Memorial Day

This is the day we remember...

But it is also a day of contemplation... as we remember that there are those who have died; there are also those that still live... 

their families

The only thing harder than BEING a solder...

is loving one.

their comrades 

still in harms way... 

think your commute is rough?

ever wish the baby would be quiet?

ever complain about short vacations?

ever think your night's sleep was rough?

ever have a hard time getting ready for work?

All these photos are courtesy of an e-mail I have received many times; and maybe you have too.

I know I have complained... most people have... 

BUT I wish to say

Thank you to the men and women who have dedicated part of their lives to ensuring that my children and I continue to have the freedoms that our parents and grandparents had.  They are quickly slipping away.

And don't forget to thank a veteran... 

or a veteran's family... 

or an active service member 

that you may meet... no matter what day of the  year it is!!

They deserve our respect and compassion...

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Also (excepts) from an e-mail (I am unsure who originally wrote it, but I wouldn't mind meeting him.):

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WW II reflections

What a difference 60 years makes..!!! 

President Bush did make a bad mistake in the war on terrorism. But the mistake was not his decision to go to war in Iraq.

Bush's mistake came in his belief that this country is the same one his father fought for in WWII. 

It is not. 

Back then, ... The country was steeled by the hardship of depression, but they still believed fervently in this country. They knew that the people had elected their leaders, so it was the people's duty to back those leaders. 

    

Therefore, when the war broke out the people came together, rallied behind, and stuck with their leaders, whether they had voted for them or not...

    

And, war was just as distasteful and the anguish just as great then as it is today. Often there were more casualties in one day in WWII than we have had in the entire Iraq war. But that did not matter. 

The people stuck with the President because it was their patriotic duty. Americans put aside their differences... and worked together to win that war. 

    

Men who were too old or medically 4F lied about their age or condition trying their best to join the military. Women doubled their work to keep things going at home. Harsh rationing ... was imposed, yet there was very little complaining. 

And imagine this: Teachers in schools actually started the day off with a Pledge of Allegiance, and with prayers for our country and our troops! 

Back then, no newspaper would have dared point out certain weak spots in our cities ... [or] would have dared complain about what we were doing to catch spies. 

    

A newspaper would have been laughed out of existence if it had complained that German or Japanese soldiers were being 'tortured' by being forced to wear women's underwear, or subjected to interrogation by a woman, or being scared by a dog or did not have air conditioning. There were a lot of things different back then.

    

No, President Bush did not make a mistake in his handling of terrorism. He made the mistake of believing that we still had the courage and fortitude of our fathers... 

It is not the same country. 

It is now a cross between Sodom and Gomorra and the land of Oz. 

We are in great danger. The terrorists are fanatic Muslims. They believe that it is okay, even their duty, to kill anyone who will not convert to Islam. 

We either win it - or lose it - and you ain't gonna like losing.   

America is not at war. 

The military is at war. 

America is at the mall. 

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