Greg - thanks for your heart. A friend's father was with us for Christmas a few years ago, and I got hm to talking about the Battle of the Bulge, which my friend didn't even know his father had served in. That was the first and last time my friend heard his dad talk about what he experienced in Europe - he died a couple of months later. The experiences he had would have overwhelmed any of us - tripping over frozen comrades, seeing foxholes blown up in front of you, seeing the wounded, bleeding soldiers brought to the back lines, seeing someone's eyes before you shot them because if you didn't shoot, you were dead! ... these men and women suffered untold horror to protect our precious freedoms, and to try to rescue the victims of evil men. I include in that statement the Korean vets, SE Asia vets (my generation), and those who fought, and who are fighting, in the Mideast. War is an unspeakable horror, but thank God there are those who humble themselves to serve for a cause they believe is just. God bless the veterans!

Greg,

You have certainly touched a chord here. I happen to work in a profession that puts me in contact with the WWII generation on a daily basis. My experience with them is that they are pretty regular, humble folks who raised families, held down jobs, and are now enjoying their golden years. Yet these same men (and several women) were called upon to literally save the free world, while still children themselves. One friend was a seasoned bomber pilot, having flown and survived several missions over hostile territory in Europe. By the time the war ended he was considered the old man of his squadron... He was twenty three years old.

The legacy that was esablished by this greatest generation has been passed on to those who answered the call in too many armed conflicts over the course of the last sixty years. Whatever your position on our country's political status, or the morality of our current military involvements, it is an absolute requirement for every American citizen to honor those who willingly put themselves in harm's way for our benefit.

Your reminder is appreciated.