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Veteran’s Day not appreciated
Published Saturday, November 7, 2009
Wednesday marks a very special day in America, a day that in my belief is far too underappreciated and one that should be much more anticipated and honored than it is.
Veterans Day is more than a day off from work or school; it is and should be a celebration of the men and women who have made the opportunity to take a day off from work and school possible.
I will readily admit that I am extremely biased when it comes to Veterans Day. My emotion for the day far outweighs any journalistic effort of objectivity, but knowing the distinguished service my grandfathers and father put forth in service to their country is impossible to overcome.
In World War II and Korea, my grandfathers answered the call and served in the Army, one as a career, the other as a member of the reserves. In the late 1960s, my father saw his Coast Guard service ask him to leave the ice breakers of the Arctic for the much steamier climate and smaller river boats of Vietnam.
Each of these men, special to me in many ways, never much spoke of their service overseas, and I never much pressed the question. Their service was theirs. Their stories are theirs. And, their desire to share that with those back home was their choice to make.
Up until the acts of Sept. 11, 2001 my generation did not know war. Yes, we had lived through the weeks and months of Desert Shield and Desert Storm, but those observations were made by a high school student, not someone old enough to serve or fight.
My generation now knows war and loss first hand. Men and women we knew and grew up have gone overseas to serve and yes, some lost their lives in the service of their country.
Today, my generation knows the loss that comes with war and joins those generations of my father and my grandfathers.
But, while Veterans Day is a time to honor and remember our heroes – our veterans – it is also a time to truly celebrate and appreciate their service and for many, their sacrifice. It should also be a time to honor the families of those servicemen and women.
We should show our appreciation for their sacrifice, while their loved ones are away and join in their loss when those loved ones do not return home.
Veterans Day is more to me than just a date on a calendar. It is a day to remember and honor those that made my life, and the enduring opportunity to make my life whatever I chose it to be, possible.
The millions of veterans who have served owe nothing to this country today. They built and strengthened this country and we should ensure their service and their sacrifice are forever remembered.
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Comments
Posted by batman (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK0T4pVHP...
Posted by am (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Quite moving, batman. Wonderful.
Posted by KNRMCO (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
very emotional clip...for me...and I haven't lost someone. Sadly, Vetran's Day has been reduced to a a day off of work and a shopping holiday. I hope our "president" gives it the RESPECT it deserves! Thank you & Hats off to those that serve & have served...you are MY HEROS!
Posted by OD (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Obama calls it now A National Day of Service. 3 more years of the clueless.
Posted by am (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OD, while I agress with you as far as the clueless is concerned, I would rather see people doing good (such as helping our veterans in an offering of thanks for their service) than simply taking the day off or going shopping. Lakeland JROTC cadets will be in town taking donations for the "Flags for Veterans" program. I have already donated and I encourage others to support this meaningful project.
Posted by batman (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ana! Sorry I mean AM do school teachers get off on Veterans day?I'll be sure to give to the Lakeland JROTC. OD you are a customs agent, right do you get Veterans Day off?
Posted by am (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This year, yes we have the day "free". In the past the school system has sporatically used it as a make up day (after Hurricanes Floyd and Isabelle) or as a work/staff development day. So how will I spent it? Helping my father, (an Army veteran) with some chores around his house. I may not be old enough to remember them all, but my family has a long history of military service to this country: past and present. They are all heroes (and heroines) to me.
Posted by TetVet68 (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Remember Pearl Harbor -- Keep America Alert!
America's oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, living his 101st year is former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Ordnanceman (ACOM), later wartime commissioned Lieutenant John W. Finn, U. S. Navy (Ret.). He is also the last surviving Medal of Honor, "The Day of Infamy", Japanese Attack on the Hawaiian Islands, Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.
(Now deceased) 'Navy Centenarian Sailor', 103 year old, former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Radioman (ACRM, Combat Aircrewman), later wartime commissioned Chief Warrant Officer Julio 'Jay' Ereneta, U. S. Navy (Ret.), is a thirty year career veteran of World War One and World War Two. He first flew aircrewman in August 1922; flew rearseat Radioman/Gunner (1920s/1930s) in the tactical air squadrons of the Navy's first aircraft carriers, USS LANGLEY (CV-1) and USS LEXINGTON (CV-2).
Visit my photo album tribute to these centenarian veteran shipmates:
http://news.webshots.com/album/123286873...
http://news.webshots.com/album/141695570...
San Diego, California
Posted by OD (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bat, Iam not a customs agent, my youngest son is and in training.However I am in the maritime business as a logistics manager and a veteran of my generations war.
am: my problem is he is using a national holiday to promote his volunteering to and for the govt. and govt programs. Like his all domestic "volunteer" army which you will be paid, ie like a jobs corp.
VETTET 68 I thank you for your service and scrafices of those who were a part of that offensive and defeating the VN.
Posted by am (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OD, true - I did not look at things in that ligt. I guess it is because I try tolook at Veterans Day in its true light.
Bat...better luck with next guess...
TetVet68, I too thank you for your service. I lot a dear family member in Vietnam. I keep hoping that there will be another CVN named Lexington in the future to carry on the proud tradition of that name.
