I cannot start this day without thanking every man and woman who is serving, or has served, our nation in the military. On this Veterans Day we pause to say Thanks, but it is totally inadequate for all you have sacrificed for all of us. It is because of you that we enjoy the many freedoms that we have. I can only hope that we never take for granted the fact that we can live our lives because you are willing to serve.

Thank you, not only today, but every day.

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It is impossible to thank enough all of those who serve. They protect us and our freedoms. These words by Charles M. Province can only begin to express the many ways we owe an unpayable debt to the men and women of our military.

It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

To all of you who have served, no matter when or where, thank you.

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Thank you for all you have done and continue to do.

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Way to go Ford.

(h/t Van Helsing at Moonbattery)

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100 Post Marathon #51

James Joyner has a very sensible look at the conflation of Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

We shouldn’t be surprised that this happens. Aside from the fact that 35 years of an all-volunteer force mean that relatively few have served, the two instances overlap considerably. Obviously, all who died in war are veterans. Beyond that, though, we honor veterans because they have risked death in war, whether physically (by having gone to war) or theoretically (by being available for deployment). And when we honor those who have fallen in past wars, it’s only natural to pay at least passing homage to those currently risking their lives in ongoing wars or those who did so in past wars and lived to tell the story.

A very good point.

If you can…

To learn more about the 100 Post Marathon read here and especially here.

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100 Post Marathon #45

The first of what I’m sure will be many posts pointing to some very good Memorial Day remembrances.

Basil’s Blog

My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy

If you can…

To learn more about the 100 Post Marathon read here and especially here.

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100 Post Marathon #37

Frank Buckles is the last surviving veteran of World War I. I hope you are humbled, as I am, by his words. While Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have died in service to our country, it doesn’t hurt to remember those like Mr. Buckles, who may only be with us a short time longer.

h/t: Dave in Texas at Ace of Spades who said,

I hope we remember what they gave us. I hope it keeps us focused upon what those who serve now give us.

I will wager a paycheck that most of you have someone in your world, who does this. Day in, day out. About to deploy, or back from one.

What they do, or did, is so much. They loved you and our country with their very bodies, and their souls (and boxers). It’s that.

God keep them.

Amen.

If you can…

To learn more about the 100 Post Marathon read here and especially here.

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100 Post Marathon #33

I uses Google’s reader to aggregate the feeds of the blogs I like reading. I “star” items that I think would be worth writing about or posts that I don’t have time to read right then. I try to clear out what I’ve read and/or written about. I am way behind. Right now I have 1040 starred items going back to January of this year. A lot of them I can just dump, they weren’t things I wanted to write about, just posts I wanted to read. But some of them, even though dated, still deserve mentioning.

This item (it’s actually a news release) I’ve kept starred since January 21st. I never did post about it, until now.

Craftsman(R) Tools Joins Forces With Helmets to Hardhats to Help Soldiers Transition Into Civilian Jobs

In yet another show of support for the nation’s military, Sears Holdings today announced an alliance for the Craftsman tool brand with Helmets to Hardhats. A nonprofit organization created by the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO, construction industry employers and trade associations, Helmets to Hardhats helps veterans successfully transition into family-supporting careers in the civilian sector. Helmets to Hardhats connects National Guard, Reserve, retired and transitioning active-duty military members with quality career training and employment opportunities within the construction industry.

Under the agreement, veterans who register with Helmets to Hardhats (www.helmetstohardhats.org) and are placed as an apprentice or journeyperson will receive a $50 Craftsman gift card toward the purchase of $100 or more in Craftsman tools in recognition for their service and to help them purchase their initial set of tools for their new trade.

If you can…

To learn more about the 100 Post Marathon read here and especially here.

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100 Post Marathon #15

Home for a three day weekend and ready for some time away from work. Of course the most important part of this weekend is Memorial Day. Are you ever just stopped by the realization that men and women have sacrificed everything so we can enjoy everything our country has to offer?

We honor those people this weekend and thank them and their families for what they’ve done for us.

If you can…

To learn more about the 100 Post Marathon read here and especially here.

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William Teach says he can’t add anything to Today’s Feel Good Story: Dad Home Early From Iraq and neither can I. Go read it, it will make your Christmas a little merrier.

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