Veteran's Day...An Honor

In honor of Veteran's Day I show a photo of my Grandfather, who I adore, who served in WWII (for more information about WWII, please click on the link provided...Wikipedia).

My Grandpa hasn't expected much in the way of praise for his service to our country. He just seems to feel that he did his duty.

Without men of honor like my Grandfather, (men serving in the past and men serving today) under what circumstances would we find our freedoms...our basic rights?

Shouldn't we take pride in our men and women who take it upon themselves to put their lives on the line for what they believe in?

Even if you or Joe Smoe down the street don't believe in a certain war or cause in which the U.S. military are fighting, isn't the reason they enlist (to selflessly protect and serve our country) enough to warrant extraordinary respect?

They don't pick and choose who they fight or who the United States goes to war against.

Those who serve in the military firmly believe that we have freedoms...a constitution...basic human rights and that those rights warrant defense.

Many of these freedoms, constitutional and basic human rights are concepts other countries don't understand...don't fathom...and concepts many Americans take for granted.

Before you decide to place judgement on someone in the military
...before you decide to place blame for your plight in life
...before you put another wounded soldier in a V.A. hospital
...that is a hospital known to be run down with filth and decay...

Remember who are fighting for your freedoms.
Remember who volunteer to be on the front lines facing enemy fire.
Remember who volunteer to help others less fortunate than yourself.

People wish to immigrate here from other countries for a reason.

Are you willing to go on the front lines for them?

America the Beautiful (please see link...scout songs)
Words by Katharine Lee Bates, Melody by Samuel Ward

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice, for man's avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!