Veteran’s Day
“FOR TOO LONG, TOO MANY OF US HAVE PAID SCANT ATTENTION TO THE SACRIFICE OF A BRAVE FEW IN OUR MIDST. IT IS UNHEALTHY FOR A NATION TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THOSE WHO SECURE IT.”_______Howard Schultz, author of For Love of Country
I first want to give my personal THANK YOU to each and every veteran that fights for peace and freedom!!! I tear up and become speechless at the mere sight of any one of you!! Boo-ya!! Here in the United States of America we do our best to convey our gratitude to these men and women for giving so much of themselves for our safety on this day. In such nations as: Canada, New Zealand, Australia, England, India, Mauritius, South Africa and many in Europe, a day set aside is called Remembrance Day and was recently observed.
Our fellow blogger @ Parent Rap led me to this – 100 Ways to Honor a Veteran – if you care to view it – CLICK HERE.
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
by: Cadet Major Kelly Strong, Air Force Junior ROTC, Homestead Senior High, Homestead, FL 1988
I watched the flag pass by one day, It fluttered in the breeze. A young Marine saluted it, and then He stood at ease. I looked at him in uniform So young, so tall, so proud, With hair cut square and eyes alert, He’d stand out in any crowd. I thought how many men like him Had fallen through the years. How many died on foreign soil? How many mother’s tears? How many pilot’s planes shot down? How many died at sea? How many foxholes were soldier’s graves? No, freedom is not free. I heard the sound of Taps one night, When everything was still. I listened to the bugler play And felt a certain chill. I wondered how many times that Taps meant “Amen,” When a flag draped a coffin Of a brother or a friend. I thought of all the children, Of the mothers and the wives, Of fathers, sons and husbands With interrupted lives. I thought about a graveyard At the bottom of the sea O unmarked graves in Arlington No, freedom is not free.#######################################################################################################
MILITARY HUMOR –
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CURRENT NEWS –
The true story of WWII hero, POW, and Olympic athlete, Louis Zamperini who recently passed away 2 July 2014, has his life depicted in Laura Hillenbrand’s best seller, Unbroken, will be coming to the big screen, 25 December.
Did you know? – One of most inspiring anthems, God Bless America, sort of has a birthday – Irving Berlin wrote an earlier version in 1918, but the one we hear today was first performed on 11 November 1938, in a radio broadcast by Kate Smith. The song eventually became her theme song.
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Farewell Salutes –
Harold A. Blake Jr. – Fulton, NY; US Army, 11th Armored Div., WWII, ETO, Battle of the Bulge
Margaret Yang Kim – Oahu, HI, WAC, WWII
Gordon Lewis – Waterbury, CT; USMC, WWII, PTO, First Lt., pilot, MIA
Samuel Melish – Cincinnati, OH; USMC, WWII, PTO, Cpl, gunner, MIA
Gilford Muncy – Hyden, KY; US Army, WWII, ETO
Marcus H. Muncy – Hyden, KY; USMC, WWII, Cpl, PTO
Harry Phillips – Sunderland, UK; Merchant Marine, WWII, SS Empire Webster, Lloyds War Bravery Medal
Everett A. Smith – Broad Channel, NY; US Army, 11th A/B Div., WWII, Cpl.
George Zimmerman – Tampa, FL; US Army, WWII, PTO
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NOTE _ All the Farewell Salutes today are friend or relatives of our fellow bloggers.
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Posted on November 11, 2014, in Uncategorized and tagged family history, History, Korean War, Military, Military History, Veteran's Day, veterans, Vietnam, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 99 Comments.
Thanks for your recent comments on our blog posts. All five of my brothers served during WW 2 and thankfully all came home again. My mother later received a letter from Secretary of Defense Forrestal thanking her and the family for service to our country. And thanks to you for your honorable service. – CHRIS
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I thank you for your family’s service as well. But I do not wish to mislead you, Chris. My father, son and uncle served. My dad, Smitty, didn’t put his foot down very often, but when I told him I was going to enlist – a flat-out NO came out. So, here I am so many years later trying to help keep the memory alive of all those that DID serve. Thanks for visiting!
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Wow that poem really hits the heart…and makes the eyes water…
Bless them all, past and present, living and dead…and prayers for the wounded and broken souls who came home to less than they deserved for the sacrifices and sufferings they bravely offered…
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Oh Morguie, so well said! I truly hope you and yours had a beautiful day and will thoroughly enjoy this upcoming season!
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Thanks, Gp. You know, I was over in your neck of the woods last week…”Sunshine State?” HARDLY! Rain, rain, rain…and cold! 😛
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The weather has been something we are not quite used to lately – but frankly – after all these years of 95 degree summers, I welcome the change. Sorry you didn’t get a tan while you were here – we areusually the Sunshine State! I hope your next visit will be more pleasant, Morguie.
