"That the people have a right to keep and bear arms; that a well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defence of a free state; that standing armies, in time of peace, are dangerous to liberty, and therefore ought to be avoided, as far as the circumstances and protection of the community will admit; and that, in all cases, the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power.
"Recommended Bill of Rights from the Virginia Ratifying Convention,27 June 1778
Reference: The Debates of the Several State..., Elliot, vol. 3(659)
Blessings to you, Honored Vet! Thank you.
My thoughts and prayers are with so many today. I'm reminded of my hometown in New Mexico where an entire city block of the Civic Center is filled with row upon row of American Flags. A veritable Old Glory Forest. VFW members and the VFW Auxiliary see to this on every National day of special observance. Memorial Day, July Fourth, Veterans Day. Veterans of all wars will attend today...many in wheelchairs because their gallantry occurred many years ago and age has taken its toll. Some will be in wheelchairs or on crutches because their bravery was tested at the cost of arms and legs. But all wearing their campaign ribbons and service medals. Their faces will be somber, their eyes reflecting men and women who have seen too much horror, endured too much pain. Most of all, they'll carry mantles of dignity and pride because they gave their all when their country needed them most. Today, they sit or stand in quiet humility, but their hearts swell with pride in their service and love of their country. This scene will be repeated across our land today. And many, many of us will feel gratitude that America produced such valiant men and women. We will offer up prayerful hope that these heroes did not sacrifice in vain. We pray that, when needed, America can still find dedicated warriors to serve a just cause.
In the town where I now live, Nature is bombarding us with cold rain and wind. But the town's Veterans' Day Parade will go on. People will line the streets, wrapped in parkas and raincoats, waving American Flags.
In the town where I now live, Nature is bombarding us with cold rain and wind. But the town's Veterans' Day Parade will go on. People will line the streets, wrapped in parkas and raincoats, waving American Flags.
Because we care. Thank God, Americans still care.
_______________________________________
On this day, I pause to remember all that have served and are still serving....on this day as well as Memorial Day and The 4th of July, I also hold a special place in mind and heart for those who served but no longer walk among us....be it from giving their all in defense of our great Nation or because age has claimed so many more.
Also on this Day, I remember being able to fulfill a lifelong dream of going to exactly where a lot of the battles leading up to Armistice Day took place; Verdun, Belleau Wood, Chateau Thierry....I spent a night in Verdun, just outside City Center, another night in Chateau Theirry overlooking the River Marne; I walked along the River Saar which was in Germany at the time of The Great War. Walking the streets of Verdun the remnants of shellfire was still evident on many buildings....makes one wonder how survival was possible for any human being, let alone the gallant fighting men of the allies and Germany. All the Memorials, cemeteries and still visible trench works are a testimonial to all the fighting men who valued Freedom over tyranny.
As I climbed the tower in the Ossiuary by Verdun, with all the bones inside the 'basement' of that huge, impressive Memorial....I could almost hear the voices of the fallen lying all together, friend and foe alike...intermingled for eternity....cry out to do anything and everything possible so that the carnage not be repeated. I heard the same voices calling out at the 'Bayonet Trench' where so many French soldiers were buried alive, still with rifles in hand, by horrendous shellfire. The voices that called out from Fort Douamont and Fort Vaux, strong points defending Verdun carried the same message. Does anyone hear these voices? Does anyone care what these men went through for over 4 years other than real Patriots and Veterans? It seems that, no, no one listens...there will always be someone with a grudge...real or perceived...willing to sacrifice men's lives to gain what? Nothing.
I guess the point of all this is, we cannot allow any force...foreign or domestic...to infringe our freedoms; there will, thank God, always be men and women who are willing to insure that the many will be protected...sadly, by the Few. After all the years that have passed since 11Nov18, our world has endured another World War, the Vietnam War that ravaged that Nation from '45 to '75, the war in Korea, that is still not ended...only a cease-fire exists; will it resume again? Quite possibly given the circumstances of our Nation at this time. The ongoing war to defend our Freedoms and way of life here and now in America....I'm reminded of the line from the movie "A Few Good Men".....upon being charged with complicity in the death of two Marines, Colonel Jessup told the defense attorney..."all you've done here is weaken a Nation". Right or wrong is not the point....sacrifices always have to be made to ensure Freedoms; the USA, as a whole, know nothing of these sacrifices...only the Veterans who have seen 'The Dragon', felt the earth tremble from 'The Elephant' and said goodbye to close friends and Warriors after a firefight.
Think about it and Remember the Fallen.
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