Remember and Thank Our Veterans on this Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day. As I write this, I'm on my way to work, to do a job
I really enjoy. I own a home, and have the freedom to speak against my
Government if I don't agree with what they are doing.

These freedoms and others didn't just happen. Our veterans fought for
freedom, many giving the ultimate sacrifice. I feel so lucky to be living
in a free country. In other parts of the world, a person like me who is
blind wouldn't be able to go out, get a job, and do many of the other things
we take for granted. They'd be hidden away, and cared for all of their
lives.

In many places around the world, speaking out against the Government can
lead to arrest, imprisonment and even death. Thank you to our Veterans,
that's not so in our country.

As I reflect on this Veterans day, I think about and thank all veterans for
their service to our country. I think about my Father's late cousin, Babe,
who served in what some call the forgotten war, the Korean war in the
1950's. I was listening to the radio just this morning and heard this war
referred to as the war that never really ended. That is so true, for
whenever North Korea wants to attract world attention or get a little more
international aid, they do something to try and provoke South Korea. There
are still thousands of troops serving along the 38th parallel, also known as
the demilitarized zone.

I think about and thank all of those veterans of the Vietnam war, including
my second cousin once removed, Roger and Darrel, a gentleman I used to work
with. These two men, and the others never got the welcome home they so
richly deserved. To paraphrase a Kenny Rogers' song, it wasn't them that
started that old crazy Asian war, but they were proud to go and do their
patriotic chore. Whatever anyone may have thought of that or any other war,
our veterans answered the call of service to our nation. How many others
would have?

I think about the men and women of the greatest generation, the World War II
veterans. Thanks to programs like the Stars and Stripes Honor Flights, and
Honor Flight Chicago, many of them are being given an opportunity to go to
Washington, DC, and visit the World War II Memorial, erected in their honor.
If it hadn't been for these brave men and women, we'd all probably be
speaking German right now.

Finally, I thank and think of the veterans of the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan. I have always supported our going into Afghanistan, but not
going into Iraq. Nevertheless, the men and women who are serving in these
theaters and who have served decided they wanted to serve our nation. They
simply followed orders and went to where they were asked to serve.

I encourage each of us to thank at least one Veteran today for his or her
service. Whether it's someone you work with, a family member, a friend or a
neighbor, take a moment and thank that person for serving, and protecting
the freedoms we all enjoy. May god bless our veterans, and may he continue
to bless the greatest country in the world, the United States of America.