thank you
These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
I am going to repeat (if slightly modified) what I wrote last year for Veteran's Day.
In Defense of Freedom
I have always been appreciative of the military. Even back in my (near)liberal days, I never took the side of those who called members of our military killers or murderers. It always struck me as ironic that these people would gather by the hundreds to denounce a military action, completely oblivious to the fact that were in not for the men and women who have served this country since a military was first formed, they would not have that freedom to be standing there shouting their dissent.
No matter how much I have complained about this country, I always respected the fact that I have the right to complain.That's one of the things that makes the United States of America so great. You have the right to make an ass out of yourself in public. You have the right to hold up signs or shout slogans or sing songs at the front gate of the White House.
No matter how you feel about the War in Iraq, the war on terrorism, the war on drugs, the constitution, the pledge, our laws, our rules and regulations, you should take the time out to thank your lucky stars that our military has won for you the ability to say that you are against those things. You could be staring down the face of a dictatorship right now. You could be in a country ruled by fear, where torture is a daily occurence and people are stoned to death for speaking out.
You can sit in front of your thousand dollar computer on your comfortable chair, sipping your fresh brewed coffee and listening to your incredible collection of cds and bitch and moan all you want about how this country oppresses you.
The fact of the matter is, you are damn lucky to be living here. You are very fortunate to live in a place that affords you the freedom to be whatever you want to be, where you future is decided by your choices and actions alone.
I know where my freedom comes from. I know it comes from the blood of every soldier who ever battled in a war for this country. I know it comes from great loss and great tragedy. I know that from the Revolutionary war on up, many, many people have died or put themselves on the line so I can have the right to live my life in a free country.
I am forever thankful to those people. No matter how you feel about our president or his policies or any leader that came before him, you should be thankful, too. If not, you don't deserve the freedom that all those soldiers have afforded you.
Click this link. Show your thanks.
Thank you to all the veterans and current members of the armed forces. You are appreciated.
The following bloggers are veterans or are currently serving in the armed forces. Please stop by their sites today and say thank you.
Please see the comments for even more links to vet bloggers. The list got too long for me to keep up with - I had no idea that the blogosphere was such a hotbed of military action!
Also, check out the brand new MilBlogs - "Free Speech From Those Who Make it Happen." Damn straight.
Other vet/active duty bloggers:
Adam
Pietro
Jeremy
South Knox Bubba
Lionel
Deb
Sin City Cynic
James
Martin
Serenity
Mike
Sgt. Mom
OTB James
Jeff Quinton
Ocean Guy
John
Moore (USN)
Jay Bagley
Dave
Left & Right
James
The Timekeeper - USN.
tacitus - Army.
John Cole - Army
nathan - USAF.
Blaster
Sgt. Hook
Sgt. Stryker
Lt Smash
Chief Wiggles
Kevin
Black Five
Pontifex
Dan
CG Hill
David
Denny
Rev. Sensing
Val
Joe
Dodd
Also, don't forget Front Line Voices: Letters from Iraq and Afghanistan
Of course, you should see today's Cox & Forkum.
Jeff has a list of bloggers who have Veterans Day posts.
(If you know of any others to add to this list, please leave their names and URLs in the comments)
Comments
And me.
Posted by: blaster | November 11, 2003 08:48 AM
On my way to work this morning, I heard on the radio news that someone in Sebastopol, CA, ran around late yesterday and filled 200 flag holders on the streets with concrete. These were to hold flags today in honor of Veteran's Day.
There is no limit to my contempt for people like that.
Posted by: Ken Summers | November 11, 2003 08:55 AM
Finally found a link to the story. It was earlier, but I just heard it today.
Contempt doesn't even begin to describe it.
Posted by: Ken Summers | November 11, 2003 09:25 AM
Thanks, michele!
Other vet/active duty bloggers:
The Timekeeper - USN.
tacitus - Army.
John Cole - Army
nathan - USAF.
Posted by: Dodd | November 11, 2003 09:57 AM
Oh, and James, too. Can't believe I left him out.
Posted by: Dodd | November 11, 2003 09:58 AM
Rob of Left & Right, US Navy Veteran
Posted by: Rob | November 11, 2003 10:10 AM
Me too (US Army vet)
Posted by: dave | November 11, 2003 10:22 AM
me three - USMC
Posted by: Jay | November 11, 2003 10:35 AM
I am a USAF veteran who is on blog comment active duty.
And I'm working today for the umpteenth Veteran's Day because architects are assholes.
Posted by: ....a moment with Easycure | November 11, 2003 10:43 AM
Forgot John Moore (USN), too.
Posted by: Dodd | November 11, 2003 10:45 AM
Oceanguy... CDR USN Retired
Thanks for compiling the list of vets
Posted by: oceanguy | November 11, 2003 10:51 AM
Add me to the list also
Posted by: Jeff | November 11, 2003 10:51 AM
Very moving post Michele.
