What Is A Veteran?

[grizcty]

Not sure what happened to my posts late last night??
As they never posted??


Some gave all....
All gave some....

When you see a veteran simply say THANK YOU!

"If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a Nation gone under."
-- Ronald Reagan

A man WITH a gun is a CITIZEN
A man WITHOUT a gun is a SUBJECT

Take care, be safe.
God Bless.
Good night.
Chris - Alaska



What Is A Veteran?

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye. Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the leg - or perhaps another sort of inner steel: the soul's ally forged in the refinery of adversity. Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept America safe wear no badge or emblem. You can't tell a vet just by looking. What is a vet?
He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel.
He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.
She - or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in DaNang.
He is the POW who went away one person and came back another - or didn't come back AT ALL.
He is the Quantico drill instructor that has never seen combat - but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs.
He is the parade-riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.
He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.
He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep.
He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied now and aggravatingly slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.
He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being, a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs. He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known. So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say Thank You. That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.
Author Unknown

Duty, honor, country: Reflections on the highest calling...
Today is Veterans Day. It is appropriate that 11 November also commemorates the signing of the Mayflower Compact in 1620. That simple document, after all, is the taproot of a great nation; a shining beacon of liberty which owes its very existence to American veterans.
The Defense Department recently presented us with a staggering bill for our cherished freedom: Since the American Revolution, nearly 1.2-million members of our fighting forces have died while in service to our country. Not to be forgotten are the 1.4 million who were wounded during that time. The numbers, of course, offer no reckoning of the inestimable value of these Patriots' lives or the sacrifices borne by their families, but we do know that their sacrifices defended a most precious gift—a gift of liberty that we cherish to this day.
On 11 November 1921, an unknown American soldier from World War I was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, in recognition of WWI veterans and in conjunction with the cessation of hostilities at 11 a.m. on 11 November 1918—the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. This was President Warren Harding's request: "All... citizens... indulge in a period of silent thanks to God for these... valorous lives and of supplication for His Divine mercy... on our beloved country."
Inscribed on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (http://FederalistPatriot.US/news/arlington.asp) are the words, "Here lies in honored glory an American soldier known but to God." That day was known as Armistice Day until 1954, when Congress, wanting to recognize the sacrifice of veterans since WWI, proposed to name it Veterans Day. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, former Supreme Commander in WWII, signed the legislation.

To honor those Patriots of the ultimate sacrifice, an Army honor guard from the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) keeps a day-and-night vigil at Arlington. At 11 a.m. today, a combined color guard representing all military service branches will execute "Present Arms" at the tomb. The President will then lay a wreath. This will be followed by "Taps."
It is a fitting place and a focal point to honor American veterans, but as General George S. Patton, Jr., reminded us, "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." Indeed.
A Patton contemporary, General Douglas MacArthur, framed his farewell address before cadets at West Point around duty, honor, country: "Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn... Your guidepost stands out like a ten-fold beacon in the night: Duty, honor, country."
Yet long before either of these revered American generals weighed in, John Stuart Mill had penned his thoughts with prophetic brilliance: "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war, is worse. A man who has nothing which he cares more about than he does about his personal safety is a miserable creature who has no chance at being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
Better men, indeed.
Amid all the political rancor about justifications for operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, it is worth remembering the words of USMC Chaplain Dennis Edward O'Brian: "It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the 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."
Every death of an American Patriot is a tragic loss—but ever more distressing when the loss hits close to home. Last week, our editorial shop lost a friend and a Patriot hero. Major Gerald M. Bloomfield II, 38, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, was an old friend. He and Captain Michael D. Martino, 32, were killed when their AH-1W Super Cobra crashed while flying in support of security and stabilization operations near Ramadi, Iraq.
Jerry was a hard-charger. He was ever-armed with a wry look, a funny story, and an insightful word. He last spoke with his dad, by phone, about a week before the crash. In doing so, he reaffirmed, as he often did, how much he believed in what he was doing—and how much he loved his "boys," his fellow Marines. "There's hope for this country;" he told his dad. "There's real hope here." Jerry leaves behind a loving family, including his wife, and an exceptionally brave 13-year-old son who worshipped him. Semper Fi.
In the end, America stands proud and free because our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen have stood bravely in harm's way—then as now. They were, and remain, better men. For their steadfast devotion to duty, honor and country, we, the American People, offer our humble gratitude and heartfelt thanks.

Accordingly, let us set aside a moment to reflect upon and honor the sacrifice of our Patriot veterans. Today, especially, let us raise up our veterans and their families in our prayers. Please take one minute to sign an Open Letter in Support of America's Armed Forces (http://PatriotPetitions.US/USMIL).
Quote of the week...

