Veterans Day 2007

For most people this day is just another day and it should and should not be that way. In one respect the service of our military is in service to our people so that our society may continue as a whole. There are no guarantees in America but there is the right to voice your opinions in protest of war. In the other respect, many men and woman in our military have died to make our lives what they are today and should not be forgotten. Many more have survived battle only to be lost and forgotten as the wounded warriors of yesterday.

Watching a documentary called The War by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick on PBS today made me thankful for the courage and fortitude of all veterans of WWII. So many lives were lost in the battles of the war and yet they persevered to liberate Europe and ultimately defeat the Axis Alies. Then I thought about the people that survived the many battles during the war and how grateful I am that they did. My father being just one of the many.

One point in the documentary jumped out at me to show the true spirit behind the fighting American military forces in Europe. Upon reaching the Rhine, General George S. Patton Jr. stopped halfway across the river on a pontoon bridge. Since the start of the war he had always wanted to piss in the Rhine, right there in the middle of the bridge, and in front of all of his men, he pissed in the Rhine! Not to be comical but what a pisser!

From my heart to the hearts of all Veterans I submit this humble post to thank you for all that you did in the past, present and in the future. You will never be forgotten by this political writer.
Papamoka

Feel free to link to this post in support of all Veterans.

I'm From Worcester has a great Veterans day parade post from Worcester, MA...

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Broken Hearts of Nine Firefighter Families

My heart felt prayers are with the nine families of the Firefighters lost in the fire in South Carolina. Out across the land many of American families will sit down to dinner tonight and Dad will be there. That will not be the case for nine families in South Carolina. When you sit down to your dinner table, say a prayer for those families. Pray for them to get through this difficult time as best they can, pray that they look to one another and embrace one another in grief and mourning knowing that the fallen firefighter in their family was a true hero. Not just any hero but an American hero.

Someone once said that God has no greater love than that of one that looses his own life to save another. I’ll be praying for the families of the lost firefighters. They need all of us now and it is up to all of us to remember the deeds of nine very brave men.

Over at the Washington Post they have this coverage on this tragedy in South Carolina…

S.C. Warehouse Fire Kills 9 Firefighters

By BRUCE SMITH
The Associated PressTuesday, June 19, 2007; 4:19 PM

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Fire swept through a furniture warehouse, collapsing its roof and killing nine firefighters inside _ the nation's deadliest single disaster for firefighters since the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

"Nine brave, heroic, courageous firefighters of the city of Charleston have perished fighting fire in a most courageous and fearless manner, carrying out their duties," Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley said at a morning news conference. "To all of their loved ones, our heart goes out to them." - Washington Post

Just as the nation grieved for the fallen six Firefighters in Worcester, MA we should come together as one people to think and pray for the nine lost in Charleston, South Carolina.

Call your local church and ask that the next service be in their honor. Above all remember to thank your local Firefighters for what they do every single day. When the alarm rings and they go out the door there is always the chance that some of them might never see the fire station or their families again. In Charleston they know that pain all to well today.

From the people of Worcester, MA we send our thoughts and prayers. May God bless them all.

Papamoka

Other folks talking about this tragedy...

The Rev. Chuck Currie