Posted by: Full Auto | November 11, 2003 10:51 AM
OTB James - Army. I'm quitting up now. :-)
Posted by: Dodd | November 11, 2003 11:10 AM
USAF 1977-1997
Posted by: Sgt. Mom | November 11, 2003 11:11 AM
USNR 1970-1976
Posted by: Mike | November 11, 2003 11:23 AM
I just have a heartfelt thank you and a salute.
Posted by: Val Prieto | November 11, 2003 11:42 AM
Michele - Thank YOU very much.
Posted by: James - Parkway Rest Stop | November 11, 2003 11:52 AM
Don't forget the Sin City Cynic!
James Martin
United States Marine Corps, 1994-2002.
Posted by: James | November 11, 2003 11:55 AM
Serenity
And myself.
Posted by: Deb | November 11, 2003 11:56 AM
My co-blogger Lionel at Across the Atlantic is a RAF veteran.
Posted by: shell | November 11, 2003 12:07 PM
Add this one...South Knox Bubba
http://southknoxbubba.net/skblog/
Posted by: mr. lawson | November 11, 2003 12:11 PM
No service here - but I'll add a heartfelt civilian salute and this tribute:
Michelle, may I copy your post to my archive sections? Due credits, the usual perks, to be referred to every Veteran's Day henceforth? It's truly beautiful. I wanted to simply cut and paste the whole thing and call it a front page, but I restricted myself to "fair comment."
Thanks for saying it so well, Michelle.
Posted by: Graphictruth | November 11, 2003 12:30 PM
and me
Posted by: jeremy hunsinger | November 11, 2003 12:40 PM
I'm honored and quite humbled to be among the list of heroes blogging. Thanks Michele, and thanks to all the veterans listed above.
Posted by: Sgt Hook | November 11, 2003 12:42 PM
And me - USAF
Posted by: Pietro | November 11, 2003 01:13 PM
And me - Airborne!
Posted by: Adam | November 11, 2003 01:16 PM
Very well said, Michele.
Regardless of where any of us fall on the political spectrum, it's an incontrovertible fact that freedom is not free.
Posted by: MikeR | November 11, 2003 01:29 PM
and me....USN, 1980-1985
Posted by: Candy | November 11, 2003 02:11 PM
My father & uncle and myself (USNR 1972-1978)
Posted by: Linkmeister | November 11, 2003 02:14 PM
I'm a Navy vet.
Great post Michele. :)
Posted by: Jim | November 11, 2003 02:16 PM
Thanks for the beautiful posting Michele.
U.S. Navy Veteran
(Aerographer's Mate Second Class)
Posted by: The Ugly American | November 11, 2003 03:26 PM
It's not your typical military post, but I did an entry on being an unackowledged military wife.
http://www.bethmauldin.com/archives/2003_11.html#000652
Posted by: Beth | November 11, 2003 04:04 PM
Enlisted - USMC
Officer - USN
Posted by: Ernest Miller | November 11, 2003 04:09 PM
You're right, Michele. I thank all of our soldiers and veterans, and apologize to them from the depths of my heart that they have been so sorely misused this past year, in both action and having their treatment and benefits cut. That's why I called my congressmen's offices today to complain about the shameful cuts.
Posted by: Joseph J. Finn | November 11, 2003 04:46 PM
Me too..er...three..uh...are we up to 11? 12?
USMC 2/84-12/92 6466/6477
Posted by: Dann Todd | November 11, 2003 04:54 PM
Thanks, Michele, for the opportunity to says Thanks.
Posted by: Doug Purdie | November 11, 2003 04:54 PM
I believe that Neal from Random Nuclear Strikes is a USN vet, and Mark (same site) is an Air Force vet.
Posted by: Raging Dave | November 11, 2003 05:09 PM
A very impressive list of veterans with weblogs.
Someone should tell Tom Tomorrow about this!
Here's his contact info.
Posted by: Smash | November 11, 2003 05:12 PM
Hey Finn,
Thanks, but no thanks, for that kind of support. Where have you been for the last 20 years?! Congress has been playing games with military personnel (pay and benefits) long before this war, because pork for their local voting public and increasing entitlements for people who may or may not deserve them is FAR more important.
Where were you when they yanked health care for retired military because Medicare should be good enough for these veterans?.... You loser!
Posted by: JFH | November 11, 2003 05:16 PM
I'm in that group too:
Mad Mikey
U.S. Navy veteran
Aviation Electronics Technician (AT)
Michele, thank you for posting your thoughts on Veterans Day. No matter how many people acknowledge veterans for their sacrifices, it's always nice to hear one more say thank you.
Posted by: Mad Mikey | November 11, 2003 05:37 PM
I am a part-time blogger and full-time reader of your blog. I've even commented a few times before this. Happy Veteran's Day to all of you out there! Thanks go especially to those who served in the 70's when we had to change into civies before we left base just so we wouldn't get beat up on the way home. It wasn't very popular or chic to be in the Corps then. Semper Fi
SGT USMC 1974-1978
Posted by: val | November 11, 2003 05:48 PM
And me.
Posted by: Juliette | November 11, 2003 06:00 PM
Er...I'm a loser because I (a) acknowledge that there is a huge problem with U.S. service members & veterans being underpaid and undersupported, and (b), I actually try to do something about it? How does that equate with the level of vitriol you just aimed my way?
