Today is Veteran's Day and interestingly the date is 11-11-11. A date composed entirely of "ones." Which seems particularly appropriate since it's only about 1% of our population who serve in the military, guaranteeing the freedoms of the 99% who exist comfortably, noisily, and too-often ungratefully on the sidelines.
We stand in the debt of these rare heroes - not just today, but every day. And we should thank them every chance we get...because they gave us every chance, and every choice, we get.
Currently, we see our city streets and city parks littered with inarticulate and over-privileged people who know nothing of the hardships of war, yet demand domestic war and class warfare - notions which are actually being fomented and encouraged by Barack Hussein Obama and the Left.
Moreover, disingenuous politicians have passed their budget-balancing responsibilities to a "supercommittee" which seems increasingly likely to do nothing...forcing a half-trillion dollars in cuts to the military's budget and unavoidable reductions in benefits to veterans and their families. Once again, they're the first to be put in harm's way.
Hopefully, things will be changing for the better after the next election. But for today, let's put all politics aside and take time to honor those who have lived and died in service of our nation.
Make time to say "thank you" to the 1%.
Please follow this link to a moving collection of Veteran's Day images.
Hope n' Change Cartoons encourages donations to Operation Gratitude.
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30 comments:
Yes, thanks all the vets, and current service men and women, and the families who's loved ones never made it back.
Thanks, and god bless.
I, for one, was proud and grateful to have done my very small part in service to the greatest nation God ever blessed. Like my brothers, my father and grandfather before me, it was the very least I could do. I honor and thank all my fellow veterans and those currently serving. Today's servicemen and women are a breed apart. If you wonder if America will survive, just look at them and take heart.
Note: Don't know how that "amp;" got in after my ampersand, but whatever.
I'd like to say thanks to my great-grandfather, who served in France in WWI, and my Dad's father, who served in both the Royal Navy (fighting the Germans) and the New Zealand Navy (fighting the Japanese).
Grandad nearly lost his life when his ship, the HMNZS Leander, was torpedoed in the Battle of Kolombangara. After the war he returned to New Zealand and eventually became a Judge. He is 89 years old and still spritely!
A heartfelt "thank you" to all of my brother and sister Veterans on this special day. May God truly bless you for your courage, patriotism, and sacrifice.
Nicely done, Stilton. Sentiments echoed, I hope, by all here. Thank you to all who serve; past, present, and future. A country that forgets her warriors is soon to be forgotten herself.
It's important to remember that today is a day to honor veterans: the living who served in the military. Memorial Day is to remember those who died in battle. To its credit, Hope 'n' Change got it right for the most part.
Great job, Stilt.....
And great job to our great military.
@Anonymous (two above)- I was aware of the distinction, but it's certainly worth making explicit. Thanks.
Actually, historically, it is Armistice Day - a day dedicated to the cause of world peace. Originally proclaimed in 1926, it was made a national holiday in 1938 to commemorate the end of WWI and the signing of the Armistice between Germany and the allied powers. It was primarily a day to honor WWI vets, living or dead.
In 1954, it was expanded to honor veterans of all wars, living or dead; still called "Armistice Day". That same year, Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation", enjoining all veterans groups, the full citizenry, and newly appointed "Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee" to coordinate national observance of Veterans Day - again, a day to honor all veterans, living and dead. It has continued thus, except for a misguided "retiming" to facilitate enhanced travel in 1971 (due to The Uniforms Holiday Bill of 1968).
In short, Anonymous' characterization is absolutely incorrect. Veterans Day is to honor all of our veterans: past and present; living or dead. Anonymous is correct in that Memorial Day is specifically set aside to honor those veterans who are no longer with us; particularly those who perished while executing their duty under the oath they took to the United States of America.
@Emmentaler- Thanks for the additional information. I don't think any of us can go wrong with choosing to honor "all veterans, living or dead" every day.
@Stilton: Hear, hear and amen!
Yes, thank you veterans -- my family is filled with them: uncles, cousins (one back and forth to Afghanistan,) father, brothers -- Navy, Army, Air Force; even my Uncle George in the Coast Guard in the South Pacific in WWII. I can admit, I did not join the AF when my two brothers did in the late '70s -- they would have asked, I would have told, ya' know. (My family understood, though.)
And now? Well, for the past two years my "job" -- if one might call it that -- is living with and tending an 89 year old WWII vet in his own home rather than he in an institution. I have "signed up for the duration," one could say; alas, swiftly approaching.
And my two grandfathers? -- they escaped the Austrian empire as WWI was starting. Upon arriving in America they swiftly joined the Army to get on the fast track to citizenship. The emperor sent them letters demanding they return to serve back there. They said, roughly: hahaha! (We still have those letters, for history.)
