If you do nothing else today, thank a veteran for their sacrifice: WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, (the 1st Iraq War), Bosnia, Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan. Some served because of the Selective Service Act, (the Draft), many more volunteered, all for the freedom and liberty of strangers in far off lands.
American's, at times, tend to take liberty for granted. It's easy to do when you've enjoyed it for your entire life. There were times when freedom was in jeopardy after the Revolutionary War, the Nation was threatened by great Britian, the result: the War of 1812. In this century, WWI & WWII, if not for our military, the American landscape, indeed the landscape of the entire world, would be very different today, maybe even unrecognizable.
The American Military, more so the American Veteran has over our history insured and protected our way of life, although there are some that would detract from their sacrifice, they can do so because of their sacrifice.
They have given up so much, the horrors of war do not end for them when peace is won, the scars they endure, physical as well as psycological, remain with them forever. Most can assimilate into civilian life, many more will struggle with their experience for the rest of their lives. They fought and even died not because they are violent men, they did so often to protect what they valued most, 'freedom, family and country' and more often for strangers they did not know.
Black, white, Red, yellow and Brown, on the battlefield, the color of their skin meant little, their common goal and the color of their blood erased predjudices and fears and united them as the most formidable force the world has ever known.
Thank You, American Veteran, Soldier, Sailor, Flyer and Marine, Thank You!
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I had a conversation with a 94 yr old ww2 vet, he served in the Pacific, in the Army, my dad served there as well but saw no action, (in the Navy). getting this Army vet to talk about his experience is like pulling teeth, some of the tales of the battles, (guadal canal and the Phillipines), are unnerving to say the least, and yet each tale was that of heroism and sacrifice but mostly the horrors of war.
ReplyDeleteFighting the Japanese, (a pretty committed bunch), almost fanatical, was something that stuck with him for more than half a century, but like every other American, he doesn't speak of Japan today as the enemy.
I ask myself, how is that possible, he obviously hasn't forgotten, but when he talks about this time in his life he seems somewhat detached, like a history teacher relating an event.
I have never served, either in war or peace and can't imagine what military life is like, I have lost friends in Viet Nam, (that would have been the time of my service had the war gone on for another year), so I can remember how friends families dealt with that loss, We didn't do much for those vets as they returned home, in fact we almost resented them. For that I am truly sorry.
Thank you, for all you have given us.
I guess if it ain't political people don't have much to say!
ReplyDeleteI don't think there are many people around who remember the sacrifices made during wwII, coupon books, gas rationing, rubber and steel drives, women working men's jobs for the 1st time ever, welder, shipbuilders, munitions worrkers, they left there homes to do their part to assure that their loved ones fighting overseas had the supplies they needed to win.
Sacrifices were made in every walk of life, something we spoiled brats that we have become don't seem to understand.
Each year, more and more WWII vets pass. The kids in high school now were born after the first Gulf War. WWII to them might as well be the Revolutionary war. There is no one around to tell them about it like it was for us. My Family had Veterans in WWI, WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. All ancient history to today's youth.
ReplyDeleteWWII is the last war where the USA was actually attacked by another nation. Everything since is a battle of philosophies and for oil.
God Bless our Veterans.
Hate to disagree 7:42.
ReplyDeleteThough not technically a "nation," the multinational cooperative that brought down the World Trade Center, has attacked, is attacking and will continue to attack the United States.
Your argument was probably in vogue circa 1776 in London...
7:48 a little picky aren't you, technically you are a blithering idiot but that hasn't stopped you from attacking someone's point of view or experience, you must be one of those elitist morons with no patience for any other ideas but your own.
ReplyDeleteI didn't notice any thanks or acknowledment of the service of our Vets either!
7:48
ReplyDeleteI believe the other poster was correct. Once the USA put our soldiers lives in harms way to protect or defeat a philosophy, we started down a road that will never end.
Going to war over an idea or a belief is always going to be troublesome to some, me included.
Our Veterans served unconditionally. It is up to us to challenge and question our Government as to why they are involving our soldiers in conflict.
Our Veterans are heroes, each and everyone of them. They are patriots who serve our commander in chief, no questions asked.
10:26
ReplyDeleteYour entire post is incorrect, wasn't Nazism a philosophy, about 30 million people died at the hands of the Nazis or as a result of their rule.
If the appeasers in Europe would have dealt with Hitler while he philophisized, they might not have had to deal with him on the battlefield.
Similar to Iran today, And whether a nation or not, quite similar to radical Islamic Fundimentalists. Should the Taliban gain power in Afghanistan, impose their tryrany upon a weak war weary people, how long before their designs on Pakistan, Oh excuse me they are already there, in that case how long before they impose their brand of Islam, corrupt or legitimate upon neighboring peoples?
I submit to you that the road we started on may be a detour from all that is sane, but are we dealing with a sane enemy?
radical Islam has reached our shores, unsuccessful as they may have been, their 'Philosophy" is corrupting the most vulnerable among us, so you think that if we had not gone after them in Afghanistan and Iraq they would have changed their 'Philosophy".
Realistic and reasonable methods including diplomacy have been exhausted, tell the women and children of Afghanistan they are doomed to the imorality demonstrated by twisted philosophy, will it lessen the pain?
Tell the people of Lebenon that organized terrorism is the best government they can have.
Tell the Palistinians that their cause has been co-opted by a philosophy that will deny them statehood, independence and freedom all for a radical point of view. And if you can do that, you can also justify the millions upon millions of lives destroyed in Serbia, Bosnia, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Chechnya, Estonia, Albania, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Whaziristan, (oops), Saudi Arabia, Tibet, Mongolia.........Tell them why we wont fight a philosophy, and while you are at it visit the UN and complain about the civil injustices in America.
All Hail the American Veteran! Where would the world be without them?
USA...We sacrifice our service men and women to be the police of the world.
ReplyDeleteI think the of policing the world would be more reasonable if the UN was realistic rather than ideological.
ReplyDeleteCan't people just say Happy Veteran's Day and God Bless our Veterans, without the political tirades?
ReplyDeleteGod Bless our Veterans past and present. And a special prayer for Spc Bowe Bergdahl who spent his second Veteran's Day as a POW of the Taliban. 501 days of captivity and you are not forgotten.
Wouldn't that be novel!
ReplyDeleteWar is political, Veterans are involved with war. We should just shut our traps and not say anything about what made them Veterans in the first place? No thanks Comrade, I enjoy my free speech!
ReplyDeleteAnd you are entitled to your free speech, I simply asked if we could maybe recognize these brave men and women without using their sacrifices as a platform for people to use to advance their own political agenda.
ReplyDelete