Note: To our International friends. In the U.S. today November 11th we honor the service of all the Veterans who sacrificed to serve our country.

Yes it's Veterans Day. Thanks to all of you out there who served our country. Your service is much appreciated!

My father and two Uncle's served in WW2 ("The Big One" as Archie Bunker used to say). My Grandfather served in WW1 and his Grandfather and my Great- Great Grandfater Homer Benson was in the 1st Vermont Calvary in the Civil War and fought at Gettysburg, was captured and was held at Libby Prison in Richmond, VA for 3 months until they did a prisoner exchange and he was released. My other G-G Grandfather got here with his 15 YO son from Ireland in 1858 and when the war broke out he joined a regiment in Springfield, MA. He was sent to Tennessee and the last letter his son received said he was ill and for him (the son) to go to Chicago and he would meet him there. His son went to Chicago but never heard from his father again and found his grave years later in a cemetery in Memphis, TN.

All of those men are gone now but what they did lives on. Today is the day we set aside to observe and honor all our veterans.
Thank You so much.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/Bear_on_a_bicycle/smilies/usa.gif

Thank all of you that serve our country or have served, thank you for our feedom.

Yes, many thanks! My son served in Iraq and may be headed to Afganistan soon.

As a Marine serving in southeast Asia years ago my best friend sent me this on a 3X5 card. I still have that card, torn, stained, and barley legible. On the back he asked that I not let anyone cash it for me. I still see it making the rounds now and again and it still makes me pause and give thanks to all of our nations hero's.

DEFINITION OF A VETERAN
A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."
Author Unknown

A man must be sacrificed now and again To provide for the next generation of men. A.L. ............. Many people don't support the war today , but you can't question the sacrifice the soldiers endure . The strain on family life , being gone 6 months at a time , maybe never coming home , missing births and birthdays . Who I thank daily ---My grandfather who was a Lieutenant Colonel and was Commanding Officer of a military base back east .......he trained pilots for combat , and drank like a true Irish-Canadian . Also one of my closest friends Sergeant J.C. returned home to retire via Bosnia , Serbia , Afganistan , a dedicated father of 3 . Also my best friends brother a Warrant Officer with an impeccable service record , went back to A-Stan to train soldiers even though he had the right to stay home as he was recently retired . All heroes of mine , and to the countless others who provide a way of life for me and my family --------------------Thank -You . *** " If you don't stand behind our soldiers , please feel free to stand in front of them "

Link to slideshow http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh237/jafkaf81/Remember/?action=view&current=f0b69fa6.pbw

My Gradatude to all the Veterans, Salute and Thanks for my countries freedoms thus far. I will not take it for granted. Thanks for linking to photo bucket. Pictures are so powerful.