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My Dad
I am attending an educators conference in Tennessee right now. I am sad that it is being held on this day. It began today and runs through Wednesday. I was on a crowded elevator today and asked the bellman where the parade would be. Another man asked "what parade". A woman said "Veteran's Day". The man said,"It's not Veterans Day". We all assured him it is. I was appalled and disappointed to know that so many of our highly educated Americans have no clue that it is an important holiday.
I am still very sad today, as I attend the sessions today... I am really thinking of my veterans in my family; living ones - husband- Army, 2 sister-in laws- Army & Navy, father-in-law - WWII Army, Uncle - WWII Air Force, brother - Air Force, and those no longer with us: Dad - WWII Navy, mother-in-law - Army, Grandfather - WWI Army, Uncle Marines. It makes me feel better honoring them here, where I know they will always be appreciated.
God Bless you all.
I served for 12 years in the Mass. Army National Guard.
- Douglas Blair, TX
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Tribute To All Veterans and Military Personnel
As a four year veteran (US navy 1973-1977) I sometimes feel indifferent. Never ashamed, never embarrassed to have served my country. But sometimes at odds with current events and the seemingly senseless cost to our honorable and brave men and women. Sometimes I need a forum like this, to cleanse the mind and remember the bigger picture and how fricken lucky we are to have this country and thus, I remember the higher purpose. That ALL men were created equal, and that we lucky ones should, whenever possible, help those less fortunate than ourselves so that they too may have a chance at a better than miserable lifetime. And in the process make some new friends that, God forbid, we would need their help in our future to defend the way of life we hold so dear.
This year, I'll be spending Sunday the 11th at the Palo Alto VA hospital. Just to say "thanks".
//SeaDub
- Jimmy King, GA
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Paul Tibbets
In the Army Infantry, my father was killed in WWII, in the Philippines. I joined the service in 1962, and through God's grace, I and a friend were sent to the Philippines; the remainder of our group went elsewhere overseas. In the first few months of being there, we went sightseeing to Manila. While touring the city, we were told of and taken to the WWII Memorial Cemetery located there. After providing his name, service branch, etc, within a matter of minutes I was standing at his gravesite. I had no idea that my father was buried at this cemetery; my family only knew he was killed in action on one of the islands. I cannot describe the emotions felt. But I knew then why I was sent to the Philippines. This opened and closed a lot of emotional doors for me and my family; especially my mother. As far as the eye could see, there were grave crosses/markers for our brave men and women who gave their all for our country and our freedom. There were picture walls that portrayed the major battles that had been fought; and other walls listing the names of those missing in action or those who had lost their lives but whose bodies were never found.
I feel that no matter which war(WWI, WWII, North Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan)our Veterans/military personnel have fought or are now fighting/supporting, they are heroes, one and all. Their families too are heroes, for they must remain strong and maintain emotional support for themselves and their serviceman/servicewoman wherever they are. Ask any of them if freedom is free!
In 2006, I wrote a song named "There Is No Free In Freedom" in honor of all our Veterans and military personnel. It has been placed in the Patriotic Songs section of the "America Supports You. mil" web page. The vocal artist, also a Veteran, very proudly sings the lyrics and expresses the appreciation we feel for Our Country, Our Freedom, and especially Our Vets. With Veterans Day, being honored this week (Nov 11th), I want to dedicate the song to all our Veterans/military personnel wherever you are. Please pick the following address and listen; thank you for have done or are now doing. Email to a friend if you so choose.
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/AmericaSupportsYou/america/musical.html
Jimmy
- Ruth Ann Wilson, TN
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My Soldier Prayer
From: June Griffin, American Legion Auxiliary, Daughters of the American
Revolution, Daughters of the Colonial Wars, Take Back Tennessee, American
Veterans in Domestic Defense and other Patriotic Endeavors
Mrs. June Griffin, member of many patriotic organizations, including the
American Legion Auxiliary, announced that the Office of Governor Phil
Bredesen has proclaim November 9 as PAUL TIBBETS' DAY in Tennessee.
Mrs. Griffin made the following statement:
"My heart was grieved in that the World War II Veterans have been so
misused by left-wing politics as to bear a reproach for their great
victory in that awful war. Their joy has been turned into shame by
misguided interests who often protest the salvation brought to our nation
and our veterans by the use of the Atomic Bomb. We have often witnessed
members of the Oak Ridge Peace Alliance as they read the names of the
enemies of our country. Citizens-Soldiers for the Atomic Bomb has a great
and beautiful banner which has over 400 signatures of World War II
soldiers and their descendants who have agreed to its title: THE ATOMIC
BOMB SAVED MY LIFE. Many veterans have testified that they were on their
way to the places of direct attack when the announcement came that the
Bomb ended the war. We are particularly proud in light of the great
heritage of Tennessee, like George Washington, who are "First in War,
First in Peace, First in the Hearts of our Countrymen, for their great
fighting spirit.
