An Open Letter to all Veterans on Veteran's Day

In England, at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building' by the United States. He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.'

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A Canadian Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the Canadian, U.S., English, Australian and French Navys. At a cocktail reception,
he found himself standing with a large group of officers that included personnel from most of those countries.
Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages,
North Americans generally learn only English.' He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?'

Without hesitating, the Admiral replied 'Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians,
Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.'

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Robert Whiting, an elderly Canadian gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane.
At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on.
'You have been to France before, monsieur?' the customs officer asked
sarcastically.
Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously
Then you should know enough to have your passport ready.'
The Canadian said, ''The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it.
'Impossible. Canadians always have to show passports on arrival in France!'
The Canadian senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained,
''Well, when I came ashore on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country,
I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to.'

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On the 11th, we honor all of those who donned our nations uniform. Some served during peacetime, others of us during war. It's a time of remembrance, but also of sadness. We hear "thank you for your service" and accept the sentiment on behalf of those that didn't live to hear it.

My sentiment I direct to our uniformed men & women serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, and all the other places where they represent our country by being the sharp end of the spear. "Thank you for Your Service".

"Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war" ~Otto Von Bismark

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

(John McCrae, WWI)

Thank you to all veterans of foreign wars, US, Canada, Britain, and all the rest. I wear the poppy proudly, over my heart, and salute you and your families, who have also sacrificed for our safety, our security and our rights. I think of my Father, Private, 1st Class, ("Loyal Edmonton Regiment") 1940-1945.

Thank you Vets for your many times thankless service.
"The more we sweat in peace the less we bleed in war." -Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
(That quote expresses how I feel)

Coraj says, " I love a man in uniform. You can come up and visit anytime."

Thanks to all in every military branch for their service...

Thank you!