November 11th

To most folks this date represents just another day; to others it represents a "whites" sale in most stores.

Sadly, few of us view this day with honor. Yup, just another day of the daily grind.

For me, this is a special day. A day I hold sacred. A day I have never worked, and as a matter of fact, refused to work. Traditionally this day is spent remembering those that helped to keep this country free.

For several years I dedicated my time speaking to elementary school children about the importance of Veteran's Day. I attend the ceremony most years at our State's capitol. But more importantly I reflect.

I spend time remembering my friends that never returned home from Viet-Nam. I spend time wondering why I did. I spend time silently thanking all those that went before me. I spend time watching the marathon of war movies starring Audey Murphy, John Wayne and the like. I spend time cussing Hollywood for making Viet-Nam a place it wasn't.

I spend time crying.

I spend time wondering why in the hell our soldiers, regardless of branch affiliation, are where they are. I spend time cussing our leaders for allowing us to be where we should have never been.

I spend time thanking God for all He has given me. And I ask Him to protect and watch over all our service members and families.

To all that may read this blog; I commend and applaud you if you share in the time I spend. To those of you that only look forward to the 'blue light special" on this day, I ask that you reconsider your time. Think of what you would have, had the men and women of our military services chose a different profession.

Think for a moment the minimal pay our services members receive, let alone the hardships. Yet we pay our ball players millions of dollars per year to entertain us a half dozen Sundays a year.

For just a minute, stop, bow your heads and say a prayer for those that vigilantly, without expectation, stand front and center, proudly, to protect our borders.

To them, and to them alone, we owe our thanks for the freedoms we experience each and every day.

God Bless America! Thank a Veteran today and every day, it's not too much to do for all they have done and continue to do!