Happy Veterans Day - We salute all who served our nation

For these, and many other reasons, we salute our veterans today.

IN MEMORY OF DEPARTED COMRADES

(Author Unknown)

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;

I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there; I did not die in vain as
long as my sacrifice is not forgotten.

It is the Soldier

Father Dennis Edward O'Brien

It is the Soldier,
not the reporter, who has given us freedom of press.

It is the Soldier,
not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier,
not the campus organizer, who gives us freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Soldier
who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.

“As we express our gratutude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John Fitzgerald Kennedy

A Nation's Strength

Walt Whitman

Not gold, but only man can make
A people great and strong;
Men who, for truth and honor's sake,
Stand fast and suffer long.

Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly --
They build a nation's pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY. KEEP THEM IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. KEEP THEM STRONG.

Pray for those who serve in the military today...and everyday

A friend of ours from church sent this to me this afternoon and while I usually pass on chain letters, in this case I will not. For those who served, and continue to serve today - God Bless You and God Bless America.

A Prayer chain for our military

THE FINAL INSPECTION

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

'Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

'Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'

Author Unknown~

It's the Military, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It's the Military, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It's the Military, not the politicians that ensures our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It's the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.

If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the military, please pass this on and pray for our men and women who have served and are currently serving our country and pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

Happy Veterans Day

If you are FREE today, thank a veteran for their service.

HAPPY VETERANS DAY

It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it. - Robert Edward Lee, 1807 - 1870

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. - John Fitzgerald Kennedy

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. - Elmer Davis

Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul. - Michel de Montaigne

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. - Cynthia Ozick


Lord, bid war's trumpet cease;
Fold the whole earth in peace.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes

FROM GENERAL DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER:
In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together

and last but not least,
WAR IS A RACKET
by Two-Time Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Major General Smedley D. Butler - USMC Retired
http://lexrex.com/enlightened/articles/warisaracket.htm

Too much to include all in this post but here are some of the conclusions from the the Major Generals discussion here:

We must take the profit out of war.

We must permit the youth of the land who would bear arms to decide whether or not there should be war.

We must limit our military forces to home defense purposes.

Sounds like pretty sound logic to me.
================================
About America
The Origins of Veterans Day
By Department of Veterans Affairs
Jul 20, 2006, 2:17pm

The Origins of Veterans Day

In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, became the focal point of reverence for America’s veterans.
Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as “Armistice Day.”

Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar Congressional action. If the idealistic hope had been realized that World War I was “the War to end all wars,” November 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in Europe. Sixteen and one-half million Americans took part. Four hundred seven thousand of them died in service, more than 292,000 in battle.

Armistice Day Changed To Honor All Veterans

An answer to the question of how to pay tribute to those who had served in this latest, great war came in a proposal made by Representative Edwin K. Rees of Kansas: Change Armistice Day to Veterans Day, and make it an occasion to honor those who have served America in all wars. In 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.

On Memorial Day 1958, two more unidentified American war dead were brought from overseas and interred in the plaza beside the unknown soldier of World War I. One was killed in World War II, the other in the Korean War. In 1973, a law passed providing interment of an unknown American from the Vietnam War, but none was found for several years. In 1984, an unknown serviceman from that conflict was placed alongside the others. To honor these men, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, The 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil.

A law passed in 1968 changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.

National Ceremonies Held at Arlington

The focal point for official, national ceremonies for Veterans Day continues to be the memorial amphitheater built around the Tomb of the Unknowns. At 11 a.m. on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes “Present Arms” at the tomb. The nation’s tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath. The bugler plays “taps.” The rest of the ceremony takes place in the amphitheater.

Veterans Day ceremonies at Arlington and elsewhere are coordinated by the President’s Veterans Day National Committee. Chaired by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the committee represents national veterans organizations.

Governors of states and U.S. territories appoint Veterans Day chairpersons who, in cooperation with the National Committee and the Department of Defense, arrange and promote local ceremonies.

VETERANS DAY READ FROM THE DAILY HERALD

A fallen soldier's heartfelt last words to family
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Before he left to train for a second tour of duty in Iraq, Marine Cpl.
Joseph E. Stevenson III of Downers Grove wrote a letter to his family,
in case he did not return.

Read the full story at
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=75390

A fallen soldier's heartfelt last words to family
Published: 11/11/2007 12:08 AM

Before he left to train for a second tour of duty in Iraq, Marine Cpl. Joseph E. Stevenson III of Downers Grove wrote a letter to his family, in case he did not return.

Stevenson, 20, died in his sleep on Oct. 28 at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Stevenson was buried last week with full military honors. His parents, Barbara Ann and Joseph E. Stevenson Jr., have given the media permission to reprint their son's letter over the Veterans Day weekend.

Here is Joe's letter:

I've been trying to write this letter for a long time now, but as I am getting ready to leave I need to finish it. It's my best attempt at trying to comfort you if anything happens to me. I hope it helps if anything should happen to me.

First of all, I only ask a few things of you if something should happen. I want to be buried in a National Cemetery with a full military funeral, that is the only way I want to leave this life. Next, I want you to proudly fly an American flag and a Marine Corps flag so that everyone knows the price we've paid for the great country we have. And if anyone asks you why you fly them tell them not to remember me but the price our country has paid for its freedom. I want you to do whatever you find necessary with the money I left you. Make sure Lindsey's college is paid, and Dad get the foosball table I know you've wanted. And Mom I want you to enjoy it however you please.

The most important thing I ask of you is to remember me as the great young man you raised. In past attempts to write this letter I listed some great memories I enjoyed with you. I don't think that I need to do that. Just remember the great times we've had on the patio talking of those while enjoying a beer. That to me is some of the best times we've had and when I am away from home that is what I miss the most.

If something would happen to me I am not afraid for me but only the people I love so much back home. I know that this letter can't fix that, but I hope it helps you. I would never want my passing to cause fighting among the close knit family we've made over the years. I hope it brings you closer and helps you realize just how important family is.

Don't let my passing bring out hatred for the Corps or our Country. I hope it only strengthens your support for the war and the Men and Women who fight for our freedom.

Since I've been in I grew a new appreciation for our Country and Military. I know you have done this too. I can tell by the way you support me. I don't know too many parents who show this much support. With out all of your support I don't know if I could have made it this far.

As a family you have done so much for me and I could not ask for another Mom, Dad, or Sister that has done as much as you have for me.

I hope you never have to read this letter. If you do, realize that if I had a chance to do it all over again I would change nothing. I am ready to die if I need to, but I am not ready to leave you.

If I learned one thing in my life it is how important family is. No matter what you do or where you go your family will be behind you and still love you. You have done everything you can for me and what happens to me in Iraq is up to God. But if I have to die I will be watching over the family and loved ones who have given me so much in the past. I won't be leaving you though cause I know I will see you again in heaven.

I don't know how to end this letter but all I can leave you is the motto I have lived by since my time in the Corps. Semper Fidelis. Always faithful to God, Corps, and Country. And most importantly Family. Live the rest of your life to the fullest and don't mourn my death too long. Instead remember the memories we have, and know that I will see you again some day in heaven.

Semper Fidelis

Your Loving Son

Joe