Knowing A Veteran, Is A Special Honor, Especially, Today!

November 11, 2008, It is Veteran's Day today in the United States of America. These are men and women who give unselfishly of themselves to serve our country. My Dad is a Marine. My Cousin, Jimmy, too. My Brother, Steve, Army. His Son, a Marine. My Home Inspector, a Marine. My Pharmacist, Army. My Cousin Joey, Navy. A Coach at Buffini and Company, Ward, Green Beret ~ Marine, A Client, Keith Harris, Army, My Uncle, Tom Blasko, Air Force, My Nephew, Thomas Ceniglio III, Army, and My friend Mike, who works now for Southwest Airlines, Navy Chief, Bill Gero, Realtor and Member of Active Rain, Air Force, George Souto, Banker & Member of Active Rain, Army.

These men that I know, all did make it home after their service term ended. All do not. I always say a special prayer on this day, for those who did not make it home. I remember them. Most of the young men I went to school with served in Vietnam. Some did not come home. They gave their lives for our peace and safety.

What about the military that were injured and wounded? I love to watch Extreme Makeover and see them award a home to a service man or woman who was injured during service, but, made it home. Struggling on their way, yet, determined to move forward and not look back. Could you do that? It takes a special person to give themselves in service to our country. Let's be grateful and appreciate these fine people today and everyday. Acknowledge them when you see them out and about. Let them know, they are appreciated. They are modest, don't really like attention. They are very special people! We thank them for their noble service.

I called my Brother, Steve, this morning. He now lives in Long Beach, California. I said, so, what is a Veteran doing on his special day? He chuckled and said, working. He was running around with a list of errands all morning. He said that when I called it made him remember his service. He was going to go to the beach in the afternoon. He would celebrate the freedom he now has because of all of the Veterans in our country and thank God that we are safe and secure.

God Bless America!

God Bless Our Veterans!