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Posted on 11/11/2003 3:31:06 AM PST by snippy_about_it
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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 To our veterans - Thank You  Veterans Day A day set aside to honor our country's living veterans. At the Foxhole honoring veterans is a major part of our mission. Whereas we will not forget those who died or our POW/MIAs, and course those who are currently serving, today we specifically honor those men and women living among us who have served our country in times past, our living veterans. Especially here at the Foxhole we are blessed to have veterans as part of our Foxhole family both as readers and contributors.  We would like to welcome all our veterans to the Foxhole on this very special day as we attempt to honor you and thank you for your service to our country. Freedom is not free and our debt to you and those gone before you can never fully be paid. May God richly bless you all. Welcome home and we will never forget. It matters not where, when or how your served; here at home or in a foreign land, in the air, at sea or on land; in peacetime or in war, on the battefield or behind a desk; on supply lines; as an engineer, a mechanic, an infantrymen, a cook or medic. You chose to volunteer or fullfilled your duty by the draft and served America and we are forever grateful. Every job is important as they all support each other and the cause of freedom. Some sacrifices are greater, yes, and some service more dangerous than others, yet all service is sacrifice by the troop and their family and we highly respect that service. Some gave all, all gave some. Thank you all - from SAM and snippy  "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." --Thomas Paine, Founding Father  "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their Nation." --George Washington  "Let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain." --Dwight D. Eisenhower  "We must not forget the past. We must not forget those who sacrificed, but we must also remember the reason for their sacrifice. They died so tyranny would die. They died to create a better world for those of us who followed them. Their sacrifice was not in vain." --Secretary of State Colin Powell as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, observing the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1991.  "America was founded on the principles of liberty, opportunity, and justice for all, and on Veterans Day we recognize the men and women of our Armed Forces who have valiantly defended these values throughout our Nation's history. These remarkable individuals have helped to make our Nation secure and to advance the cause of freedom worldwide. By answering the call of duty and risking their lives to protect their fellow countrymen, these patriots have inspired our Nation with their courage, compassion, and dedication. Our proud veterans have also helped to shape the American character. They have given us an extraordinary legacy of patriotism and honor, and their service represents the highest form of citizenship." --George W. Bush  Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty. --- Department of Veterans Affairs   who has given us freedom of religion. who has given us the right to keep and bear arms. who has given us freedom of the press. who has given us freedom of speech. who has given us freedom to assemble. who has given us the right to a fair trial. Who has given us the right to vote.   AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.         |
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
What does Veteran's Day Means to me? I ponder this question and realize it has everything to do with me. Veteran's Day is not a day to depress me. I know I will sit through solemn speeches about our country. It is a day where I should get out and thank the brave warriors who fought and gave our country the freedom we have today.
"Give me liberty or give me death!" These courageous words were spoken by Patrick Henry; one of the thousands of fighters and leaders that went off to battle. Men throughout our country were taken from their peaceful homes to go into war and fight for what is right. Young men bid farewell to their families and departed not knowing what would happen to them when they went out into the great, harsh, cold, and dreadful unknown. These brave warriors trained for the hard labors they would have to face. Then they went off to battle. Some wars lasted only a few months. Other wars dragged on for years. Men had little or no food. The weather was often extreme (cold or hot), and some of these soldiers died from starvation or diseases that spread quickly among the troops. Many of the warriors were extremely tired because they stayed up all night watching for invaders or intruders. A day in a war was extremely busy. There were weapons to make, clothes to replace, enemies to fight, and people to bury. The conclusion of the war brought tears. People mourned over their losses, in sorrow and despair. A few of the lucky soldiers were able to return to their homes and families. They were, however, forced to live with the chilling effects of the war. Most of the warriors gave up their life to battle, and died with honor for their countries.
There have been many wars over the centuries and many young men and women who have risked their lives for what they believed was right. There were people who felt real pain, who knew what it was like to starve, or who went to bed with the sound of helicopters and gun shots overhead. These warriors lived every second of the remainder of their lives in fear. These people should not be considered just soldiers or warriors; they should be considered as war heroes to our nation and country.
So what does Veteran's Day mean to me? I reconsider this question and think about the hardships these men had to go through and face. I realize I should be able to go listen and understand long speeches and be grateful and glad for I get the easy way out. Look how America is today. See how independent and free we are. We have the ability to make our own choices and decisions in life. Without our heroes we would not be where we are in life today. So everyone in this nation should stop and think on one of the most important holidays we have in America... Veteran's Day!
We love our FREEDOM here you see
and we hate it when others are kept in darkness
left starving and wanting because of evil greed!
We VETS took a stand
to LET FREEDOM RING
through the lands
we did our duty to keep
American FREE.
THANK YOU VETS!
bentfeather
I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all.
James Crane worked on the 101st floor of Tower 1 of the World Trade Center. He is blind so he has a golden retriever named Daisy. After the plane hit 20 stories below, James knew that he was doomed, so he let Daisy go, out of an act of love. She darted away into the darkened hallway. Choking on the fumes of the jet fuel and the smoke James was just waiting to die. About 30 minutes later, Daisy comes back along with James' boss, who Daisy just happened to pick up on floor 112.
On her first run of the building, she leads James, James' boss, and about 300 more people out of the doomed building. But she wasn't through yet, she knew there were others who were trapped. So, highly against James' wishes she ran back in the building.
On her second run, she saved 392 lives. Again she went back in. During this run, the building collapses. James hears about this and falls on his knees into tears. Against all known odds, Daisy makes it out alive, but this time she is carried by a firefighter. "She led us right to the people, before she got injured" the fireman explained.
Her final run saved another 273 lives. She suffered acute smoke inhalation, severe burns on all four paws, and a broken leg, but she saved 967 lives. The next week, Mayor Giuliani rewards Daisy with the Canine medal of Honor of New York. Daisy is the first civilian Canine to win such an honor.
Editor's Note: This is a great story which is circulating on the Internet. However, it can't be corroborated with any news accounts. According to rumormill.com, Guide Dogs for the Blind website has an account of a man who was helped from the 78th floor by his guide dog, but the dog did not go back into the World Trade Center to rescue others. I suspect CBS (sarcasm), but enjoyed the story anyway -- as a belated honor to the dogs who have been true heroes -- in Vietnam, at the World Trade Center, and on many of our streets in the service of their police handlers. That's where is Lassie when you need her.
Thanks for the kind words. And a big thanks to Msdrby. She just scanned this picture of my kid sister. My sister was all of 20 at the time she served with the 101st Airborne in Saudi and Kuwait during Desert Storm
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