"Therefore when I heard that Paul Tibbets requested no funeral and no
head stone for fear of its being made a target of his detractors, I could
hardly stand it. After prayer, I called the Governor's Office and
requested this Proclamation to be made for November 9. I do thank the
Lord for the Tennessee Volunteers and our heritage."
The Proclamation, encased in a beautiful official folder with the State
seal states:
THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
By Phil Bredesen, Governor, on behalf of the people of Tennessee
By virtue of the authority vested in me, I hereby confer upon
PAUL TIBBETS
A DAY OF RECOGNITION
Given under my hand and the Seal of the State of Tennessee
in Nashville this 9th day of November, 2007.
Signed by Phil Bredesen.
In addition, Citizen-Soldiers and American Veterans in Domestic Defense
will be featured in the Armistice Day Parade which will be held in
Clinton, Tennessee, at 6 p.m.
- Robert Beitel, GA
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Veterans Day
I do hope this Veterans Day that all public remembrances of Veterans will include a salute to this Wonderful WWII Veteran that did his duty to God & Country. He died Nov.1, 2007 in Columbus, Ohio.
Honor to whom honor is due and this man is due great honor. Thank God for our Veterans who have done their duty that we might be free. Freedom isn't free.
For God & Country
Ruth Ann Wilson
- Semaj Han, NY
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Veterans day
This morning over coffee my wife asked me if I had one wish for Veteran's Day what would it be? Well I am a VietNam Army Vet who saw action in the Central highlands and have Post Traumatic Stress like many. Now that I am disable I volunteer and I am the shipping manger of a Group called 7 Generations for Native Americans for Maine and New Hampshire we assist families in need especially children in Washington County maine and Northern New Hampshire. My wish is to have enough toys and food for the children and families that are assisted by 7Generations to have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Visit 7 Generations website at 7generationsMENH.info. If it had not been for this group and the children we help I would still be reliving VietNam every day, but now by helping others I help myself.
- Mitchell , MI
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Veterans Day
I think that veterans day is important because it is a time to stop and and give acknowledgment and respect those men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line for us.
Veterans day in my opinion is very unappreciated because most peoples favorite holiday is Christmas or Halloween because they get presents or treats to get fat from. maybe if they would once in awhile think about others including the ones who died for your freedoms they would understand how important this holiday is to so many people.
- Pamela Ruddell, IN
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TO THE VETERANS
I love Veterans Day. Why?? My son is now serving his 2nd tour of duty in Iraq, with the 10th MTN Division. His uncle went to Okinawa with the Marines before him in the late 70's, and his Grandpas' both sides' meaning, dad & mom side,And, an great- uncle that was decorated for capturing enemy Nazis also.( Around 20 by himself)
So I believe in our Vets not only from a family line, but I know from experience what they go through being gone. I just want to say I am proud of my familys' background as far as serving and being Vets.
Pam Ruddell
Proud Army Mom,
Spc. Ryan Baldwin
10th Mtn Division, 2-22. D-co,
Now serving in Kirkuk, Iraq
- ALICE SANDS, OH
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What Veterans Day Means to Me
I love Veterans Day. Why?? My son is now serving his 2nd tour of duty in Iraq, with the 10th MTN Division. His uncle went to Okinawa with the Marines before him in the late 70's, and his Grandpas' both sides' meaning, dad & mom side,And, an great- uncle that was decorated for capturing enemy Nazis also.( Around 20 by himself)
So I believe in our Vets not only from a family line, but I know from experience what they go through being gone. I just want to say I am proud of my familys' background as far as serving and being Vets.
Pam Ruddell
Proud Army Mom,
Spc. Ryan Baldwin
10th Mtn Division, 2-22. D-co,
Now serving in Kirkuk, Iraq
- Sandra, TX
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veteran's day
What I think about our VETERAN'S, I love them the veteran's and I always thank them. I have alot of veteran friends, I thank them all the time and I always will. i stand tall and SALUTE
them with all my heart. I thank them for protecting our freedom and our counrty.My husband served in u.s. army and now is retired from BIG RED ONE in Kansas. I thank him all the time
and always will.I also thank the one's who losted thire life to save our's. May they rested in peace.VETERANS DAY IS SO MOMORABLE and always will be. I always wear RED WHITE AND BLUE on veterans day cause I like to show them that how much I thank them for doing what they did. TO ALL YOU VETERANS OUT THERE THANK-YOU SO MUCH FOR PROTECTING ALLOF US AND OUR FREEDOM AND COUNTRY. THANK-YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, I SALUTE EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU THE VETERAN'S IN THIS WORLD THANK-YOU.