But they left behind their brothers. And I still know those descendants, who suffered through the Nazis and the Communists in Prague. And which oddly, this date is the 22nd anniversary of the beginning of the "Occupy Prague" movement FOR capitalism, and against every single thing this rabble today supports.
And so I wonder about this rabble in the parks and those who support it, who are so utterly stupid I can't fathom it.
So yes, God bless our veterans, and our nation; and let's hope this is but a small downturn before we get back to the real America.
Memorial Day used to be Decoration Day and Veteran's Day used to be Armistice Day. And once upon a time, up until about the time of WWI, a "veteran" was specifically a "combat veteran". Under that definition, I would not be considered a "veteran". I am still a bit reluctant to call myself such, as I never saw any combat. Am I just too old-fashioned for my own good? Well, no, because I did use some of my VA benefits...anyway, special thanks to all the combat veterans out there!
The OWS crowd is facing bitter cold weather soon, and expressed that this would be their "Valley Forge" moment as they face the coming winter in their K-Mart tents, free food, and iphones!!
It certainly is laughable to even hear that...when I think of those men who suffered inimaginable hardship, with few provisions, in many cases no shoes or winter clothing, but stood their post as their extremities froze, and their lives ended, not by an enemies cannon, but by the forces of a savage winter...all views expressed above are greatly appreciated by all who hold freedom dearer than life as our first wave of vets did...their love of liberty passed down to even now, purchasing the freedom that makes it possible to love this country or hate it.God bless'em all. And thanks.
@Jim Hlavac- That's a family history to be proud of. My uncle and grandfather (maternal) were both Navy men, as was Mrs. Jarlsberg's brother. Her father was in the Army, fighting in jungles in WWII. Her brother-in-law is a marine (no longer active, but I no longer make the mistake of calling anyone an "ex" or "former" marine!) and cousin a former helicopter pilot in Vietnam. And a very dear friend (of my parent's age) was one of Merrill's Marauders in WWII (and if you don't know who they were, and what they suffered, please take time to look it up). Sadly, we lost him this past year. I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you to ALL of them.
Personally, I've never served in any capacity (they probably would have taken you before me Jim - Overweight, long-haired hippy-looking sonofagun with flat feet and allergy-induced migraines which required weekly injections), but now I'm trying to do at least some small patriotic penance in my older and (hopefully) wiser years now.
@JustaJeepGuy- While there is indeed a special tier of honor for combat vets, I appreciate everyone who was on the team in whatever capacity. And I'm also pretty sure that in a "feces hits the fan" scenario, no behind the lines military job would be safe from a quick field upgrade if more firepower was needed. So thank you, sir!
@Pryorguy- It's funny and embarrassing to even think of the OWS crowd proclaiming a Valley Forge moment (although apparently they were forging documents when they agreed to pay back their student loans.
And you've done a great job of summarizing the qualities of true heroes, and the astounding gifts they've given us. God bless 'em all is right.
Stilton, as you 'might' remember me from the Porch. You kicked it again. You don't have to apologize for your lack of Military Service..... Some Folks do more for our Country doing things like you do.
May God Bless all my Brother Vets! Thanks, and Semper Fi.......Wollf
@Howlsatmoon- I think I know you quite well from the porch. And thank you for your nice thoughts. I doubt I would ever have been a very credible soldier, which is part of why I feel it's a duty (and a privilege) to try to do what I can with my admittedly unusual gifts. And you're kind to say so.
By the way, before the day is out I want to give a special message of support (and hope other will too) to Sgt Bowe Bergdahl and Sgt Altaie who are POW's. They are not forgotten, and will not be forgotten, and the U.S. should be taking every possible step to affect their return as soon as possible. Until then, your public words of support and private prayers and wishes will mean a lot.
Grandfather (dad's side) signed up for Cav in WWI - Thank God it was over before he shipped out - machine guns and tanks so TOTALLY did in horseback Cav.
Other Grandpa was w/ the USPS - that was worth a deferment in WWII. His brother (Moms uncle) was a SeeBee in the south pacific, he just recently died (coupla years ago). Photo album we never knew existed surfaced - bulldozers building runways on tropical islands, bodies on the side. Grim stuff. One tough broad (no offense intended) probably New Guinea, to take a guess, wearing just a skirt, kid latched on to one side of her chest, sucking on a corn cob pipe and scowling. VERY Nat'l Geographic...
Two of Dad's bro's were old enough - one helped liberate Paris, the other was flight chief on a C-47 (DC-3) that flew "over the hump" into China. Don't *think* I had any relatives in Korea or 'Nam, but several cousins in the Navy since, and my kid brother did 4 as an SP w/ the Air Force in the 90's.
