I am ashamed of myself...

I am ashamed of myself…

We all get caught up in our daily lives and that is what happened to me. I did not realize that it was Veterans Day until I was at lunch with a girlfriend. As a military brat, I am ashamed of myself for this oversight because it is because of these veterans that I have my life to get caught up in.


The brave men and women who serve our country deserve and should be remembered. I know that there has always been rivalry among the branches of military service. The Marines have always considered themselves the elite fighting unit. The Army has its Special Forces and Rangers. However, each branch of our military plays its own unique part in keeping our country free. Whether it’s the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force or Merchant Marines, each branch plays a critical role in the defense of our country.

The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day

In June of 1954 the word "Armistice” was struck out and replaced with “Veterans.”

Some figures about American casualties in wounded in conflict*:




WWI: 320,518
WWII 1,076,245
Korea: 128,650
Vietnam 211,454

*Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_casualties_of_war


Lets take a moment to remember all of the fine men and women who have served (or are serving) our country in the armed forces. Thank a veteran for their heroic service of our country and our freedom.



Goodbye Young Soldier

We said goodbye tonight
To a soldier whom I did not know
He did his duty well
But sadly he had to go

He did not travel this far
To leave behind family & friend
He came to do his duty.
He did not know it would be his end

His short life was just that
A soldier’s ultimate commitment he gave
This earth deserved him longer
He went too early to his grave

He is one of many heroes
Another poor young soldier
For he is not alone
No years left in which to grow older
What comfort lies for those he left
Never again to be by their side
A gallery of happy memories
And deservedly this Nation’s pride

So farewell young soldier
Whilst here you did just right
I hope your life was not a waste
Farewell young soldier, sleep tight.

Sgt John Norbury, Afghanistan, January 2010.



If you can make the time, the USO has a link where you can send a message of thanks now and let our troops know just how much we respect their service and appreciate their sacrifices.

http://action.uso.org/action/sem-thank-you-vday?sc=OM-gadw-p_Veterans_Day



Or you can donate to "Swords to Plowshares" to help provide psychological counseling, job training, housing services, mental health counseling- everything a veteran and their family needs to return to civilian life as a successful and productive citizen.

http://www.swords-to-plowshares.org/supportvets/support-vets/policy/iraq-veteran-project/veterans-day-2010/?gclid=CPiv_IOVnKUCFUHsKgodywuvHA



Thank you to hobbyists (and providers) who served our nation in a branch of the Armed Forces.