- carolyn collins, MI
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Veterans Day Means the World to Me
when i was little my mom told me my birthday was veteran's day..a very special day. a day to honor all the soldiers who fought to keep our country free.she told me how she dropped out of school and went to the factory to work because all the men..fathers and sons had to go to fight in the war.people scrimped and stretched every resource to make that possible. i asked why people have to fight. why can't they just be good. i guess there were no answers a child could understand. what i do understand is that there are a lot of people with power who use it to enforce evil intentions. god bless the soldiers who may have been afraid to die but went anyway to protect their families rights. god bless the families that will never hug their loved one again until they get to heaven. god bless the ones who came home maimed in body and spirit just to be spit on and not taken care of. and maybe to no home at all because the people they loved enough to give their lives for left them while they were away. so many lives torn. god have mercy on us all if we can't at least care for their medical needs and give them a little respect. if you don't personally know a veteran or veteran's family member just at least say a prayer for them all. RESPECT. peace and blessings. cc
- Katrina Phillips, SC
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SUPPORT FOR VETERAN'S DAY
Veterans Day means that day where you can reflect on what you have done if you are a veteran and it is to remember those that never came home, those that came home but are not the same, and those that may never come home still. It's about thanking those that serve now and praying for the ones that are fighting now and will be fighting.
- MAJOR(R) LUTHER W. (BILL) PRICE, GA
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Thanks To All
Veterans day is a day to honor those who selflessly fight for our freedom. My husband left this past weekend and it headed to Iraq for his second tour. He loves his job because it gives him a purpose in life and a way to 'payback' all the things he did wrong in youth. He is a combat medic and he takes his job very seriously. He knows how precious life is and what is on the line every time he's in combat or at a hospital overseas. He doesn't like to be called a hero because he doesn't think he's earned it because he's not severely injured or dead. However, he will always be my hero, my husband, and the love of my life. I'm only on day two of fifteen months and it hasn't gotten easier yet, but I know that my husband is doing what makes him happy and for that I am gratefull.
God Bless all of our Military and Veterans. And for those deployed, please be safe so that you can come home to the families that Love you unconditionally.
- Harry West, CA
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In Memory
VETERANS DAY FOR ME MEANS I HAVE A DAY THAT I CAN GIVE OF MY SELF AND TIME TO SHOW HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE ME, SERVED WITH ME, AND WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE IN THE FUTURE FOR THIS GREAT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. FOR THE PAST FORTY-EIGHT YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN OBSERVING THE CEREMONIES HONORING VETERANS DAY, I CAN
ONLY HOPE THAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY COME TO GRIPS WITH WHAT THIS CEREMONY IS FOR AND WHY IT SHOULD BE HELD IN THE HIGHEST REGARD FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH, SOME GAVE ALL, AND THAT MANY CONTINUE TO GIVE THEIR ALL DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
AS A VETERAN WHO SERVED TWENTY-TWO YEARS ACTIVE DUTY AS BOTH ENLISTED
(E-7) AND OFFICER (O-4) ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE, AND THEN TWENTY-TWO YEARS TEACHING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN HIGH SCHOOL GRADES 9-12 ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE GOOD CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY THROUGH THE FIRM TEACHINGS OF GOOD LEADERSHIP, INTEGRITY, CITIZENSHIP,AND
PATRIOTISM AND WHAT THEY OWE THIS COUNTRY AS FAR AS DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITIES THEY SHARE AS AN
AMERICAN CITIZEN, I CAN SINCERELY SAY THAT THESE CEREMONIES MUST CONTINUE SO THAT WE, AND THEY, MUST NEVER FORGET THAT FREEDOM IS NOT FREE AND IT MUST BE HELD AT ALL COSTS!
I PLAN, ACQUIRE, COORDINATE, AND CONDUCT THE VETERANS DAY CEREMONY IN AUGUSTA, GEORGIA AT THE ALL WARS MONUMENT LOCATED ON FOURTH AND BROAD STREETS, EVERY YEARS AND WITHOUT LOCAL SUPPORT FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE THIS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE! SO TODAY I TAKE PRIDE IN RECOGNIZING THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH AND CONTINUE TO GIVE BACK TO THE VETERANS FOR THEY KNOW WHY WE MUST CONTINUE TO CONDUCT THESE CEREMONIES!
THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING:
FORT GORDON, GEORGIA PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND CEREMONIAL DETACHMENT FOR THE GUEST SPEAKER, COLOR GUARD, FIRING SQUAD, AND PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM.
FORT GORDON, GEOGIA 434TH US ARMY SIGNAL CORPS BAND FOR THE BUGLER WHO PLAYS TAPS.
RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE PRINTED PROGRAMS WE ENJOY, AND EACH OF THE HIGHS SCHOOLS JROTC PROGRAMS FOR THE COLOR GUARD MEMBERS AND THOSE CADETS WHO ASSIST WITH THE SETUP AND TEARDOWN OF THE AREA.
FATMANS FOREST FOR THE TENTS TO SHELTER OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILES AND FRIENDS FROM THE ELEMENTS.
AUGUSTA PORTABLES FOR THE PORT-A-LETS TO SERVE OUR GUESTS AND ATTENDEES WHILE AT THE CEREMONY.
AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL SUPPORT.
AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY RECREATION FOR THE CHAIRS TO PROVIDE FOR SEATING OF ALL THOSE IN ATTENDANCE.
AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY TREES AND LANDSCAPE FOR MAKING SURE OUR AREA IS CLEAN FOR THE CEREMONY. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, TO ALL OF THE ATTENDEES WHO COME OUT AND SHOW THIER SUPPORT.
THANKS TO EVERYONE!! HOOAH!!
MAJOR(RET) LUTHER W. (BILL) PRICE
- Robert W. Spalding, KY
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Veterans Day
I want to thank You My Comrades and Friends for Your sacrifices and acts of courage.So many won't be here today
to salute Our Flag,so I'll salute for
them. We should be proud of these Men
and Women serving around the Globe
not just on Veterans Day,but everyday.
God Bless all of You past and present.
You are My HEROES..
Harry West MSG USA Retired
VFW Post 2323 Granada Hills,Ca
- Harry West, KY
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What Veterans day Means to Me
For me, Veterans Day IS everyday. I am an U.S. Navy SeaBee (ret) with the honor of serving our country for 16 years. Additionally, my father was a combat infantryman during the Korean War. Patriotism was not just a word around our house while I was growing up. It was a way of life. My father's example taught me the value of our freedom and what he sacrificed to maintain that freedom. And he provided a huge set of boots to fill.
When I enlisted, it was my hope to serve as honorably as he did and to do my part in keeping America free.
I do not ask America to honor me but to honor my father, his fallen comrades and my fallen comrades. If America fails to do this, we will all lose what we gave so much to keep.
- Carla Bisagni, MD
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Veterans Day
Veterans Day has always meant a lot to me, and now it means even more. My father, who died in 2003, was a World War II veteran who served in the Army Air Corps, and actually named me after one of the guys he served with, who died when he crashed his plane in Germany. He always spoke fondly of his fellow veterans, and I have been blessed to meet some of them and/or some of their wives and children.
I also have been blessed and honored to be dating an Army sergeant who I met while he was at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He is now stationed in Virginia, and was just recently promoted to sergeant. He was deployed to Iraq also, but was one of the fortunate ones in that he was not wounded. Through him, I have not only learned to reach for the stars, but I have also gained a lot more respect for the military. I have also have the good fortune to meet and get to know some of the soldiers at Walter Reed, and I think that, though they have made major sacrifices, they are on this earth for a purpose. That purpose is to teach us humility and kindness to our fellow citizens, and also to make us realize the realities and horrors of war. I also am reminded of a former co-worker of mine who is currently a soldier serving in Iraq, but will be coming home next month. His homecoming is made even more special by the fact that his homecoming party is being held on November 10th, which is not only during Veterans Day, but also my birthday.
I feel honored to be sharing that day with him. I also work with a couple of other former veterans, and I am proud to be doing so. Though I don't support the war, I don't feel that we should condemn any soldier, marine, sailor, or airman for serving. It is a job, after all, and a tough one. It takes a lot of guts to serve in the military nowadays, and the veterans represent a select few of our population who are willing to make that ultimate sacrifice. Thank you to all veterans! What you do means a lot to us.