And his ex-wife is active Nat'l Guard.
God bless 'em all.
Like you, Stilt, I never served in that way, try to make it up now. Probably would have done me a world of good....
Then again, I would have lived a different life, and some parts of this one, I'm kind of fond of... ((-'pb
I heard some years back that we were losing WWII vets faster than any time other than D-Day - but that was then. Is MUCH less now, I understand - not so many of them left. Jim, see if you can get your 'charge' to talk - many of them are hesitant. Record it, if possible. If appropriate, publish it. These stories NEED to not be forgotten / lost. How much it would have meant, to sit w/ my Mom's uncle and heard the stories behind the pix in that album...
Just sayin'...
>sniff<
The American Legion (and other groups) have sponsored efforts to record WWII veterans's stories. Indeed - if you know a living WWII vet, and they're willing to talk about their experiences, a small tape record and a notebook are all you need, but a video camera is preferred. The National Court Reporters Foundation and the National Court Reporters Association have both partnered with the Library of Congress to use their expertise to produce professional quality video of the interviews. Google The Veterans History Project to find out more.
@Pete(Detroit) & Emmentaler- Great suggestions for recording these stories (which are, of course, much more than "stories" - they're history lessons of the most important kind, told in terms of human blood, sweat, and tears.)
I have too many servicemen and women in my family to recount accurately; though, I would love to. I also don't know enough about their stories, sad as that is. However, I have an undying, unrelenting, and galaxy wide appreciation and respect for those who served. Working retail, I make sure to thank each and every person I know has or is serving on a daily basis.
I've had the pleasure of talking with new recruits, too. They are the most polite, charming, well groomed, well spoken, and good people you will ever meet. It's kinda embarrassing being called 'sir' at the end of every sentence by somebody who can't be ten years my junior and definitely my superior.
Sure I was in JROTC, but I was too embarrassed by my weight to ever walk into a recruitment office. Sure I'm an Eagle Scout, but I never thought they would take somebody as undisciplined and loving of nerdy work as me.
This coming from a guy who's dad was IT in the Air Force - computers and communications. I know what my dad did. I knew where he was assigned. I also know that intercepting enemy communications, relaying allied communications, and keeping everybody properly informed is vital work. I just didn't know what I could or would contribute, even with my ASVAB scores.
Instead, I'll be diligent. I'll speak only the truth, and I won't let the Obamavilles' toxins ruin what the best, brightest, and bravest have sacrificed.
I cannot possible offer enough. God Bless our servicemen and women. They are the heroes this Great Nation desperately needs. They are leaders we can look to.
@DragonAgainstEvil- Thanks for sharing. All interesting and all good.
As you talk about recruits, it makes me think of something else which I recently read and (not surprisingly) isn't getting much traction in the mainstream media.
Specifically, if the SuperDuperCommittee fails to find the budget cuts which the president promised they would, there will be MASSIVE cuts in military spending. Which means that the pay and benefits might no longer support our all volunteer military. By extension, in these increasingly volatile times, we just might need to return to conscription (that means the draft, kids!) to put warm bodies in uniforms.
Take that a step farther, and it means that the OWS protesters who are bitching because they have no jobs will suddenly find they DO have jobs - whether they want them or not. They'll be put in life and death situations, do hard and dangerous work, and be paid less then other recent recruits - all so the Big Government they love so much can afford to keep spending money on social programs.
I don't think this would be good for the military, but it would do a world of good for the moaning little sockcookers who are currently spreading lice, tuberculosis, and STDs in our nation's city parks.
Heh! Sock Cookers - I have mental image of "wooly hiking stew"...
Fillet of sole, on a bed of laces..
So that's the Demo_rats' game plan, then: cause gridlock and then when the automatic cuts come, they'll all be military cuts which the socialists want anyway. And all they have to do is refuse to agree to any responsible cuts. Whose brilliant idea was this superduper committee again? And whose idea was it to go along with this brilliant idea? Those supposedly "evil" republicans got played once again. When will they ever learn?
Jeep - Where HAVE all the flowers gone?
-- Eat the POOR - there's more of 'em, they're better marbled, and no one will miss them anyway...
-- Soylent Green is People!
@Pete, I did hear that tune in my head when I typed that...
It seems there's too many "occupussies" too (h/t to thepeoplescube.com). Nobody would miss them, but nobody would want their disease-ridden flesh, either!
Jeep - Hush yo moufh - you KNOWS there's starving kids in China... (and coolio on the page::same check!)
Amen Bro.
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