Thank you, Troops, Past and Present

Happy Veteran's Day to all of our vets! 

Just where would we be...what freedoms would we have...if it weren't for dear men and women who have given their time...and even their lives...for us.  We were at the big state veteran's parade in Milwaukee yesterday.  It was good to shake hands with some vets and thank them for their service.  We encouraged the kids to as well (especially our oldest).  They need to learn at a young age to respect and appreciate our military.  Today in church we honored the one veteran who attends as well.  How great to have a day to honor our military...an often overlooked and unappreciated group in our society.  Thank you for serving, dear Vets!
(Thank you, Graphicsfairy, for your picture)

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!

Many, Many Thanks, Veterans!

Thank you, dear veterans, for serving our country. We wouldn't be who we are nor have the freedoms that we still do have today if it weren't for your service and sacrifices! Thank you also, family members, for your sacrifices while your soldier has served.

Thank you, Dear Veterans!

With all my heart, I thank you all for having served our country--for the sacrifices, the loneliness, the hurt, the willingness, the difficulties. Because of you--both veterans who have passed away and you who are alive today--we have our freedoms. You have been willing to serve and do what so many others could not or would not do. Shame on anyone who treats you poorly or looks down on you with disrespect because they disagree with whatever war you have fought in or are fighting in. Whatever the war, whether popular or not, you have my highest respect, and I'm thankful for a special day to honor you. Thank you to your families too who sacrificed so that you could serve. A sincere and heartfelt thank you to you all.

Thank you, dear Veterans!

I would be totally remiss if I didn't take a moment to thank everyone and anyone who has served or is serving in our armed forces. Without you we wouldn't enjoy the freedoms we have today. I give you my deepest, heartfelt, and sincerest thanks...you certainly have my support! My grandfather retired from the military, and I know the sacrifices families pay while their loved ones are serving throughout the world, so many thanks to you, dear family members, for your sacrifices as well. May God bless you all.