Today is Veteran's Day.
General George S. Patton, one of the greatest generals America has ever seen (perhaps the greatest) was born on this day in 1885.
Many of the men who helped shape my life served in the military during times of conflict.
My Uncle Herb, who was also born on this day, served in the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. My father served in the Army during the Korean War. My Uncle Dick served in the U.S. Marines. My cousin Kenn C. Rust, an aviation historian and author of numerous books and articles on Air Force history, served in the Army as a combat infantryman; he was involved in the Battle of the Bulge where he was taken prisoner and finished out the war in Stalag IVB. My step-father, Jim also served during World War II, in the Army Air Corps.
In my generation in the family, there is my cousin Morgan, who served in the Army during the early stages of Vietnam. I also served, in the Air Force, serving in the 2186th communication Squadron at Torrejon Air Base, Spain, and then the 1901st Communications Group at Travis Air Force Base, CA.
The history of my family and military service goes further back than that. Maybe not sufficiently enough to form a military tradition, and none made a career of military service (although I seriously considered it), at least no one that I am aware of.
I would also like to mention my T.I. from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Tech Sergeant Bender had a unique philosophy when it came to training a new batch of recruits. It went something like this: "you aren't fit to be in the Air forceprove me wrong." Upon completion of basic training, he changed his "tune" accordingly: "You are all fine Airmennow prove me right." I am paraphrasing, however, I believe I am getting the gist of it across, and the philosophy has stuck with me over the some odd twenty years since I went through Lackland Air Force Base.
Today America salutes all those who served, and who are currently serving, in our Armed Forces.
America currently has soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines serving in harms way in both Iraq and Afghanistan, putting their bodies, and their very lives, on the line every day,, in order to protect our liberties that have been threatened by terrorist thugs; simultaneously, they are bringing the light of liberty to two peoples in the Middle-East who have suffered grievously under totalitarian regimes. People that are enjoying the first taste of freedom, and yet still suffer from the attacks of murdering terrorists who are filled with hatred for what the West has to offer: the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
And it is a heavy price that our troops in the field must pay to safeguard the liberties of those they serve and protect at home, as well as abroad.
It is with thanks to the fine members of our Armed Forces who have chosen to serve their country that I write this. And to all those who have served in the past, whether during times of conflict or times of peace, I give thanks to you as well.
Keep safe. And let freedom ring.
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