Veterans Day ~
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Veterans Day has not always been an important day for me. I spent many years of my younger life not paying much attention to those who had put on a uniform for their country or even thinking about why they did and what they were defending. I was too busy being a child of the 60’s and 70’s. The Vietnam War was a tragic part of my growing up ~ nightly news reports of body counts and devastation in a country that was so far removed from my world. I had things to protest and be angry about.
That has changed dramatically over the years as I became much more aware of global events and that the freedoms we take so for granted here were not worldwide. Thankfully, being raised by history buffs and veterans shortened my period of stupidity quite a bit. I thought back to all the battlefields I had walked on as a child (my Dad’s idea of a vacation was visiting Forts and battlefields) as I read more about the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. I loved to listen to Dad and my brother talk about WWI and WWII and hear the stories of my Mom’s time in the Navy.
But yet, they were just stories of far away places and times long ago.
Now I am the mother of a Soldier. I know many Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen who volunteered to put on a uniform and step forward for their country.
We are at war. We again are a divided country and it breaks my heart to once again see the derision being shown our military by too many privileged and angry people living in freedom and safety in this country.
I’m a member of Rolling Thunder. (I have some making up to do to the Vietnam Vets I had turned my back on all those years ago) I became my chapter’s liaison to the local VA hospital here and spend a lot of time visiting our Veterans. Listening to their stories, I sit in awe of their sacrifice and courage. As I thank them for their service, I have heard from too many of them the words, “that’s the first time anyone has said that to me.”
There’s no way I can ever repay them for all they have done for my country but to promise I will never forget them and what they did.
And I will never, ever turn my back on them again.
Senior Army leaders Veterans’ Day message (click here to enlarge)
Pages to visit:
Great Americans is a movement to celebrate those whose lives offer a positive example to others. As the first step in the pursuit of this vision, GreatAmericans.com is dedicated to men and women in uniform who put their lives at risk to protect our nation at home and abroad. Great Americans is a celebration of their service, their sacrifice, and their example to us all.
Bugles Across America, NFP was founded in 2000 by Tom Day, when Congress passed legislation stating Veterans had a right to at least 2 uniformed military people to fold the flag and play taps on a CD player. Bugles Across America was begun to take this a step further, and in recognition of the service these Veterans provided their country, we felt that every Veteran deserved a live rendition of taps played by a live Bugler.
November 11th to November 13th RestoreOurSoldiers.com, our online community for PTSD restoration will be streaming our award winning movie about PTSD Restoration, Soldier’s Heart, for free at: www.restoreoursoldiers.com/veteransday.asp
Blackfive Veteran’s Day Pt 1 (must see video)
And don’t forget to stop in at CJ’s radio show tonite at 8 pm est!!
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~ Thank You, Mom and Dad ~
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November 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
THANK YOU to all our Vets, your daughter and my three sons as well!
November 11th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Thank you guys and may God bless you ALL!
November 11th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Yep. Thank you and God bless you all!
November 11th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Thanks Yankeemom…..Do you know the history of “Pittance of Time.” An amazing story about how one man (Canadian…lol)back in 1999 got ticked off at the disrespect.
I DO have a link to Terry Kelly and his song on my site (how’s that for self promotion?????)
On this day - Remembrance Day in Canada - and every day, may we never forget.
November 12th, 2008 at 12:42 am
Hiya Mom!
I’m the daughter of an Army man and a WAC. The niece of AirForce and Army men, the cousin of Marines, and Army. It’s always been a constant in my life, and now I’m an Army wife.
It’s good enough that you’re doing all you can now. I well remember the Vietnam protests, the nightly body count, the draft, friends coming over because their number was up. I also remember many young men dying over there, and reading their names in the high school year book.
It was a much different time. The changes that took place in the 60’s were enormous, there was a lot going on and a lot of good came out of those eras. I’m just glad you’re actively involved now. We need good people like you, from all perspectives joining together.
I was at a Veteran’s Day ceremony. The local congressman had little fans made up –red, white & Blue, and on them they said, “I’m a fan of Ed Royce!” I thought it was a bit over the top. The only name that counts today is one: soldier. It was needlessly political. But he wouldn’t know. He never served.
November 12th, 2008 at 12:43 am
*good as in –women getting to participate in the workplace a lot easier, people from different races working to get along. Also –hey, the bras got a lot more comfy and we didn’t have to wash and set our hair anymore!!
November 12th, 2008 at 7:55 am
brat ~ I did know about the video’s history. (and you can plug your sites here anytime!)
I posted it last year too. I think it’ll be a yearly tradition on this site. I’m just glad there are talented people out there to put into song and words (so much better than I ever could) what I’m feeling.
November 12th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Kanani ~ bless you and your family!
Yes, it was a different time then. I was on the protest frontlines and bought the misinformation hook, line and sinker, And yes, some good things did come out of it. Our daughters certainly have a wide open field of choices now, unlike our mother’s generation. And over the years we have let a lot of our narrow-mindedness go. Unfortunately, some of the people from that time seem to want to relive some of the nastier aspects of that time. And I see the narrow-mindedness that we fought so hard against then come back, only now from those who were in the fight then. But, alas, we are all human beings and suffer from the human condition. The pendulum swings and we have more lessons to learn. But it sure keeps things interesting, doesn’t it.
And it’s a real good thing about the setting our hair thing ~ I never was any good at that. lol
November 12th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Well, we all get older, a lot more compassionate, we take our lumps with everyone else and learn to question what we’re being told. Misinformation is everywhere. I have an aunt who believes everything on those hard-right talk shows (both on TV and radio) and a sister who buys the whole hard left agenda. Let’s just say, finger foods –sans the need for knives, at family events are a very good idea!
November 12th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
It scares me that we can’t count on the journalists or news people to just tell us the facts instead of agenda and opinion-laden diatribes. We all know that politicians lie but not to have the reporters looking for the truth leaves a big black hole.
Which makes growing up and hopefully becoming wiser, a very good thing.
I so appreciate your comments, Kanani. Hope the new adventure is going well!