Crosspost from the Veterans Forum..two editorials in my paper today

[w8liftinglady]

Please give them both props...one is a conservative blogger, one is a liberal blogger... and they both visit from time to time

[w8liftinglady]

1. daryl,The conservative blogger-excellent editorial

http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2010/11/09/opinion/doc4cd9828f206df713622520.txt
On Nov. 11, 1918 fighting was halted between the Allies and Germany. This day was called Armistice Day for many years. Originally as a day of celebration of peace it slowly drifted into a celebration of veterans of World War 1. In 1954 after the largest deployment in the nation’s history during World War II and after the United States involvement in Korea, President Dwight D. Eisenhower Issued the first Veterans Day Proclamation.

There are those who never think of the historic significance of the day.

There are others who seek to use the day as a platform for their political purpose.

There are a few who seek to paint all with the same maladies of war, ignoring the noble service during peace time.

There are many more who do truly understand.

They work tirelessly to preserve memories and honor others through celebrations, to ensure that others will know the sacrifices to maintain liberty. They understand what many veterans feel this day. As a veteran I thank you for caring and for your work.

I cannot nor will I presume to speak for all other veterans. Following are thoughts that I have on Veterans Day when I think of all who I served with.

“We served and we are proud.

We did not do it because of our belief in an administration or because of politics, we did it because we felt a debt to the country we lived in. Even when we were drafted, we still served.

Memorial Day we will cry with you, today we are thankful with you.

We are thankful with you today because we honor the ones who served before us, with us, and after us, whether it be in peace time or war. We are thankful for the ones who came home.

Thank God for the ones who sought or answered the call of the honor of serving the United States military.”

To the ones who appreciate the service and wish to express it, Today is the day to do it.

As I do now. I thank all who served abroad and at home.

To the ones who served before me: Thank you for the country you left me.

To the ones who served with me: Thank you for serving to protect what we have been given.

To the ones who serve after me: Thank you for continuing the long battle to preserve liberty.

Daryl Stanford,

Waxahachie

[w8liftinglady]

2. Alan,the liberal blogger...another excellent one

http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2010/11/09/opinion/doc4cd982a655a3a856939098.txt

As they set off on patrol, when they start on a mission in the predawn in a land far away not knowing what awaits them, just hoping that all return unharmed. When they read the letters and look at the photos for the hundredth time, wishing they were home. While they maintain the mechanisms of war in it’s many forms. As they watched the radar screens scanning for a blip that is unknown. As they guard our coasts. While they plan the strategy to accomplish the mission. As they unquestioningly follow their orders.

When they returned to a hero’s welcome, marching in a parade with their hometown cheering and flags being waved. Even when they were despised by some spitting at them for doing a duty forced on them. Still further by being ignored by the very authority that sent them into harms way when they returned home damaged by their service and needing our help. When they came home and utilized the benefits afforded them and built a country that stands as the envy of the world. As they worked hard and raised families all the while choosing not to glamorize their time spent in the hell of war. To see the ones next to them as brothers and sisters in arms, not questioning or ostracizing those of different races, or even of political or religious beliefs, but seeing each other as part of an unifying quest for the betterment of all of humankind.

For those saluting those who can no longer salute back. For those lying in their graves in the ground of the country they so loved or in the foreign lands where they fell. For those remaining unfound and never being returned to their loved ones but cared for in the heart of their respective creator. For those whose future service is their destiny. And for the man who gave me a life and legacy to live up to.

This is why we honor them.

Those who served became part of an elite society that provided security, freedom and well being for the rest of us regardless of the differences and requirements of affiliation we choose to exploit and set up as separate camps behind the false walls that we as a nation seem to embrace in the modern reality. Is this how we honor them?

Or do we follow the lead of those we honor on Nov. 11 year after year without reservation? By doing our duty as citizens equal to their duty in service to our great country. By seeing each other as a part of, not apart from, each other.

Can we do this in return for their service? Can we become a nation worthy of their sacrifice? Yes. They deserve it.

Thank you to ALL veterans.

Alan Fox,

Waxahachie

[w8liftinglady]

3. allow me to kick..in the midst of everything that's going on,give my neighbors DU props

They did a good job...