For our Veterans, from One

[azskyman]

The evil forces at work in our world have a way of permeating our own souls. They make us question why. They make us want to bring our servicemen and women home...keep them close to their families and friends and hometowns.

They defy logic. How can you indiscrimitately kill in the name of religion or hate? How can you target the innocents and children? For what purpose? For what kind of God?

Stay the course my friends and comrades. Hold your heads high and look homeward and smile for the contributions you make...the sacrifice of time and effort and soul.

You are appreciated more than can be expressed. The freedoms you protect are found in everyday events.

You are admired, and I am humbled by your commitment.

[wx247]

I can't say it any better than that, but know that I as well appreciate your military service, your commitment to our country, your determination.

There are a lot of things in this world that I am good at, but I honestly am in awe of those who are willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for the betterment and protection of this country. I don't know if I would be strong enough to do what you have done.

May each and every one of you take time today to recognize our veterans and active military personnel. They deserve it!

[vbhoutex]

I can't say it any better than the two above me. To all of our military, serving and who have served:

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

YOU and THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED BEFORE YOU have made the blessed life I live possible.

[mf_dolphin]

The evil forces at work in our world have a way of permeating our own souls. They make us question why. They make us want to bring our servicemen and women home...keep them close to their families and friends and hometowns.

They defy logic. How can you indiscrimitately kill in the name of religion or hate? How can you target the innocents and children? For what purpose? For what kind of God?

Stay the course my friends and comrades. Hold your heads high and look homeward and smile for the contributions you make...the sacrifice of time and effort and soul.

You are appreciated more than can be expressed. The freedoms you protect are found in everyday events.

You are admired, and I am humbled by your commitment.

Well said! To the men and women that serve now or have served in the past I say "THANK YOU"!

[cycloneye]

Congrats to all the veterans in the US,Puerto Rico and other places for all your service you did doing sacrifices to defend the US from it's bad enemies.

[sunny]

Perfectly put skyman! To all of our vetereans - THANK YOU

[DaylilyDawn]

From this veteran to all veterans, now serving or have served, I want to thank you for your service to our country. With out it, we may not have had the great country we now live in.

[Skywatch_NC]

To ALL our servicemen and servicewomen past and present thank you VERY much for what you are/have doing/done for us in the Name of Freedom!!

Eric

[Pburgh]

I got this email this morning.
Remember...

It's the soldier, not the reporter,
Who gave us our freedom of the press.
It's the soldier, not the poet,
Who gave us our freedom of speech.
It's the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who gave us our freedom to demonstrate.

It's the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves others with respect for the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

We can never thank our service men and women enough for their committment, bravery and dedication.

[Stephanie]

I honestly am in awe of those who are willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for the betterment and protection of this country. I don't know if I would be strong enough to do what you have done.

I am as well.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN THE ARMED SERVICES, PAST AND PRESENT!!

[x-y-no]

As always on this solemn day, I bow my head in grateful prayer for all who have served our nation in defense of our freedoms.

[pojo]

This was in our E-mail box this morning...

The Veterans Day ceremony here on base was not advertized... However, one person wrote his humble feelings about the Rememberence.

This morning I had the honor of standing in formation at a Remembrance Day/Veterans Day Ceremony.

In formation were flights of active duty Navy, Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and Retired Veterans.

It was a brief event, with a short prayer, a beautiful rendition of “Taps”, a reading from the WWI era poem “The Fallen” (entire poem at the end of this email), laying of wreaths from British, Australian and US Forces, along with the National Anthems of each country.

It lasted about 15 minutes.

In 15 minutes I remembered my 4 uncles and grandfather who also served their country. I was able to remember friends and comrades, not just from the USAF, but from around the world who I had the pleasure and honor to serve with. I also remembered my loved ones, who live far from here, and the loved ones of so many forever separated.

I was able to renew the feeling of patriotism that drove me from the time I was 5, looking up at my uncle in his Dress Blues, a feeling which lead me to enlist and serve for 20 years.

We were a varied group… dedicated and loyal to our branch of service, to our country. Yet we also could reach out and join with our brethren in other branches, other lands. Petty differences, were put aside for 15 minutes, because in the end, we all strive to reach the same goal; Peace.

I have been t the Memorials in Washington DC, to the beaches of Normandy.

This was better than all of that, for it’s simplicity and honesty.

Please take a moment to remember the ones you love. Those who are in harms way, or who are waiting for loved ones to return from far away.



Aaron







For The Fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn. (This stanza read at the ceremony)
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

To all past Veterans... A Heartfelt Thank you!

[Stephanie]

Thank you Shannon and enjoy YOUR holiday!

[streetsoldier]

May I propose an old German toast...Aus gefallene Kameraden (To our fallen comrades)...and to those of us who have served, plan to enter service, or are serving at home or "in country" even as I type this.

Drink up, friends.

[senorpepr]

Wonderful words above!

To those servicemen and women before me, to come, and those who serve beside me both home and abroad.. :salute:

[Vandora]

I can't say anything better then has already said, but I want to thank those who have fought for our freedom. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

[azskyman]

Thank you all for remembering. We cannot let ourselves ever forget.

[O Town]

This is great! For or Veterans, and milatary fighting now. WE SUPPORT YOU!!

http://www.forest.ws/WeSupportU.htm

[arkess7]

Wow OTown!!! That was very touching and moving..

[DaylilyDawn]

WOW! Thanks for posting that link O Town, It brought tears to my eyes just watching the pictures flash by. Makes me appreciate my cousin's service in Vietnam and my son's service now even moe.