongness of various engagements, but we know that freedom comes at a steep price -- and we honor those who have secured it for us.

My Dad, Harold Ellis, served in World War 2. So did my father-in-law Neal Crider.

My brother, George, joined the Military after he graduated from High School back in 1957.

My grand daughter Rachel and her husband David are currently serving in the United States Air Force.

Attached are pictures of them (plus a picture of my Mom and of me being held by my Dad)

[Flutecrafter]

thanks guys...
and thanks to my brothers and sisters in arms.


mark