"Today our nation pays tribute to our veterans—25 million vets... At this hour, a new generation of Americans is defending our flag and our freedom in the first war of this century. This war came to our shores on the morning of September 11, 2001...We know that they want to strike again and our nation has made a clear choice. We will confront this mortal danger to all humanity. We will not tire or rest until the War on Terror is won... [I]t is deeply irresponsible to rewrite the history of how that war began... We will never back down. We will never give in. We will never accept anything less than complete victory." —President George W. Bush


REAL HERO

I only noticed him out of the corner of my eye.
I knew he was a Marine from the cut of his uniform, with its tightly
pressed military creases. Then I heard him, speaking low with a kind of
hiss. He was not speaking to me. He was speaking to my sergeant, who was
the Non Commissioned Officer (NCO), in charge of the Military Information
Booth, at San Francisco International Airport, where I served as a Navy
WAVE, during the Vietnam War.
I heard his tortured attempt to speak. "Hep nee, peesss!" (Help me,
please!) He struggled with every word.
I was grabbing my purse to take a much needed break, but I was caught
by his struggle to make himself understood. I could hear the irritation in
the sergeant's voice, as she demanded that he "speak up!"
I paused, as he began again, "I-nee-to-change-ny-tickek!"
I understood every painful word he said. He needed to change his
ticket. What was wrong with my NCO?
"I CAN'T understand you!" she said, irritated. "Speak up!"
How rude! I thought. I turned, putting down my purse, and I looked at
him, again beginning his struggle to speak. And, no wonder. There stood a
tall, strong Marine officer, perfect in his pristine uniform, missing half
his jaw! My God, I thought! What is she thinking?!
"Excuse me, Sir. I can help you," I said. Without thinking, I shoved
my sergeant aside and maneuvered my way in front of her. I could see the
man's teeth through the wire that held his face together. I was of no
importance. I was just a lowly seaman apprentice. However, I knew what
this man needed -- someone, who cared enough to listen. I studied his
eyes. I saw the pain, and I felt his humiliation. Soul to soul, I knew
what to do. I smiled a big, welcoming smile.
"Yes, Sir! How can I help you?"
Slowly and painfully the words, tortured and slurred, escaped from his
wired mouth. I listened with all my heart, and I watched his eyes. I
prayed to God to help me understand him. And I did understand him! More
than I can express. I gave him the directions he needed, and his eyes
smiled his thanks. When he walked away, I called a friend at United
Airlines, who adopted him immediately by personally attending to his
situation.
I thanked God for this opportunity to help a real hero. However, I
also knew I was in trouble. As I looked at my sergeant, I felt anger rise
in me, at her rudeness and total lack of sensitivity. She stared at me,
and she said, "I could put you on report." Her eyes narrowed. Without
thinking, I blurted out, "and, I could put YOU on report, Sergeant, for
insubordination to an officer!"
My eyes spit fire, as I hurled the stack of report chits towards her.
"Be my guest!" I said, as I grabbed my purse. "I'll be on break."
And I left.
I went on to supper, as I knew it would be a long night. I was
troubled, however, now that my "dander" was down, at the thought of going
to Captain's Mast, for my insubordination to an NCO. I was certain it
would be very unpleasant.
As I neared the United Airlines counter, I saw him again. His luggage
was being checked, and his back was towards me. Then, as though someone
had told him where I was, he turned, and he looked at me. Our eyes met,
for an eternity. Then I smiled.
This soldier and hero, in the United States Marine Corps, pulled
himself up to his full height, and with all the military perfection in his
being, he gave me a sharp, military salute! I was thrilled! WAVES did not
salute indoors, especially when they were not wearing their cover (hat),
but I pulled myself to attention and returned that salute.
Moving on to the cafeteria, I walked a little taller, and I felt more
like a lady than I ever had before, in my whole life!
And I felt... just a little bit... like a hero.



The Prayer of a Military Wife
==============================

I held my breath as the President began to speak.
I had to sit down for suddenly I was weak.
I listened so intently, I hung on every phrase.
What he said would determine all my coming days.

When he talks of disarming, I have a personal stake
Because one of those who will fight is my own soul mate.
He's over there, I'm over here, just waiting for the news
When will the battle start? How many lives will we lose?

I know that I must be strong, I must maintain my faith
But it's so hard when he's in harms' way, working in Kuwait.
With shaking hands I bow my head and say the thousandth prayer.
"God hold my husband in your hands while he is over there.

"Bless the President and give him strength to do what he must do.
I know it's complicated so give him wisdom too.
Protect the other soldiers who are stationed so far away.
Give them courage to face the duties of the day."

"And don't forget the innocent ones who must see this war.
Just like during the Passover, keep harm away from their door.
I know that it is so selfish, but could you help me too?
I need more faith to trust in You, my fears to subdue.

"I know that You are in control, You know what is the best.
I pray for Your guidance while we go through this test.
And when the fighting is over, the battle is at an end,
May we have peace at last. In Jesus' name. Amen."

~By Barbie Howard 2003~

Today is Veteran's Day