Veteran’s Day
War for independence to
would serve and offer his or her life for God, country and just cause.
Yet today that
noble service lays tattered amidst the empty and shallow promises of our
leaders. We must demand of
them: Send them not to futile sacrifice on shores so far from home, but keep your word that none shall ever die in vain.
them: Send them not to futile sacrifice on shores so far from home, but keep your word that none shall ever die in vain.
Make available
and provide for them the full funding and medical facilities to treat their
wounded bodies and spirits. Let
“Support the Troops” be an action you take and not merely words you make.
“Support the Troops” be an action you take and not merely words you make.
Honor them in
this way. You owe them this much
~ Rich Raitano 2006
November 11, 2006
Know them
Know them as tears fill
their eyes at the sight of a child while memories repeat a vision of
dead, militated, burnt children cast beside the road to Baghdad. Know them as they smile while talking about their best friend dying. Know them as you discover they sleep on the floor and run nightly patrols. Know them as a slight disagreement explodes into a killing rage and the vet is stepping backwards seeking his knives and guns. Know them as they get and lose as many different jobs as they have years separated from the war. Know them as they condemn themselves for the smallest mistake because in their world a mistake will kill someone. Know them as they display anti-social and addictive behavior. Know them as they struggle with borderline personality disorders and have extreme difficulties with interpersonal relationships. Know them who suffer the pain as they pronounce that others deserve veterans benefits more than they do. Know them as they walk in the woods while keeping a proper spacing between people they are with and constantly registering the next closest spot for cover and concealment. Know them as they drive white knuckled, holding back the urge to "SHOUT,SHOW,AND SHOOT" at the driver who gets too close on the highway and fight the desire to swerve away from anything that might contain an IED. Know them as they travel across six states to help a friend but they would not cross the street to save their own ass. Know them as they will not come to you for help. They are to proud. Know them as you would your own. Provide for them for the rest of their lives the mental, medical and social tools that reflect our ability to honor the veteran. Know them. by Tom Skiens |
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Kickass
Dear Civilians, 'We know that the current state of affairs inour great nation has many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military. For those of you who can't join, you can still lend a hand. Here are a few of the areas where we would like your assistance: 1. The next time you see any adults talking (or wearing a hat) during the playing of the National Anthem - kick their ass. 2. When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the American Flag in protest - kick their ass. 3. Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone doing otherwise, quietly pull them aside and explain how these veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every second. Enlighten them on the many sacrifices these veterans made to make this Nation great. Then hold them down while a disabled veteran kicks their ass. 4. (GUYS) If y ou were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you were. Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDUs) or Jungle Fatigues, telling others that you used to be 'Special Forces,' and collecting GI Joe memorabilia, might have been okay when you were seven years old. Now, it will only make you look stupid and get your ass kicked. 5. Next time you come across an Air Force member, do not ask them, 'Do you fly a jet?' Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. Such ignorance deserves an ass-kicking (children are exempt). 6. If you witness someone calling the US Coast Guard 'non-military', inform them of their mistake - and kick their ass. 7. Next time Old Glory (the US flag) passes by during a parade, get on your feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your heart. Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her - of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe ass-kicking. 8. Don't try to discuss politics with a military member or a veteran. We are Americans, and we all bleed the same, regardless of our party affiliation. Our Chain of Command is to include our Commander-In-Chief (CinC). The President (for those who didn't know) is our CinC regardless of political party. We have no inside track on what happens inside those big important buildings where all those representatives meet. All we know is that when those civilian representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out. If you keep asking us the same stupid questions repeatedly, you will get your ass kicked! 9. 'Your mama wears combat boots' never made sense to me - stop saying it! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore could kick your ass! 10. bin Laden and the Taliban are not Communists, so stop saying 'Let's go kill those Commies!' And stop asking us where he is! Crystal balls are not standard issue in the military. That reminds me - if you see anyone calling those damn psychic phone numbers, let me know, so I can go kick their ass! 11. 'Flyboy' (Air Force), 'Jarhead' (Marines), 'Grunt' (Army), 'Squid' (Navy), 'Puddle Jumpers' (Coast Guard), etc., are terms of endearment we use describing each other. Unless you are a service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use them. Using them could get your ass kicked. 12. Last, but not least, whether or not you become a member of the military, support our troops and their families. Every Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends, please remember that there are literally thousands of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen far from home wishing they could be with their families. Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they make every day. Without them, our country would get it's ass kicked.' 'It's the Veteran, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.' 'It's the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.' 'It's the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.' 'It's the Military 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.' |
November 11, 2006
Unhealed
" Unhealed PTSD can devastate life and incapacitate its victims from participation in the domestic, economic and political life of the nation.
The painfull paradox is that fighting for one's country may render one unfit to be its citizen."
" Unhealed PTSD can devastate life and incapacitate its victims from participation in the domestic, economic and political life of the nation.
The painfull paradox is that fighting for one's country may render one unfit to be its citizen."
The above quote by Dr. Jonathan Shay in his book, "Achilles in Vietnam", See review in the book store.
A Veteran - whether Active Duty, Retired, National Guard or Reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check, made payable to "The United States of America", for the amount of "up to and including my life." That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.
~~ Author unknown