Absolutely, a BIG THANK YOU goes out to all the men and women who have and are defending this amazing country. You are in my heart always.

Don't forget to thank your own veterans, whatever country you are in.

They were cold, hot, scared, brave, hungry, tired...etc and still did a near impossible job.

I appreciate it, but please don't thank me, I give thanks for all the guy's and gal's that have done such a self sacrifice...remember in this country, it's still volunteer.

If someone wants to tell their story without getting political...please feel free.

I know there are a few here, because I have talked to them.


Please remember the Disabled American Veterans or your favorite veterans charity.

Very important thread.

Thank you to all that served or are serving now. And well wishes to all who have loved ones away today. Condolences to those who have lost someone in service.

Although this day is to remember the fallen ones, we can't forget the many thousands of maimed ones - and more every day; and although it is almost nothing compared to the suffering they are enduring, I second the motion to send your support to Disabled American Veterans

I appreciate in concept that we are free because of them, love them and their families for their sacrifices and offer my deep condolences and prayers.

I just can't help to say that of all the perversions in the pit, war has to be among the top ten. It gets worse all the time. It's hard to see what is accomplished other than ruining more and more lives to one degree or another. The enemy is a more and more evil adversary every day.

We can pray for peace but I can't help but feel we will never see total world peace in this life. It's just the way it is. "Evil men shall wax worse and worse".

A day or so late - but then they are dying and being maimed again today.

This is very sweet - sorry for the formatting issues - it is pasted from an email and I don't have the eyesight or time to sit and make it perfect today.







I put my carry-on in the

luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned

seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm

glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will

get a short nap,' I thought.


Just before take-off,

a line of soldiers came down the aisle and

filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding

me. I decided to start a conversation.


'Where are you

headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to

me.

'Petawawa. We'll be there for two

weeks for special training, and then we're being

deployed to Afghanistan


After flying for about an hour, an announcement was

made that sack lunches were available for five

dollars. It would be several hours before we

reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch

would help pass the time...



As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if

he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems

like a lot of money for just a sack lunch.

Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks.

I'll wait till we get to base.'



His friend agreed.



I looked around at the

other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked

to the back of the plane and handed the flight

attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a

lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my

arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with

tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in

Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for

him.'

Picking up ten

sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the

soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and

asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or

chicken?'

'Chicken,' I replied,

wondering why she asked. She turned and went to

the front of plane, returning a minute later

with a dinner plate from first class.



'This is your thanks.'



After we finished

eating, I went again to the back of the plane,

heading for the rest room.

A

man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to

be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me

twenty-five dollars.



Soon after I returned

to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down

the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he

walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but

noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my

side of the plane. When he got to my row he

stopped, smiled, held out his hand and said, 'I

want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my

seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand.

With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier

and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought

me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never

forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was

heard from all of the passengers.



Later I walked to the

front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A

man who was seated about six rows in front of me

reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He

left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.



When we landed I

gathered my belongings and started to deplane.

Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man

who stopped me, put something in my shirt

pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a

word. Another twenty-five dollars!



Upon entering the

terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their

trip to the base.

I walked over to

them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It

will take you some time to reach the

base.

It

will be about time for a sandwich.

God

Bless You.'

Ten young

men left that flight feeling the love and

respect of their fellow travelers.



As I walked briskly to

my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe

return. These soldiers were giving their all for

our country. I could only give them a couple of

meals. It seemed so little...



A veteran is someone

who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank

check made payable to 'The United States of

America ' for an amount of 'up to and

including my life.'



That is Honor, and

there are way too many people in this country

who no longer understand

it.'

@ Patrician... that's a really cool story Thanks

@Bill Now that's funny...and I'm living dangerously, as your on the East coast and I'm out here on the West....closer to Sal's clutches:p

I think the op is covertly getting us to chant a subliminal message to the "Sun God" and if enough people say it... then.... forget it, JK Dawg! Isnt that a deep thought though?

Hey "...Just sayin..." lol.

Ps. Its the "Holy" WSO.

@ Bill

I have a poster of this pic rolled up somewhere.

BTW Did you know chuck norris is so fast that he can run around the whole world and hit himself in the back of the head? Found out that out from the same flower child that sold me the JC poster at the fair.

OOooooh you think your gonna get me, with that question huh?

I've been around women long enough to know...

I mean...Yes I would be shocked beyond belief....lol

Semper Fi bro.

I was an 0331, but that seems like a lifetime ago now.

Absolutely, 100% respect to all of our military. They truly have a tough job.

The military are always appreciated by those who have an idea of what it is to be in one