- Doc Killian, MI
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What Veterans Day Means To Me
Having spent 7 years as a US Army Medic,I wrote the song REMEMBER OUR VETERANS with a deep sense of Pride. A little story goes with the song: when I first wrote it I went over to the local VFW-Ypsilanti, Michigan and talked to the Commander. I told him what I had written and that I hadn't performed it before and would like the members to hear it. I sang it accapella-since I hadnt even figured out the music for it yet. After I finished, seeing tears in the eyes of 30-40 Veterans was the biggest Honor to date, and I will always Remember Our Veterans. I was invited back the next day for the Flag ceremony-It just so happened that I performed this on December 6th. Just thought I would pass this one on to you...Doc Killian..
- L. Kevin Turner, MO
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the distance between civilians and vetarans
I SERVED 2 TOURS OF VIETNAM AND I HAD A CHANCE TO MEET SOME OF THE GREATEST
GUYS ANYONE COULD ASK FOR. THE GUYS I
MET ALSO WENT TO SCHOOL WITH ME. THESE
GUYS WERE FROM OHIO AND GA., AND HAD A
GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR.
- Kelly Lundy, GA
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buy viagra
Watching the news this St. Patricks day 2007 I have never been more proud to have served my country (Army- 1960-1966).The reason for my joy is the fact that so many military veterans stood watch over the Vietnam Memorial in Wasington D.C.These proud military people stood watch so as to protect the memorial from being assault by the anti war protest being conducted in Washington D.C.God bless all who participated in this action and again God Bless Our Troops.
- lindifd, Outside USA
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Veterans Day
Experienced such thankfulness My wife and I spent the entire Veterans week in Branson, MO a town that rolls out the red carpet for veterans for this week! I felt greatly honored to be asked to speak at the opening ceremonies! I was also asked to be back on stage in my Marine Dress Blues for the closing ceremonies! Throughout the week we were blessed to be able to talk with many veterans; two who survived the Sunchon Tunnel Massacre in Korea and a survivor of the Bataan Death March and we also met two of the famous Tuskegee Airman from WWII. Since I had been on stage everywhere I went ;either to one of my book signing events for Lucky Enough or a show others would stop me to talk and thank me for my service. If you have never experienced such thankfulness you should go to Branson for this week long celebration.
Eddie Beesley USMC RET
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- Eddie Beesley, OK
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Think about it.
God bless AmericaI served in the Army for 5 years and made the rank of SGT. Served in the Kosavo War from 1999 to 2000. In my time seeing the poeple there living in conditions that weren't suitable for animals, I began to think about some of the things I used to complain about before my tour over there. Like standing in line too long at the store, not having enough choices at a restaurant, the air conditioner not cooling the house good enough and things like those that seemed so bad at the time. And looking back on things, I've seen that even at the worse moments of my life back home I should have been thanking God for the blessing of being raised in the finest country in the world, the USA. And knowing that men and women have sacrificed their lives and paid the ultimate price so that we could have the finer things in life. So the next time your standing in the line to by your food and you feel yourself getting impatient, take a deep breath and remember that the reason your standing there in a free market place were you can buy anthing your heart wants is because of the men and women who have fought and died for this great country we call home. Pray for the men and women who are fighting for us today. God bless America.
'
- Hendrick, Peter A., FL
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Veterans Day
If only they all could return to observe Veterans Day.I observed a Veterans Day Ceremony in my City today. This was the first time I ever had done so. But for some reason I felt that it was time for me to thank those Veterans who served before me, the ones who served with me, those who served afterwards and those brave young men and women who protect us today. Thru the ages freedom has come at a price and those who gave that great sacrifice to protect our freedom should be Honored, as well as those who served. If only the rest of America would feel the warmth and love in our heart for our fellow Veterans. If only they all could return to observe Veterans Day.
'
- Charles (Retired Army), IN
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Veterans Day
It made me proud to be a Veteran and most of all the school to honor Veterans.I have been retired from the Army since 1984. I spent a year in Viet Nam. In all those years only one person has thanked me. But this Veterans Day my Granddaughter's Grade school made up for it. They had a wonderful program for all the Veterans. We were presented a gift that each student had made for the Veterans. This school in Meigs County Ohio made up for all these years. It made me proud to be a Veteran and most of all the school to honor Veterans.
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- Thomas M. Kimes, OH
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My thoughts about Veteran's day
May God Bless America and the men and women in uniform.Us Veteran's have a lot in common, we
love our country (U.S.A.). I support all Veterans and especially the one's that are
serving in harms way today in Iraq and Afghanistan. We may not all agree that we should have troops there,
but we must support the one's that were sent there to fight for us to help defend freedom and Democracy.
May God Bless America and the men and women in uniform.
James E. McAfee, a Korean Veteran from
Arnold, MO
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- James McAfee, MO
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