11/11/11 - Veterans Day...

[John D.]

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.