11/11/11 - Veterans Day...
 

Thanks to all those veterans who have served our country - are serving today - and will serve tomorrow... Especially those who are PGCA Members...

And today, may we remember all who have paid the ultimate price so that we are able to continue to enjoy our many freedoms.

God Bless all Veterans, and thank you...

John D.

Thanks so much, John. The same right back at you and to all of the members from this part of the membership. Semper Fi to all those to whom it applies and happy belated birthday from yesterday. 236 years and getting stronger each day.

i too thank allfellow vets espically the fallen.... charlie cleveland

My thoughts exactly....Thank you for all you have and continue to do for this great country......:usa:

Armistice Day
 

I remember marching in Armistice Day parades as a Boy Scout when all the leaders were WW I vets - how quickly they go.

With a Salute, Austin

Forty years after the end of WW1, we had "advisors" in Viet Nam. I was released from Army service in November of 1969. That is forty two years ago this month. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. Thanks for the thought from the past, Austin.

My 91 year father fought the Japs at Guadacanal, guarded the ship transporting the atomic bomb headed for Hiroshima and grew up and went to school in the small New Jersey town of Raritan with the Medal of Honor winner John Basilone USMC. My dove hunting buddy who is 93 served aboard a mine sweeper clearing the beaches at Normandy and Sword the night before the invasion. They really were the greatest generation. Listening to their stories and what they endured is humbling. God bless them and all who served from Lexington to Kabul.

My father-in-law did WW2, Korea and Viet Nam. Retired as a CSM (E9), lived a year and died. He was a real soldier

So many thoughts.. I just read this - and thought I'd share... You see, the other day, I was honored to meet a WWII Vet. He is 92 years young. Fought in the Pacific Theater - was shot and wounded and his words to me were "I was one of the lucky guys. Most of my friends are still there".

So - when I read this - I thought of him. For me - I just shook his hand - and said "Thank You, Sir". This is what I was feeling:

It is the VETERAN,
Not the preacher,
Who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN,
Not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN,
Not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN,
Not the campus organizer,
Who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN,
Not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN,
Not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN
who Salutes the Flag.

It is the VETERAN
Who serves
Under the Flag.

We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter when or where they serve.

You betcha John. Thanks to all a day late (fell asleep in chair last night)