Thank You, Veterans!

I know it is this coming Friday, but I'm going to "jump the gun" on Veteran's Day this year.  We went to the largest Veteran's Day parade in Milwaukee this past Saturday.  It was a beautiful, sunny, warm (for November in Wisconsin) day, and it was a great parade!  There were marching bands, many divisions of veterans, vans full of disabled veterans, many veterans on roaring Harley-Davidsons, lady veterans groups, African-American veterans groups, Hispanic veterans groups, the entire student body of St. Johns Military Academy, planes flying in formation overhead, etc., etc.  It was wonderful!  It was the perfect opportunity to shake a hand and thank veterans we saw along the street as well as those marching by for their service and for their part in giving us our freedoms we enjoy today.  It was also a perfect opportunity to teach our children--to show them first hand--to support and be thankful for our military personnel and why.  The only disappointments?...a few "occupy" guys who tried to turn our attention away from these dear veterans onto their agenda and how few people actually showed up to watch and support the parade.  One of my favorite floats had guys that were "bronzed" from head to toe and were in the same position as in the picture above.  Of course we could not get our camera out fast enough to take a good picture (it took us that long to realize they were REAL men--the flag was stiffened--and not a statute on that float).  It was great!  Anyway, thank you....thank you...thank you...dear veterans past and present and military families for your sacrifices.  We SO appreciate you all and the freedoms you have fought for that we may enjoy today!