As we celebrate Veterans Day...

[Desert_Seg]

...let us not forget all those who selflessly served and are serving our respective countries.

While the below link applies pretty much to the American veterans, each country has veterans of whom they can be proud and we should all be thankful for them.

I, for one, salute each and every one of them.

WMA: "The Star Spangled Banner as you've never heard it before (http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/23782/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/23782/1048/richmedia/StarSpangledBannerasyouveneverheardit4.wma)"

MP3: "The Star Spangled Banner as you've never heard it before"
(http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/23782/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/23782/1048/richmedia/National_Anthem_commentary.mp3)
Steven

(Warning: 11 1/2 minutes long)

[zzcarolyn]

This was lovely; thanks for sharing.

Thanks, too, to all who have served and still serve to guarantee our freedom.

Carolyn

[KSagal]

Yes, thank you for that link. All of us owe a debt to those who serve to protect our society from those who would destroy it.

THANK YOU to all the veterans

[SEGsby]

Quite the patriotic sound bite, Karl. But life is never simply black or white...

Personally, I do not support the predictable, casual slaughter of our fellow countrymen or our armed service people over mere oil. This is one of the main reasons why I try to use my Segway every day, so my transportation needs are met mainly from domestic sources and not from imported ones.

Interestingly enough, the original campaign to invade Iraq was originally called, "Operation Iraqi Liberation", or OIL, for short. The link to the transcribed Whitehouse press report is still here:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030324-4.html

1:00 P.M. EST

MR. FLEISCHER: Good afternoon. Let me give you a report on the President's day. The President this morning has spoken with three foreign leaders. He began with Prime Minister Blair, where the two discussed the ongoing aspects of Operation Iraqi Liberation...

The mission name was later changed, once it became clear the intent of the motive was perhaps... a bit too obvious.

Most sane people knew there never were any significant WMDs in Iraq... Iraq today, is a hellhole, thanks to us. And needless, wasteful deaths of wonderful people (on both sides) occur everyday, because no one disagreed with going to war.

SEGsby

Yes, thank you for that link. All of us owe a debt to those who serve to protect our society from those who would destroy it.

THANK YOU to all the veterans

[Desert_Seg]

SEGsby,

There are days you make brilliant posts and there are days you don't. This is the latter.

It doesn't matter what you think of the war in Iraq, you still should stand tall and thank the veterans around the world who strive to protect all of us. Your comments is in insult to all of us, whether you meant it to be or not.

Would have run to Canada rather than do what was asked of you?

Steven

[Five-Flags]

To Steven, Carolyn, and Karl -- my warmest thanks for your comments; and right back to those who also served.

I find it somewhat ironic that such vitriolic comments as SEGSby's can only be made in a country that has preserved the individual's rights above all. In some others, some of his "wonderful people" might well be breaking down his door to arrest him. I won't go on with this -- that is NOT the purpose of this thread. I can (and did) click the scales on his message to express my feelings.

I live in an area with a large military population (both active and retired), but there is a broad sense of patriotism from the general populace as well. The turn-out for the Veterans' Day parades was extremely heart-warming for an old salt like myself.

Anchor's Aweigh!!:):):)

[Desert_Seg]

...an old salt like myself.

Anchor's Aweigh!!:):):)

Ah, another Sailor on this board. It's great to see a shipmate here with me and my thanks to you again.

Steven
ISC (Ret)
Just another "old" Goat!

[pam]

Actually, I thought that Segsby separated the serviceman or woman who is doing his job quite well from the administration who is sending them off to be killed. There is a difference, and you can support the veteran without wanting them to give their lives for something that you see as wasteful and dishonest.

And although I'm quite late (because I was out of town with no internet connex), happy Veterans Day to all who have served and love their country.
Pam

[JohnM]

One last post on this thread

My daughter (YN2, USS Kidd DDG100) has recently added the following to her email signature:

"A Veteran - Whether active duty, retired, National Guard or Reserve - is someone who at one point in their life wrote a blank check made payable to "The United State of America" for an amount "up to and including my life"."- Author Unknown

[Five-Flags]

"A Veteran - Whether active duty, retired, National Guard or Reserve - is someone who at one point in their life wrote a blank check made payable to "The United State of America" for an amount "up to and including my life"."- Author Unknown

Thank you, John. I really like that one. Please pass along my thanks to your favorite yeoman (yeoperson? -- naaahhh!) :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[william collins]

I'm a former active Marine and served in Korea 1951 to 53..And I say if you don't Stand behind are troops please feel free to stand in front of them..