I hope that Veterans day is much more meaningful to all of us than a shopping day when there are good sales, somehow that just bugs me to see our Veterans and their memory being exploited like that.  On the other hand, if it is done in the spirit of celebration, celebrating what our Veterans have done for us, that is different, but I’m a little skeptical? Correct me if I’m wrong.

It is hard to find enough words to thank all the Veterans that are now serving our Country, and those who have served in the past.  Some will never hear our words of thanks verbally, and are forever young in our memories because their earthly lives have been shortened, but their families need our love, comfort, support and appreciation.

I post this as they are laying the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.

I have done posts in the past sharing about some of my family members who are Veterans, and other links that are special to me:

Veterans in My Family - A Post I did last year about my father-in-law, father and grandfather.  Includes links to a few other good sites.

Wounded Warrior Project - Serving those who have given significant sacrifices, both soldiers and their families.

Soldier’s Essay on the War in Iraq

The only true Veteran Candidate for President in 2008 and his story.

And finally, a post I did just in the past couple weeks by a Veteran, please watch it through to the end when he walks away.

There are numerous ways to support our Veterans, do something.

I never get tired of looking at the following photo.

I was delighted to hear a quote stating that the following video is the most watched video of this election year.  I am the 11,797,882 viewer.

I can’t tell you how many times in the past week+ I have wanted to sit down and blog away on the MANY things that have in the news lately, most recently Hillary getting a boost from the decision to count 1/2 of the delegates from Michigan and Florida, proving that, yes indeed, rules are made to be broken…depending upon who will benefit from them.

And Obama has taken his membership from his church that has taken up a lot of news time, to little to late? We’ll see.

Memorial day has come and gone, and I didn’t mention how much we appreciate our wonderful military…if you look at “Veteran’s Day” under categories, you’ll find a couple of posts that fit the occasion…including one about my Father-in-Law and other family members.

Yep, I could go on and on, and will be doing that now that we’re home from vacation and I have internet access again…but for now, just wanted to explain my absence.

Today I was talking to my Mom…she’s a woman of great faith.  We were talking about a wide range of things, including politics, and the upcoming election.  From there we somehow found our way to talking about war.

It started with talk about pulling our troops from Iraq, mention of how that would lead to consequences like the war in Viet Nam, an unfinished war.  My Dad was in Korea, and that, too, was a war that wasn’t quite finished.  I made a comment about how tragic it is that so many lives are lost, and it appears to some to be for nothing, because we just can’t seem to see our wars through to the end.  Believe me, I hate war, it would be abnormal not to, but they are a necessary evil if we are to protect ourselves, and to help our neighbors around the world…which is okay with me, by the way…I am happy that we are helping the oppressed people in Iraq.  I am happy that we are also helping people here in the USA too, we have so much!  We are spoiled, it is selfish not to want to see that for other people, other countries. But getting back to my conversation with Mom…

My mom said something very simple, yet very profound, she said that the wars that we won were won during times when we were more of a God honoring Nation than we have become. That’s all she said.  But it set my mind spinning with thoughts…we have taken God out of our schools by not allowing prayer; argue about whether we should or should not have ten commandments displayed in some places; see the Bible, God’s Word, presented in distorted ways in the media; worship materialism; do not show respect for our President and leaders…I wonder if people even know what the word respect means anymore. Oh I could ramble on, and maybe have offended some, if so, that’s okay if it leads you to do a little thinking of your own.

That was about the only political discussion I had this weekend.  I went to a local political beef-steak fund-raiser with my hubby last night, it was nice, but the music was too loud to talk, so political discussion was hard to hear…maybe that is a good thing.

Hope to be posting more, life’s been a bit little crazy lately…and dang, I have to get our income taxes done tomorrow, almost there!

This weekend we mark 4000 deaths of American Soldiers in Iraq, after marking 5 years in Irag since the invasion of that Country.

It hurts my heart to hear of the deaths, I’m a mother and feel the pain of the mothers who have lost their sons and daughters…based on that pain, it is so tempting for me to want to turn against the war, wonder how it all started…so much time has passed, that I tend to forget, as I’m sure many of us do.

My husband, the one who inspired this blog because he has more of a handle on political things than I do, has a way of bringing me back around by tracing how it all started, how it all fits together, and why we are there today. I hate the deaths, but by the time I’m done listening to him, somehow, as hard as it is, I .. can .. see .. that .. they.. have .. not .. been .. wasted .. deaths…or do I? It was really hard to type those last few words, so maybe I’m struggling, maybe I need to have him talk me through it again..and when I do, I’ll post it here for all of you.

