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:patriot: With Veterans Day only a few days away I thought I would rant a little of my favorite sore spot. Since we started to send the best of our best to the Middle East, we have lost 4,817 truly great young American’s and sent back 10's of thousands more back home severely wounded. I cringe when someone says "we are at war" knowing full well they have probably not even taken the time to see the names and look at the faces of the people who really are at war much less do anything to support them or their families. Our politicians have been able to isolate us from the true cost of what we do and it allows us to put this issue to the back of our mind. Because we have no direct cost, we tend to let the isssue fade away. We only think about these young people when some 2 minute report on the news shows us how we treat them when they come home.

We have a suicide rate among active duty and veterans that is twice the national average. It is no accident that these kids have such problems that would drive them to such a drastic option. For some, the pain doesn't stop at the border.

Please check in your town and see if they are planning any Veterans Day celebrations and try to attend. And when you are sitting quietly with nothing special to do, go on-line and lookup the stories of the young people who have given their forever for you and our country. It doesn't matter whether you support the wars or oppose them. These great people are doing what they have been asked to do for US. November is Military Appreciation Month and a good time for us to give a few minutes of our time to recommit ourselves to offering our support.

God Bless America and God bless our children.

Here are a few sites that can help you begin your search.....

http://www.iraqwarheroes.com/ (This site include suicides when known.)

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/iraq/forces/casualties/

http://icasualties.org/oif/

Here is an example of one story. This young hero was from a neighboring town and even though I never new him his life's promise and untimely death breaks my heart.
http://www.legacy.com/gb/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=88580125&PageNo=8

Here are a few sites you can go on and actually do something to support our troops. Some will not require your money, just your support. So wether you have the financial ability to help or not, we can all let these new Greatest Generation young people know we care and support them.

Soldiers Angels http://www.soldiersangels.org/

Fisher House http://www.fisherhouse.org/

Intrep Fallen Heroes Fund http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/

If this post offends you then I have reached the correct audience. If you see the point then I thank you.

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Thanks for the heads up & reminder. :cheers:

For those who are interested Soldiers Angels is a very worthwhile charity that my family supports.:thumbsup3:

Please do check out all the above and support your local Vets! They deserve it.:yay:

:patriot: :thumbsup3:

Also Nov 10 is the 233 Birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Happy Birthday guys and Thank You for all you do.

I can't wait till my Marine Corps Birthday ball they are really a great time. One of my young marines had never been to one and didn't want to go it really crushed me that he though sitting alone in his barracks was a better plan come to find out he was hurting a bit on cash. Needless to say a bunch of us fixed that problem and i can't wait till wed when we show back up to work and he is telling stories of his first ball.

Thank you all for supporting your troops it feels great to here the good things people have to say about us.

We really celebrate our military everyday. Without their sacrifices, we would not be here. USN, 7 of the best years of my life!

:patriot: I believe that far too many Americans just don't understand how much our young people under arms need our support. I'm not talking about sending donations and waving flags at parades and returns from tours overseas. While both of these outward signs of support are very important, sometimes all that is needed to make a difference is a simple letter or a small "care" package. That is why I include Soldiers Angels as one of my supported charities.

Because we are so busy trying to scratch out a life in some very difficult times we miss out on the opportunities we have to make huge impacts in the lives of some very special people. I am very lucky to have been able to research the lives of all 98 service men and women from my home state who have given the ultimate for their beliefs and our protection. It never ceases to amaze me how special these people are.

I was asked to bring the two old military vehicles you see in the original post to local cruises that were held to raise funds for the VFW care package drive. I ran a power point presentation on a 32" flat screen monitor on the side of the truck. showing the 98 Massachusetts residents lost to date in Iraq and Afghanistan. The presentation was shown before at least 2,000 people and not even 98 stopped for even a minute to see it. I realize that this type of thing can be very powerful, but if we are not willing to face the real cost we can never "win" ANY war. We have to realize that the numbers have names and faces and their lives mattered.

I want to thank everyone who took a minute to read my rants and I hope we all agree that we can all do more.

Thanks for reading my rants and more importantly, thank you for supporting our troops.:patriot:

Remember, tomorrow is Veterans Day!!! Don't forget to stop and honor these people. If you are looking for me, I will be at the parade and cerimonies in my town.:patriot:

EVERY MONTH IS MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH!!

:patriot:
Personally, I HATE that people forget we're in the middle of a war. I support the troops no matter what ...
POLITRICS ASIDE

EVERY MONTH IS MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH!!

:patriot:
Personally, I HATE that people forget we're in the middle of a war. I support the troops no matter what ...
POLITRICS ASIDE

The problem is we are NOT at war. We have a very, very small percentage of the country that has to bear the cost and the rest of us sit back on our *** and put yellow ribbons on our cars. Does anyone ever ask where the profits from those ribbons go? I can assure it's not to help the troops.

