Veteran's Day

Veteran's Day is a few weeks off. It's a day to honor veterans and their contributions to keeping us free. A lot of blood, sweat, tears, and lives have been spent for a little over a couple hundred years preserving what the Minutemen won for us. I remember standing and watching the 'old guys' marching by during numerous parades. I remember thinking, "I wonder what their stories are? What did they do to earn the medals they are wearing?"
Fast forward to now. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are producing combat-experienced veterans. More and more everyday. But something I didn't think about until today, is that there are LOTS of veteran's out there. Gulf War, Grenada, Panama, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, and of course, the Cold War. What am I rambling about? I got this in my email today.

VA: Wear Medals on Veterans Day
R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and leaders of
major veterans organizations have called on America's veterans to
help kindle a new spark of patriotism on Veterans Day by wearing
the medals they earned during military service. "We expect Americans
will see our decorated heroes unite in spirit at ceremonies, in
parades and elsewhere as a compelling symbol of courage and
sacrifice on Veterans Day, the day we set aside to thank those who
served and safeguarded our national security," said Nicholson. The
campaign follows a tradition whereby Australia and New Zealand honor
veterans of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) on
April 25. On ANZAC Day, veterans wear their military decorations
whatever they are doing. Nicholson said he hopes a U. S. tradition
will ensue to emulate this pride in being a veteran and in honoring
our veterans. Visit http://www.va.gov/veteranspride.

I think it's a good idea. Wear what you earned. Not to show off, but to take pride in being a vet. Order some minatures, or just the ribbons. Or maybe just your biggies. Take pride in what you did. What do you say, Vets? I'm game if you are.