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I really like that first shot.
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That appears to be everyone’s favorite and I must admit – it is my also! Thanks for coming by, Allan.
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Beautiful image. Truly.
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Thank you, it hits me every time I see it. I believe it reminds me of my father, Smitty, at the very end.
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Really is so poignant. We owe so much to all those brave men, women and children. Reminded me of my Grandfather. Thanks again.
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I like the “Freedom is not free” and it is fairly very high price to pay for!
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Hence the expression ‘ultimate sacrifice,’ there is NO more to give. Thank you for visiting and reading this post.
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Reduced Vet Day activities Miami Dade. 54% foreign born now and even streets named for Americans being changed to satisfy cultural diversity.
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How sad. Is Miami becoming a different country or going to break as a new state?
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Thanks for a great Rememberance post gp, the majority of the western worlds stand united in respect of our great Hero’s, the saddest part about Rememberance day each year, is that we seem to have new monuments, and new fallen, to Remember each year.
War is the eternal curse on mankind.
Ian
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You are so right, Ian. I cringe every time I hear of even one more soldier leaving anymore – it is all so endless. But, as long as power and money are in the mix – politicians will continue to find a reason.
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A beautiful tribute post, GP! My gratitude knows no bounds to the wonderful men and women who have and do sacrifice so much for our freedoms. Thank you for posting this!
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I feel the same about the troops and so, I always feel I’m doing enough to show it. Your encouragement helps a lot, thanks, Linda.
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Thanks to all of you ❤ – and you especially GPCox!
Deeply touched, Dina
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Dina, that really does mean a lot to me. Thank you very much, GP
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What a beautiful idea for the farewell salute.
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What is really beautiful is the fact I didn’t think of it. I just started receiving requests to have their friend or relative put in. I really am privileged to have such a great bunch of friends!! I think many of us have become close .
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Oh that is lovely; really lovely.
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You’ve posted an exquisite Veteran’s Day blog, G.P. Each time I visit it’s another terrific experience. Thank you for including my best friend’s father-in-law.
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No need to thank me, Sheri. Every veteran deserves to be remembered – it is I who thank you for sending his name to me!
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Brilliant post
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Thank you, Mr. Smith.
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Thank You for this, the poem, and the link to 100 Ways to Honor a Vet.
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My pleasure!!!
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I enjoy your blog. Today, I happened to notice that the wives of several friends posted Facebook pictures of themselves with their husbands in uniform. A combat Viet Nam veteran when service was not often honored, I appreciate the thanks I saw in so many places today. But I also thank my wife and all the other wives who waited at home wondering each day if their husband was OK. They don’t get the recognition but in their own way they are vets too.
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Very true, but we did recently have a Gold Star Mothers post and November IS Military Family Month, so they do get some recognition. I too was a family member, so I definitely understand.
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The greatest of respect to all veterans wherever they are. We should NEVER forget their sacrifice.
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I’m with you on that one!!!
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I was so trouched by the Poem, “Freedom is not Free”. The depth of truly understanding and conveying those heartfelt into “every day” words is so beautiful.
I loved this entire post, and the “humor” part.
God’s continued Blessings for all of our Military, both past and present.
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Thank you very much, Carol, for your thoughtful words. I am thrilled with the response to honoring our veterans, it gives me hope for the up-coming generation.
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Do you know who created the picture at the top (the old man with the young warrior shadow)? I teach Photoshop to 8th graders, teach how to create shadows, and always use a project with an alter-ego. This is perfect, but I want to give proper credit.
Any ideas? Thanks, GP.
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I’ll try to investigate it for you, Jacqui.
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I want to thank all my fellow veterans, past and present, living and dead, for their service to our country. I am proud to be a part of such a great group. And thank you, GP, for the honor you give to our veterans through your great blog. Lest we forget.
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I hope you’ve had a magnificent day, Don, and I greatly appreciate all you did. My work here is a drop in the bucket.
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It is a terrible world that needs soldiers. But it would be so much worse without them. They are a treasure and we spend them too easily.
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So true. I cringe whenever I watch the news and see more going over. Thank you for sharing.
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I agree that we should honor them year-round but especially today. I love Kate Smith signing God Bless America and it should be the standard theme. Great post, Everett!
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I completely agree, Kathy!! Ms. Smith did an outstanding job and that should be the ONLY version!
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Glad that we agree, Everett. From what I have heard she sang it but was also in a lot of pain since her legs would only permit her to stand short periods at a time.
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I did not know that, she put a lot of feeling into that song every time I heard her sing it.
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She sure does and love how she sings it. There is 1 other version that I like and that is with Martina McBride. There is a video with the planes flying overhead. She also puts a lot of feeling into it. Saw it on You Tube.
