yesterday at my children' school.. They do it every year and every year the kids beg me to go but I'm usually duck hunting.. Hunting sux this year so I went yesterday.. Very nice deal.. I thought it was great to see the way the kids honored the vets and the patriotism they showed.. I'm a vet from an era when the press didn't care what we were doing and it wasn't cool to tell people where you had been but sitting in a room with guys from the greatest generation I just didn't feel like my contribution stood up to theirs.. When it was over kids were handing out cards they had made to all the vets there.. I got a couple and it kinda made me feel good but the real kicker for me was to meet and shake hands with a vet that landed on Omaha beach.. That man is the real vet that should be honored.. I felt kinda small sitting in his presence..

To top it off, HBO had a special on Sect 60 at Arlington National followed by a replay of Taking Chance.. The kids and I sat for about 3 hours without saying much.. I caught my daughter crying a couple of times out the corner of my eye and saw the boy's chin quiver once or twice.. I hate to see my children cry but it made me feel like all the Memorial Day and Veteran's Day celebrations have made an impact on them and they show great respect.

Sorry for the dissertation.

People still have pride in this country. We just need more of it!

That's great Rail.

Most of the people today have no clue of what these people did to protect their freedom. Some have have become so isolated from what's going on they don't get it that our guys are over there trying to stay alive from cats trying to kill them each and every day and wondering if they'll live to see tomorrow.

I have nothing but the highest respect for those guys. They are the protectors of freedom.

For those who have not worn one of our nation's uniforms it can be hard trying to imagine what combat was like for the many generations of veterans that served this great country. But those who serve, past and present, do what they do/did so that others may live freely.

This is a quote I believe from General O'neal that I would like to share with you.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

I like to think about this quote when I put my daughter to bed at night. I am very thankful of the service men and women who are taking their turn at guarding our freedom. I know their will allways be brave people in every future generation to keep my children and their decedents free.
God Bless and Thank You to all who serve.

regardless of whether you stormed the beaches of normandy or quietly served in a time of no conflicts, anyone in any branch deserves the utmost respect and appreciation. to me, all who have made the selfless sacrifice and represented America in our armed forces are Veterans as well as Heros. each day I thank God and pray for the well being of these men and women.

Many Thanks to all who have served and God bless the one's who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Thanks. It's all that can be said.

Rail you did yourself and your kids a good deed. Hats off to you Brotha!

Don't get me wrong.. I was in the 2/75th then forced to transfer but got my choice of assignments and chose 160th TF (now 160th SOAR).. I got to go to some interesting places and do some interesting things that I'm still not sure I can talk about publicly... lol.. At that time the media didn't really care and the overall patriotism among civilians was nothing like today so we just never talked about it and that was ok.. Although I guess it gave some of us a feeling of not really accomplishing the things that D-Day vets, Korean war vets, Vietnam vets and today's active personnel did.. I've got friends that were in Kuwait in the 1st Gulf War that feel the same way.. It was over so fast and they never fired a shot... 6 months after and everyone forgot about them.. Don't get me wrong, the guys today are enduring more than we ever did and on a continual rotation.. 2 and 3 deployments and more.. Sometimes I wish I had never gotten out and actually had an offer to go back in this past summer.. Even now that I'm fat and old my 5 yrs my TIS adds to the cutoff age.. Was guaranteed previous rank (E-5), direct induction back to battalion (2/75th now that my MOS is accepted or 160th SOAR) and a $45k signing bonus.. Don't think I didn't think hard on that one.. lol.. But in the end the same 2 children I spent much of yesterday with were more important than trying to relive some past emotions..

I guess the point of my initial thread was how proud I was of my 2 children and the interest, respect and above all, patriotism they felt yesterday..

God Bless ALL Vets and the sacrifices they made..