Changing Temperatures

I haven't posted anything in a while. I'm trying to catch up on things I haven't done in the last several months. I'm not looking forward to the upcoming months. It's winter in the South. The colder temperatures are not something we generally have to cope with, but it can get frigid here.  There was a time last winter when it was sub-zero for almost a week. Rolling power outages didn't make the situation any better. The winter sets in from the end of December to the end of February.  

The end of November is here. I wanted to post more about Veterans and Thanksgiving. Still, we can do that any time as we all should in giving thanks for the many blessings and gratitude for the Armed Forces of the United States and the veterans that have contributed to the military might that America has known for 248 years.     

Heroes Don't Wear Capes

 

November

November is the month to honor Veterans. 

Most would think November is the month of Thanksgiving or the pre-Christmas month. But I see it as the month for veterans because, without the veterans, we would not have all those freedoms we experience throughout the year.  People take for granted and not really thinking about those who served in our military to protect our country's freedoms. My wife and I always make time for our local Veterans Day parade.  We had experienced times when just a few people came to the parade. It was a sad experience seeing World War II vets walking in the parade waving at the small gathering of groups of supporters on the sidewalk. These guys put their life on the line for us and were willing to take the possibility of dying for our country. The sidewalks should have overflowed with people waving back at them and expressing gratitude.  

Why has our country come to the point of going overboard, celebrating every ethnic and LGBTQ group throughout the year? And barely giving any notice to the US Veteran. The patriotism for our country and those who serve it has disappeared. And those of us who have served and known the sacrifices our military makes every hour of every day can't express how grateful we are to the heroes of the past and present. 

I hope more people will come to local Veterans Day celebrations this year. 

Thank a Veteran!

Photo: BrianPenny - pixabay

Un-Patriot

The month of July

The patriotic month for the United States.

But it has not seemed so patriotic with groups of people trying to dismantle our history. The history of the United States is what we have, good or bad its ours.  And with our history we learn how to make life better for us now and in the future. 

This time of protest is the first for me in my life to experience the un-patriot. America has within always had differences in opinions but the disrespect I have seen to law, various institutions, history, and the American Flag has been troubling. I realize that not all of America feels this way. The silent majority is quite and observing. I believe the reserved citizens will not take this anymore. Peaceful protest will begin, and the introverted majority will come out and unite against this disrespect for our country.

Nashville National Cemetery

I Stand for the Flag

A few days ago, I had someone ask me about watching Pro Football (NFL). And my next statement was I stand for the flag. I do not watch the NFL anymore. This is not to say I will never watch it again. But until the NFL changes its position on the players kneeling during the National Anthem. I will not support them. I served this country and the flag it represents which includes the people who have died for it.

Veterans

The Veterans of the United States have a special place in history.

Before my deployment to Desert Storm, my unit invited some Korean War Vets to share some of their experiences with the senior staff NCO's.  I remember hearing their stories about the difficulties they faced. Their war was a long time ago and the war was fought in a different part of the world. But the one message that applied then and now was leadership. They talked about leading and taking care of the Marines who were under their command.

Today, the veterans of the most recent wars will be here for our future military. They all take their place in history as some the great leaders of our American military.

The next time you see a Veteran thank them for their service to our great nation.   

   

D-Day - June 6, 1944

 

Remembering and Honoring Those Who Served and Died