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She does have a great voice, I can see why you picked her.
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Thank you for posting this tribute to all who served. I have tears in my eyes seeing my father and uncle listed together here. May none be forgotten.
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You are very welcome, Lavinia, it was my pleasure. I am hoping to use the letter from Ernie Pyle at a later date. Thank you.
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Yes, please do! Looking forward to that post!
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It will be a while, but it is in my file.
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Yes, thanks to all who served.
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And, thank you, Andrew, for coming by to help us show our appreciation!
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That first photo brought me to my knees. We civilians are definitely too far removed from military families and experiences. I think there would be many benefits to our nation ofre-instituting a draft requiring military or civilian service.
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I do believe you are right, Sammy. It might help some to grow up.
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Thanks to all the veterans who served to protect us all
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Amen!! Thank you for supporting the troops.
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Great post…great pix. I cried reading this. Woof!
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Maggie, that shows me that you care as much as I do!! Thank you for visiting today.
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(tail wags) It’s always a pleasure. “America: Love It or Leave It” – Woof!
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That is MY sentiment!!
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Thanks for a fine salute to those who have served.
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It is the least I can do, Swabby!! I’m very glad you liked it.
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Reblogged this on Crash Course.
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Thank you for the reblog! I know you share in supporting and showing your appreciation as I do.
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I do! Thanks GP and very welcome!
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Thank you for the post, Everett! You’re so right, “… it’s just NOT enough”
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What could possibly be done to thank them? I don’t think anyone knows for sure. Thank you for your support.
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Thank you GPCox for keeping the spirit alive. I always enjoy reading what you post.
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Thank you for coming by to show the troops your support, Doc. I do my best.
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Great post! I loved every part, especially the shadow of a soldier in the top image!
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That one gets me every time!! It makes me happy that you picked that one out too, Mrs P.
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Reblogged this on A Conservative Christian Man.
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I appreciate you helping to show the troops support, Paul.
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We should always honor them, but especially today. And, Kate Smith singing God Bless America should just be the standard version.
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I so happy to hear someone say that, Dan!! Thank you. I believe an anthem is NOT a song to be adjusted to one’s “style.”
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I absolutely agree, but I do wish our British anthem was a little more inspiring.
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I don’t think it’s the words that matter, it’s the feeling that goes with it. What do you feel inside when you hear it, John?
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Veterans Day should be every day, not just 11/11. I’m posting the resources because it has articles with 100 and 101 ways to say ‘Thank You’ to vets. Also, if anyone has a website or blog strictly about veterans I would be honored to add them to the resources page.
Veterans Day Resources
http://parentrap.org/2014/10/21/veterans-day-resources/
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Thank you for including this. The more sharing of the gratitude the better!!
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Reblogged this on MrMilitantNegro™.
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Thank you once again, Jueseppi.
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lol
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I agree, words fall far short when describing emotions felt when thinking about the sacrifices of veterans in all wars–gratitude, reverence, solitude, come to mind.
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Thank you for understanding, Adam. Have a wonderful day yourself – and Thank You!
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Thanks–be sure to check out “The Long Road Home”–written especially for the occasion.
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A very sad day indeed but I don’t know if the young ones care so much now. Once upon a time everyone stopped what they were doing at 11am when the bugle sounded. People stopped in the street, they stopped talking and bowed their heads, tradesmen downed tools and so on. The Last Post always give me goosebumps. I hope we never forget.
I love the quote and the poem by the way.
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Thank you very much, Norma. I agree and that is the reason I included the quote. We are far too detached from the troops who keep us in the lifestyle to which we have become accustomed. Thank you for everything!
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Wonderful tribute, Pacific Paratrooper. Thank you for your service. I am teaching my grandchildren as young as they are about the brave men and women who give so much of themselves for this great nation. They must know. They must never forget.
God bless you.
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Thank you very much for your comments. Tho, I must not mislead you into believing I am the paratrooper, that was my father. I am a member of the 11th A/B Assn. and have been overseas, but none of this site is about me. I greatly appreciate your sentiment!
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Reblogged this on PUMABydesign001's Blog.
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Thank you very much for helping to spread our gratitude to the veterans today! I don’t believe we can ever pay such a debt.
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Remembrance Day is always a solemn one for me and while the ceremonies at the cenotaphs are moving it’s the ones at my granddaughter’s school that are especially poignant to me. Lest we forget.
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Oh, Carol, we must NEVER forget – we owe them way too much! Thank you for visiting!
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That’s my saddest day of the year…
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It seems no matter how much I put in the post – it’s just NOT enough. I simply can not express what I feel.
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We are truly grateful to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice so we could live peacefully. Thank you for posting this!
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Certainly my pleasure – we can’t say it often enough!!
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