A day on which we remember our heroes.

Fosters Daily (Communist) Democrat, Accent on Rat ^ | 11/11/03 | Editorial Board

[Little Bill]

A day on which we remember our heroes The veterans who served and those who made the supreme sacrifice

We observe Veterans Day this year knowing almost every day American men and women are dying in a far-off land.

The United States began its war for independence in 1775. Nine wars have been fought since. They claimed hundreds of thousands of lives lost in combat. Hundreds of lives have been lost in military engagements not chosen to be given war status.

Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost in defense of the freedoms paid for with American lives.

The American veteran has earned a special place in the roll call of the American people. They are the men and women who gave or risked their lives so that we need not fear for our own.

The last great war fought on U.S. soil was one that preserved the unity of our nation. The lives lost on both sides were those of Americans. The wars since have been fought to keep war from our shores or in the interests of the American people.

We owe our veterans of war more than we can ever pay. It is not possible to put a price on freedom.

The United States is not a warrior nation(???). Only in times of a great national emergency have we been forced to bolster our military services with conscripted personnel. Our Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps is a volunteer force.

The Americans who are dying in the cities, towns and deserts of Iraq are there because they are committed to the defense of the country.

Do they want to be there? Of course not. No one — not the president of the United States nor the families of the men and women whose lives are at risk each day want them to be there.

Neither do those brave men and women want to be there. But they see their mission and they are doing it daily, just as millions of men and women have seen their mission before them.

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According to the 2000 Census, there are 26,549,704 veterans living in the United States.

While many veterans are leading fulfilling, productive lives, others are less fortunate. Some are homeless, others are chronically ill and require ongoing health-care services.

For others, the years have taken their toll. Nearly 65,000 vets will receive long-term care this year through inpatient programs of the VA or state veterans homes, like the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton. In addition, more than 90 percent of the VA’s medical centers also provide outpatient, long-term care programs.

Veterans from World War II and the Korean War are elderly — many of them live on fixed incomes. Others are disabled or mentally ill.

Many elderly, mentally ill and disabled vets would appreciate a visit from a friend, relative or even a stranger.

Play a game with them, listen to their stories, join in their prayers. Encourage them to record their wartime memories.

But be respectful of the fact that some may find their wartime experiences too painful to share, even after many years.

Today or any time you see veterans marching in a parade, remember the significance of why they are there: They risked their lives believing they were making the world a better place for theirs and future generations.

We honor the veterans of all wars today. The men and women who fought on the front lines and the ones who acted in support — at home and abroad.

They are and always will be American heroes.

© 2003 Geo. J. Foster Company

[Little Bill]

This is the most digusting piece of trash I have read in a dogs age, disgusting even for Fosters, starts well but read with care, as all FReepers know it is not what is said, but how.</p.

[South40]