Thank You day 11

Today we honor those that have assured us the ability to live in relative peace and happiness. They have given us the right to be gready and fill our homes with useless drivel. We can live beyond our means and fill our bellies with good as well as unhealthy food. We can go to work or school and speak our minds and never fear that we will be arrested or even worse, killed for it.

We do not fear our loved ones being taken from us and put in jail for having an opinion. We can do this, because someone else's father, son, brother choose to put himself in harms way to keep it thus. I say "Thank you".

I am proud to place my hand over my heart and pledge my allegience to the symbol of my country. I shed tears each and every time I sing the national anthem. I am thankful that so far, my sons have not been called upon to lay down their life for my freedom, but if they are called upon to do so, I will pray for their safety, but know that the day may come that I will see two men in dress blues at my door. I will weep for that, but still be proud and know that they did what was asked of them for my continued comfort.Let us not forget the many valiant men and women that have given us our freedom this day.

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Indeed.

Veteran's day

Today we honor those that have assured us the ability to live in relative peace and happiness. They have given us the right to be gready and fill our homes with useless drivel. We can live beyond our means and fill our bellies with good as well as unhealthy food. We can go to work or school and speak our minds and never fear that we will be arrested or even worse, killed for it. We do not fear our loved ones being taken from us and put in jail for having an opinion. We can do this, because someone else's father, son, brother choose to put himself in harms way to keep it thus. I say "Thank you".

I am proud to place my hand over my heart and pledge my allegience to the symbol of my country. I shed tears each and every time I sing the national anthem. I am thankful that so far, my sons have not been called upon to lay down their life for my freedom, but if they are called upon to do so, I will pray for their safety, but know that the day may come that I will see two men in dress blues at my door. I will weep for that, but still be proud and know that they did what was asked of them for my continued comfort.

Let us not forget the many valiant men and women that have given us our freedom this dayl

Respect and Responsibility and a Thank You

This year at school we have been emphasising Respect and Responsibility to and for each other. Today we had an assembly for the 8th grade students. The American Legion came to speak about our Veterans and about Monday, Veterans day. It was a great assembly. The students were kind and respectful. They stood for our country's flag, they said the pledge, the stood and honored the flags of each branch of the military (yes, that Oorah! that you heard came from me for the Marine flag). I think they were moved as much as I and the veterans that were sitting next to me were. And yes, I had to wipe a few tears away.

The boys, of course, were most impressed with the ROTC drill team and the way they threw their rifles in drill. It was a cool presentation. One of the drill members had asked me before hand to please video tape them with his camera. I hope it worked for him. I love the way he approached and addressed me, "Excuse me, mam". So dignified and you know I love the military bearing. And you also know that I can never refuse someone in the service.

Thank you, Mrs. Zufelt, for giving our students the opportunity to hear from these men and remember them and their sacrifices. One of our sweet students came to me later in the day with a poem she had written about veterans. It was so sweet and it made tears come to my eyes.