I don't want to start a flame war here - just noting one way in which others could support the troops.
Posted by: Joseph J. Finn | November 11, 2003 06:04 PM
Finn,
Ain't gonna play that game; you write:
"I thank all of our soldiers and veterans, and apologize to them from the depths of my heart that they have been so sorely misused this past year, in both action..."
Ask most current military personnel and I doubt they'd think that they've been misused. Did you write a letter last year to your congressman (We did have people in Afganistan don't forget; and there's nothing new about military personnel at the bottom of the budget food chain)?
If you've honestly had a change of heart about the "military", I apologize and congratulate you on your conversion... But I'm skeptical.
I agree with you, especially on Veteran's Day, let's take this discussion offline, or on your blog
Posted by: JFH | November 11, 2003 06:21 PM
And here.
Posted by: Russ | November 11, 2003 07:56 PM
Me, too. USN, back in the 70's.
Posted by: wheels | November 11, 2003 08:08 PM
i'm a former navy vet, if it matters...
Posted by: Greeblie | November 11, 2003 08:28 PM
Greeblie, you can't be a FORMER vet!
Once a vet, always a vet.
Go Navy.
Fly Navy!
John (P-3's 1967-1968)
Posted by: John Moore (Useful Fools) | November 11, 2003 08:55 PM
I'm a USAF Vet. Here's my piece on the subject:
http://jameshudnall.com/archives/001523.html
Posted by: James Hudnall | November 11, 2003 09:14 PM
My husband, John of Arrggghhh! is a retired disabled veteran, and even I am a veteran (but just from being in the Reserve - never served like John did!)
Posted by: Beth Donovan | November 11, 2003 09:51 PM
w00t! I'm a vet, US Army.
Posted by: Jason | November 11, 2003 10:29 PM
US Army - 1989-1996
Posted by: dave | November 11, 2003 11:04 PM
USAR 1991-1997 (21st Gen Hosp - 307th POC)
Posted by: Sophorist | November 11, 2003 11:29 PM
ANGUS, 23 years
OEF in SA, PK, OM, QA
Posted by: Fûz | November 11, 2003 11:38 PM
My blogfriend Tiger is a vet as well!
Me? I'm just a very grateful civilian!
--Denita TwoDragons
Associate Tender of the Fire
Posted by: Denita TwoDragons | November 12, 2003 12:57 AM
USAF 1982-1986
Posted by: Otto | November 12, 2003 02:48 AM
Andrew Olmsted of andrewolmsted.com.
Posted by: enrak | November 12, 2003 08:11 AM
Misused = being sent into two invasions with no clear plan or solid support, with injured soldiers having to wait far too long for treatment. That's what I mean by misuse. We wouldn't stand for it in a regular job, and it's darn well obscene for our soldiers. Now that I've actually had to explain a simple post, are we clear?
Posted by: Joseph J. Finn | November 12, 2003 11:26 AM
United States Air Force
1979-Present
Posted by: Wind Rider | November 12, 2003 01:04 PM
Finn: No...being a Soldier, Sailor or Marine isn't a "regular job" and we all knew that upon taking the oath of enlistment.
The military/government is by no means perfect, but I personally found your little negative "dig" offensive and inappropriate on a thread that was simply trying to honor Veterans Day.
American servicemen/women certainly don't need a lesson from you on how they are being "misused".
How's that for clarity?
Posted by: The Ugly American | November 12, 2003 02:31 PM
I'm a vet. Cpl, 704164144 S.African Defence Force,
back when we were still fighting the damned Kaiser.
Posted by: Kim du Toit | November 12, 2003 02:53 PM
USAF 1997-Present. ASV is a daily read.
Posted by: Ian | November 12, 2003 03:05 PM
Note to Finn: My only feeling of being misused is that I didn't get recalled to active duty so I could help kill the people and break the things of those who wish us so ill that they do things like 9/11. I have no illusions about what I did as a soldier. My job was to kill people and break things until the other guy wanted to stop and talk about it. Kind of a family business, too, there being three artillerymen in a row in my family. Spare me your piously wrapped bile.
Sorry to be so late - I was too busy doing my own Veteran's Day posts over at Argghhh that I missed my daily visit here.
Shout out to all my fellow vets and those who love us!
Cheers,
John of Argghhh!
Posted by: John of Argghhh! | November 12, 2003 04:09 PM
Hey don't forget me. I had a blog but the guy who owned the bandwidth(he gave me a website for Christmas) shut me down.
By the time I finish this tour...22 years.
Posted by: alfredo stroesnner | November 12, 2003 08:46 PM
Disabled Woman Vet, USN... and I blog for peace.
:)
Posted by: Aine | November 13, 2003 03:16 PM
I just want to thank all who serve this country, without your sacrafice, this would not have be able to happen, Our continued freedom!
Posted by: Dave | May 29, 2004 02:41 PM
Order Cheese
Posted by: cheese | June 5, 2004 05:14 PM