Until then, my heart hurts for the loss, and at the same time is thankful for the freedom that we have brought to Iraq at a great price.

Today is the anniversary of McCain’s return to freedom after approx. 7 years as a POW in Viet Nam’s well known Hanoi Hilton, I already did a post back in December with a written interview done shortly after he returned home.

I’ve tried to add a video that is great, but am having trouble getting it to work, so click here to be taken to a great YouTube by John McCain reflecting on his experience.

I want to express my thanks to John McCain and so many others that have experienced what he has, as well as those who are serving in the military today, and those families who have said goodbye to loved ones who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

I belong to a great group of Baby Boomer woman, am one myself, and one of them, a poet by the name of Kathryn Tyler Little, shared an article she had written in 1969. It hit me hard reading it, as it sounds just like what we see all around us today. Here’s how she introduced the article, and then the article itself…please take the time to read it, it’s worth every second:

“The following is an article I wrote after hearing President Nixon’s speech regarding the Viet Nam War. This was written in 1969. I was still in college and getting ready to be married. But after hearing the speech I was inspired to write something that may or may not ever get read. Many people today don’t think that America will ever be destroyed or that Americans would be enslaved by another country, ideology, religion, or foreign army. Believers in God think we will always have freedom to worship but those freedoms are being chewed away daily. What is written here almost forty years ago remains the same today. Instead of Communism being the threat, it is Islam and its army of terrorists. It also is the liberal media, liberal politicians that will be easily swayed to hand America over. Will we be silent? Will be get involved? Please read the following and you be the judge.”

WHAT IS GOING TO BE AMERICA?

Upon hearing President Nixon’s speech, I was enlightened about many facets of the war in Viet Nam that have become forgotten. Many would like to forget that we had no other choice but to enter the war because we had promised our assistance and help through a written agreement. This and thousands of Vietnamese slaughtered daily as animals, showing the enemies disregard for human life. We could not stand by and watch this happen.I was pleased at the text of his speech but became disturbed when following it, the local news team, not mentioning any names, set out not to praise it but to attack it and become literally unmoved and unpersuaded. The main emphasis concerning the two approaches towards a just and lasting peace in Viet Nam was not mentioned nor were there any comments about the speech or President Nixon to show any support.

Is it possible that even our own news reporters who daily give their audiences a summation of the current news, feel it’s not worthwhile to give all their support and enthusiasm toward the President, whoever it may be. The President needs the backing of the nation’s people no matter what.

Campus demonstrations speeches geared around liberal socialist and communist attitudes are pumped daily and hourly into our young people. Adults however, are already shaped into a mould and are not easily indoctrinated to change as the younger generation.

If we are to survive as a nation we must strive to bring our minds and hearts together and overcome our apathy, ignorance and selfish lives that are too busy to make any effort to get involved. I know the Silent Majority when called upon to support the President in all his efforts did speak up with thousands of telegrams and letters expressing their support. But what is to become of our young people who when hearing the news each day, are the targets of unpatriotic, liberal and undesirable attitudes expressed by the newscasters themselves? When speaking of undesirable attitudes taken by the subversive demonstrators who heave tons of communist and socialist propaganda upon our nations campuses.

I believe when the hearts of our young are turned against the President, the government and the current policy, our nation would be looking into the barrel of tyranny. If we cherish freedom of speech, of religion and the press, we should use this freedom for good purposes and not use it to maliciously attack all that we believe in. The impressions we receive on the television media affect the minds of our young before they’re able to attend school. Those who report the news or even make comments should take care that what they say is for the benefit of the entire nation. What is said locally spreads nationally.

We as citizens must be able to differentiate, discern and weigh the words of the media. What is the intent? Is what they say for our good, our children’s good. There doesn’t seem to be any accountability. We also must preserve and emphasize our heritage of truth, honesty and freedom for without these we become as lifeless and as stagnant as our enemies want. If we don’t want to become machines in a socialistic state or become victims of brutal beatings, inhuman tortures and death in our own country, we must be watchful and vigilant, prayerful and strong in the face of our enemy, no matter who it is. This nation has been permitted by God to remain a refuge for freedom seeking people but time will tell whether Americans will realize and maintain their precious possessions and be willing to fight for what is right. Will be neglect our duties and obligations and allow this country to become enslaved. What is it going to be America?

©Copyright, 1969, Kathryn Tyler