Veterans' Day

     We recently celebrated Veterans' day here in the good old US of A. I am proud to say that I am a veteran of our armed forces. I did 5 years active duty US Air Force, 4 US Naval Reserves and 3 US Army National Guard.

     To all my brothers and sisters, active duty, retired, discharged, whatever... I love you all!
I never saw any action other than a few bar fights in Bossier City, Louisiana. My active duty years were 1977 - 1982, just after the Vietnam War and military personnel were not very popular among nor appreciated by the local civilian populace. But I'm not complaining, just stating the facts.
     It does my heart good to see America honoring her fighting men and women once again, as she should.

     I don't feel in my heart that you have to agree with our country's policies, foreign or domestic to love our country. But if you do or don't, you should respect and love the brave young men and women who put their lives on the line 24/7 so you can sleep peacefully and in comfort.

     Here's a challenge for any and all who have ever spat upon or yelled at a service man or woman returning home from a conflict overseas...     Buy the best sleeping bag and tent your money can buy. Get the best camping stove and food you can cook on it. Now, go out in your back yard and spend a weekend. How many of you can take 48 hours without the comforts of home?

     When I was in the Army National Guard, we went to camp Shelby, Mississippi for our 2 weeks a year. After I'd been discharged for a while I saw a report on the news that some honcho from the state penal system visited and said that the conditions there would be declared unsuitable for criminals to be incarcerated there.
     What? Criminals deserve better conditions than soldiers? Soldiers volunteered to protect you and me. Criminals are those here at home we need protecting against!

     I'll get off my soap box and quit screeching now.