Posted by OD (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 3:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well boys and girls, you think that this might shed some light on the subject? " IN HIS OWN WORDS"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCAffMSWS...
Remember the 57 states comment, will how many secs of Islam are there?
Posted by batman (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This muslim thing is why I don't trust the president, the torah is the oldest written documents the koran was made by copying the torah and changing the names and a lot of the words to suit there needs.Our country was build on the belief of the torah and Jesus Christ being the son of god.How can a person be both muslim and christian?And more importantly where does Obamas strongest loyalties lie with being Muslim or being a American?
Posted by OD (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You think bat this explains why he,his lovely trend setting model of a wife, his kids and Boo the dog, still 10 months into his ruling of the poor, the weak <sarc> that they havent selected a church to attend YET
Posted by batman (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think this Christmas at the White House will tell alot about the Obama family. They better play their cards right, Americans are funny about their christmas white house celebrations.The very people who elected him into office could turn on him. The old blacks in the south have a real strong belief in god, maybe this is how the south will rise again.(lol) Will Obama tell them they have been praying to the wrong god.Craaazy........@#$%$
Posted by OD (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I had said that once before abt christmas and a tree. I didnt want to bring up the subject ref religion and race. You know how some react, but your right about that. He will as he has done in the past, he will play up to the race that can help him the most but the christmas thing he might get a walk on that from the black church going community. I cant remember his ever not playing up to who he is speaking upto. ie The rich white eliet crowd or a mostly white liberal crowd like in hollywood or the NE.Use his speeches that he spoke in places like San Fran, LA and NY. other than that he just sold snake oil and took the dollar donations and used the internet to talk to the average liberal on the street or street corner. I dont know if Black Thelogy belives in christmas of not. Thus he could and did claim Quannza.
Posted by batman (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU0tuah-x...
Posted by OD (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi-V_ilJu...
Lets see how this is understood by the church going folks. folks that helped build this country that was founded on Judo Christian values. This is our president folks you think he is a good christian man with core values like yours?
Posted by am (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
December 3, 2009 @5pm will be the lighting of the National Christmas Tree. Tickets will be given out via lottery so as to allow more people to have the opportunity to attend. Past years have seen the tickets being handed out early one Saturday morning to those standing in a prearranged line.
Posted by OD (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
am: The question I present is will there be one in the peoples home called the WH. will he turn on the lights to the National CHRISTmas tree or will he be on vacation or suddenly out of the country and be too busy. Guess you forgot his vacation at Martha's Vineyard that Ramadan was being celeberated by the Muslim people during that week. He hasnt FOUND a church in 10 months of being he president. Wonder why?
Posted by batman (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
am glad to hear there will be a christmas tree at the white house this year, OD I never saw that video before, Obama keeps saying he is a christian-muslim? Is this a new faith or something?Americans are becoming nervous, democrats are starting to step over to the republican side.If Obama was brought into a court and ask to tell the truth so help you god while placing his right hand on the bible, it would mean nothing to him. There is something seriously wrong here.
Posted by batman (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTW_ME3VB...
Posted by batman (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What book is his wife holding?
Posted by OD (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
no confirmed tree yet at the WH,but there is going to be the National Tree per am and she is right. I expect VP Plugs Biden to turn it on and not Obama or his family.Yep the video says lots. Christianity means nothing to this self proclaimed "country healer",. the political corrector in chief...
Posted by OD (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 5:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES TODAY 234 YEARS OF BAD A$$
I wonder if the CIC will give a "shoutout" to them?
Posted by am (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 6:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If not then let us do it for Sufolk! GO MARINES!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES!!!
Posted by OD (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 7:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
November 11, 2009
Patriot Alert: Vets and Active Military Eat Free at Applebee's
A wonderful idea from a great restaurant chain, to commemorate veterans and active-duty military this Veteran's Day: eat on us!
In recognition of your service to our country, all veterans and active duty military personnel are invited to eat free at Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar Restaurants this Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009.
All U.S. veterans and active duty military with proof of current or former military service will eat free at all Applebee's nationwide on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009.
PS
What a class act to say thank you in this way...
Posted by OD (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In honor of Veterans Day, here is a small fact that many may not know about our allies:
In the British Commonwealth, they call it "Remembrance Day". Common British, Canadian, South African, and ANZAC traditions include two minutes of silence at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (11:00 am, 11 November), as that marks the time (in the United Kingdom) when armistice became effective.
In Australia Remembrance Day is always observed on 11 November, although the day is not a public holiday. Services are held at 11am at war memorials and schools in suburbs and towns across the country, at which "Last Post" is sounded by a bugler and a one-minute silence is observed. In recent decades, however, Remembrance Day has been partly eclipsed by ANZAC Day (25 April) as the national day of war commemoration.
Posted by OD (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know that I hack off many good people who come in here. However,I just want to take a moment to thank all of the men and women who have served before me, with me,after me and at present including all of those who will do so in the future.
God Bless and keep all of you, your families and friends.
Veterans Day 11 November 2009: A salute to my childhood friend: Spec 4 Combat Medic William "Billy" Parker U.S. Army SHS class of 67.. See you again one day my friend. You are a hero....
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