I find it amazing that our politicians learned the lessons of Vietnam and what they learned was as long as we don't ask for any sacrifice and hide the cost ,they can and do anything they want with no political cost to them at all. Do you even hear of the deaths or learn their names from the evening news anymore? Not very often. And the real horror will be we will let the survivors die in the streets of our major cities because there will be no money help them with their nightmares and even less concern. The suicide rate among veterans is twice that of the average as a whole. If there is a God, we are going to have a severe price to pay!

So yes. every day should be Military Appreciation day but I fear that as in the past it is only words.

Here are the people from my state that have paid the ultimate price. I am ashamed to say that when I go to shows and cruises and show this on a 32" monitor on the side of an antique military vehicle, I get almost no one who will even stop long enough to see even a hand full the the faces and names of their neighbors. I hope you will take a minute to look at a piece of these great kids and maybe take a few minutes to research the names of your neighbors on the Internet. I have to warn you, if you have any heart it is going to make you cry. If you are form Massachusetts, just give me you email address and I will be happy to send you a copy of the full video.

For anyone with interest in the numbers, as of yesterday 12/8/2008 are: Iraq Killed-4,209, wounded 30,852 -- Afghanistan killed -624, wounded 2,605.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYGhKNRSrX0&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYGhKNRSrX0&feature=related)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4cj3QucTyg&feature=related

Thank you CorvetteArchives, but I fear you are in the minority.

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Jim

Jim,
Yes, you're right too many people forget since their actual lives aren't affected by the war. Yes, the mainstream national news doesnt really give a rats ____ anymore since they cant use it to their political advantage to get their candidate elected. However, here in PA we have a tv show on Blue Ridge Cable that repeats daily a weekly veterans show.
You see the Marines everywhere for toys for tots.
The Patriot Guard riders are everywhere.
The local news picked up on a pastor removing American flags from the graves for the winter and the Vets put them right back. It was a HUGE ISSUE.

PA also has one of the largest National Guard Contingents in Iraq. I think the problem is that MA just sucks! I grew up in CT and fled to PA because I didnt like the overall NewEngland "attitude" and value system. I'm willing to bet the freedom to carry arms in self defense directly relates to each states attitude in rememebring our troops.

Obama was right when he said we here in PA stick to our bibles and our guns but what he doesnt realise is that we value personal Liberty and the core Values in the bible (not a verbatim interpretation as he'd have you believe) and we express this in our Patriotism.
Personally I think we should get our troops out ASAP but recognise some vets attitudes that we must stay to finish the job so those that died dont "do so in vain". But I'd say protecting your friends future lives is more important. Either way I support their decisions and sacrifice as do most everyone here in PA.
:patriot:

Jim,
Yes, you're right too many people forget since their actual lives aren't affected by the war. Yes, the mainstream national news doesnt really give a rats ____ anymore since they cant use it to their political advantage to get their candidate elected. However, here in PA we have a tv show on Blue Ridge Cable that repeats daily a weekly veterans show.
You see the Marines everywhere for toys for tots.
The Patriot Guard riders are everywhere.
The local news picked up on a pastor removing American flags from the graves for the winter and the Vets put them right back. It was a HUGE ISSUE.

PA also has one of the largest National Guard Contingents in Iraq. I think the problem is that MA just sucks! I grew up in CT and fled to PA because I didnt like the overall NewEngland "attitude" and value system. I'm willing to bet the freedom to carry arms in self defense directly relates to each states attitude in rememebring our troops.

Obama was right when he said we here in PA stick to our bibles and our guns but what he doesnt realise is that we value personal Liberty and the core Values in the bible (not a verbatim interpretation as he'd have you believe) and we express this in our Patriotism.
Personally I think we should get our troops out ASAP but recognise some vets attitudes that we must stay to finish the job so those that died dont "do so in vain". But I'd say protecting your friends future lives is more important. Either way I support their decisions and sacrifice as do most everyone here in PA.
:patriot:


Thanks for your response. I lived in western PA for about 5 years and really enjoyed my time there and still have friends I keep in touch with. I grew up in Wisconsin and I must admit that the attitude in MA on a one on one basis may surprise you. I was very surprised on just how many young men and women volunteer for military service. One thing I have learned over my travels is never underestimate the valor and patriotism of our young, no matter where they come from. I do parades on the 4th of July with a couple of military vehicles I own with a memorial of the young people from the region who have gave all and it really surprises me on the positive response I get. One of the towns I do is your typical Boston high brow region and they all seem to "get it".

It may be true that New England may have been vociferous in their non support for the war in Iraq but so far they seem to support the troops which is what is really the important thing. The real test will be what we do after the glow of the war subsides and these kids end up on the streets. The problem has already started. If you have the time, check out how Illinois is dealing with the mental trauma their vets are dealing with. Let's all make a promise that we won't forget these kids as they come home and have to deal with the stress. Not only the scars of combat, but this horrible economic mess they we have to deal with.

Here are a couple of videos of Massachusetts finest:

P4cj3QucTyg

SYGhKNRSrX0

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: Every Month is military appreciation Month :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: