Veterans Day...

[WILMASBOYL78]

Please take out a few moments today to remember those who have served and for those who are in harms way now. Our veterans and active duty service men and women deserve our support.

Lest we forget... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

[Xplantdad]

Agreed! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]

[RPOLS3]

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[bergy]

Amen! nearly 40 years ago I was at Ft. Lewis, Washington training with a bunch of S. Viets who could only throw granade about 20 feet! Thankfully, things got better!

[ORIGLS6]

Colors are flying high at home. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

[XXXGoldL34M20]

Thanks to all our Canadian and American Soldiers in the past for keeping our freedom alive.
Keep them save were they are fighting against war and terrorists today.

[SS427]

We have yet another local hero coming back in a casket this morning to Springfield International Airport with a procession to Chathum from there. This is happening way to often.

[x Baldwin Motion]

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Thanks to all of you civilians, family and friends that braved the cold and wind this morning to line the streets and show your support. It is truly an honor to stand amongst the men that fought in WWII, Korea, Viet Nam and the youngsters that have protected us during the recent conflicts. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif[/img]

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[CamarosRus]

I am a (in country) Viet-Nam vet. I was drafted, but then enlisted to become a Helicopter Mechanic. Someone please remind me what the death of 50,000+ American lives (and the countless disabled vets) accomplished to maintain our freedom against communist aggression.

Now these 19-21 year old marines are getting killed in Afghanstan to protect our freedom. Does anybody believe that our presence in Iraq and Afghanstan will have any long term effect on eliminating the threat of Al Quaida (sp?) or other militant groups that seek to bring us harm.

Were throwing billions of dollars at corrupt govts and their leaders. Were trying to democratize these ancient muslim cultures and that will never happen.

My sincere condolences to all those who have lost family and friends in these recent years. My thanks to those have served and to those that are still active duty.

I am leaving my home soon, and make the short drive to visit TAHOMA NATL CEMETARY. My father is buried there (WW2) and eventually so will I.

Written with tears in my eyes as I am so frustrated
, upset and saddened by these deaths and foreign policies, all in the name of keeping us free.

Sincerely, Chuck Sharin

[tom406]

A thanks to all veterans today. Last weekend I had an opportunity to view the traveling version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that was in Auburn, WA for several days. My two boys, ages 7 and 11, are currently enamored of the &quot;fun&quot; side of war-i.e. the battleships, fighter jets, and weapons featured on &quot;Deadliest Warriors&quot;. They couldn't figure out why I was driving through the rain to take them to a memorial that didn't have a band or fireworks. I think they understood after we were there and saw those 58,000 names stretched out in tiny print. We looked up a friend of my parents who died. The boys and I looked him up in the book, I asked them to figure out his age - a few months shy of 20. We looked at the day he was killed, June 9th, 1969. I have to admit getting choked up realizing that he left this world the day before I arrived on June 10. When you ponder the lives not lived-I've already been around twice as long as Mr. PAUL R EDMOND (panel 23W, line 118)-and extrapolate that to the thousands of names on that memorial and every war before or since, the horrible cost is quite apparent.

I know that there are warriors among us. I know that they are needed. But if we truly honor these folks, we should demand that they fight for things that are truly worth the cost. Many will differ in opinion on what is worth fighting for, but the debate is important, because that case has to be brought strongly to justify the price paid.