To all you Veterans..........


Thank You!!!

I spent part of Friday sending a "Happy Birthday Marine" to one of my
brother-in-laws,and asked my sister to have him a piece of cake this
evening. One of those Marine traditions that I pray will never stop.
He served in Vietnam as a tunnel-rat sometime around '66-67 while
I was still in high school. I was an MP in the 179th Military Police Battalion
in the early '70's. I lost several friends in Vietnam, and am grateful to have
known them.

I am grateful our nation has turned away from some of the attitudes that
existed during my time in service. It brings joy to me when I see service
men and women greeted on airports, and the genuine thanks and good
will expressed to them, but I remember when it wasn't so, and I'm sure
one or two of you remember as well....

Today, I pray for God's blessings on all veterans and their families, past
and future, and thank them for the selfless service they have given which
allows us all to live the lives we do. For all you here, you have my gratitude.

I read a article today on the mil-blog "Mudville Gazette" that was written
by Robert Stokley of Loganville, Ga. Robert lost his son Mike earlier this year.
His column explains better than I , "The Cost of Freedom", and serves as a
reminder to us all the debt we all owe our military, and their families. I live
not far from Loganville, and when Mike returned home for burial, traffic in
parts of the Atlanta area basically came to a halt to allow his body's transport
to proceed without delay. Huge crowds lined the highways as people came
and lined the route in his honor. An earlier column about "Mike" can be accessed
at "Mudville Gazette" that was also written by his father.

Please take a few minutes today to attend a parade, thank a veteran, and
read the two columns by Robert Stokley.

Tell your children and grandchildren what these folks do for us.

Never forget!