Where will you be on Monday morning


Veterans’ Day is about remembering and honoring: Remembering those who went to war for us and didn’t come back. Honoring those who served to protect our freedom. Remembering the many who paid with their lives. Honoring the many who came back with injuries, nightmares, and illnesses. Remembering & honoring anyone that gave any part of their life to serve this great country.

But in the hustle & bustle of life today, we too often forget to remember, and fail to honor.

Older Americans can still recall the parades, the excitement, and the grand speeches that marked Veterans Day before the mid 1960s. But that was a different time with different generations.

The men of a proud military during the 2 World Wars died for proud principles that united the entire nation. Principles of freedom and liberty. There was no mention of an "exit strategy" in those days. Every family had someone serving. Everyone knew someone personally that was fighting for that freedom and liberty which we continue to enjoy today.

That’s all gone. Our recent wars have been political wars. The Korean War is a forgotten fight with the label of "war." removed. It was just a "dispute," a dispute that cost 35,000 American lives in 3 years. Where were the parades and celebrations when the servicemen came home from Korea. To be honest, there was little celebration then, or even later after Vietnam, or Bosnia, or now with our continued political wars in the Middle East. Even though our military continues to fight strong for us, our appreciation seems to be weakened. All the loud hoo-ha and all the patriotism of days gone by have gone by.

But possibly the worst part of what’s happened to Veterans Day is the gap that has developed between our military and the American people. Have we already forgotten 9/11. Regardless of the reasons why we are at war, or how we got ourselves involved in some of these conflicts, the military men and women are still fighting for our country, our freedom, our safety, our liberty. It doesn’t matter if you agree with our involvement, Veterans’ Day is for honoring those that fought so that you can agree or disagree.

Go to a Veterans Day parade or speech today? We’d rather go shopping. Get to work a little late in order to attend the parade? Corporate America wouldn’t hear of it. Close up shop (or the office) for just a few minutes to show respect to those who were willing to die for us? We might lose a dollar or two. Get up early on my holiday off? Interrupt my breakfast? Stand in the cold or rain? How many holidays did they get… How many breakfasts did they miss… What kind of weather did they endure?

The era of the festive parades and big Veterans Day celebrations may be over, but still, even a modest remembrance would be nice. Where will you be on Monday morning? I encourage you to remember & honor those who have served and those that are presently serving, by attending a Veterans' Day parade or Veterans' Day event.

signed,
Proud relative & friend of many veterans

Politics

Politicians.

Which one do you believe?

Don't they all exaggerate (lie) at least a little?

Who do you vote for, and why?

Do you vote against them because of a personal issue?

Or do you vote for them because of what they have accomplished or could accomplish, despite the personal issue?

Do all of the incumbents need to be replaced because a few have misused their positions &/or power?

Do you vote straight party, even though you don't necessarily agree with every candidate in that party?

Should first impressions affect your vote?

Should politicians be allowed to degrade their opponents publicly?

Do you vote for someone with comparable moral values even though you think the other candidate may be a better leader?

Does a candidate's past always represent their future?

Could they have learned from their past to form a better future?

Do we take that chance?

Do you vote for a relative or close friend, just because of that relationship?

Do you vote for a candidate just because a politician in a higher office says to?

My only definite yes answer is to this final question:

Do you vote?