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November 11, 2009
For Brother Hank
This year, the celebration of Veteran's Day is overshadowed by the recent horrific shootings at Ft. Hood, Texas, and also tainted by the muddled response of our Armed Services (and their Commander-in-Chief) to it and to the disturbing revelations of the systemic breakdown that lead to it. We can only hope that the light that is being shed (and, yes, the heat generated) will result in a reform and curtailment of what seems to be the absurd institutional political correctness that endangers our society and the lives of those we have charged to protect it.
Now, let's take a moment to be thankful to those who have served our country in the Armed Forces over the years. Happy Veteran's Day, Brother Hank!
November 11, 2009 by Marty | Permalink
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Comments
Thank you Hank. For your continued service.
Mazurland salutes you.
Posted by: Chris | Nov 11, 2009 9:25:30 PM
Thanks guys!! Veteran's day got rained out this year by TS Ida, but I still took the day off from work.
We awarded our County Veteran of the Year at the Legion Hall. He's an Associate member of the Marine Corps League, and a member of the VFW, Legion, DAV, and Lincoln County Vietnam Veterans. Ronnie Pearson was a Navy Seal "RIVER RAT" in Vietnam. He's had 3 strokes, and is now having a bunch of trouble with swelling in his legs. I don't think Ronnie's gonna be around much longer. He was a unanimous vote, the MCL/Legion/VFW/DAV each gets 4 votes, and ronnie got all 16.
Then I had to drive Wanda to the Airport, she went to Portland with 4 of her sisters to welcome the 5th sister home from 9 months in Iraq---a 50 year old mother of 2 teenagers who is active duty Oregon national guard. Spent the rest of the day watching war movies and working on MCL files.
In Flander's Fields the poppies grow, between the crosses row upon row..... Or for a more modern version---"Find the cost of Freedom, buried in the ground."
Posted by: Hank | Nov 12, 2009 10:37:29 AM
A day late Hank, sorry. I hope I don't sound trite, but my wishes are sincere. Happy Veterans Day. Your service among the many makes this country what it is. I didn't HAVE to serve and I didn't. Now that I am older I can only start to appreciate what others did in my stead.
If I ever do anything as valuable for our country as you, I would be standing on your shoulders.
Thank You!
Posted by: Paul | Nov 12, 2009 7:56:29 PM
Thanks Paul---Our all-vounteer force since 1973 has given us the best military force we've ever had. That's why you should always thank a vet when you see one---he gave you the ability NOT to have to serve. Other countries---it's different.
One summer day I was driving back to the Submarine Base in New London, CT from Buffalo. I picked up a kid hitch-hiking that had a sign saying NYC just after the toll on the mainline in Williamsville. I took him to Albany. He was from the Netherlands, he had just graduated high school, and when he got back to Holland we HAD TO GO INTO THE ARMY FOR 2 YEARS---required for all males in the country.
I think for many, a couple of years of National Service after high school (not necessarily the military) would be good for the vast majority of our young citizens. Have them do something for the country before the country does any more for them. Give them an appreciation for what they have. People don't risk their lives to come here because it's a bad place. They know what they had where they were, and what we have here.
Those born here sometimes don't get it.
Posted by: Hank | Nov 13, 2009 1:00:24 PM
