Standing in awe, in the presence of giants…

Morgan Styke, 5, stands in a formation with her dad, Sgt. Jeremy Charlet, at a dismissal ceremony for his NG unit Monday at the Civic Center in New Ulm, Minn. The New Ulm-based 125th Field Artillary HQ and HQ Battery unit returned home after 22 months of active duty.
john Cross, Mankato (Minn.) Free Press, via AP
To all those who have served in our Armed Forces and to all those currently serving, a heartfelt

REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi
A former fetus, the “wordsmith from nantucket” was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1968. Adopted at birth, wordsmith grew up a military brat. He achieved his B.A. in English from the University of California, Los Angeles (graduating in the top 97% of his class), where he also competed rings for the UCLA mens gymnastics team. The events of 9/11 woke him from his political slumber and malaise. Currently a personal trainer and gymnastics coach.
The wordsmith has never been to Nantucket.
Say a prayer for our troops overseas!
God Bless ALL our TROOPS no matter where they are!
Happy Veterans Day Gentlemen
@james (US Navy – VS-38 Red Griffins):
Right back at you, brown shoe.
A thank you seems such a small thing for all that has been done for us. Our Veterans have served this country, protected our allies and given freedom to countless people around the world. All, at great personal cost, sacrifice and their own freedoms sacrificed when signing on.
You are all to be honored and I hope know how proud and appreciative we are of our Veterans and the outstanding men and women presently serving! My very humble thanks to everyone of you!
Neptunus Lex posted a wonderful essay in honor of our Veterans:
http://www.neptunuslex.com/2009/11/11/veterans-day-3/
Welcome home brothers
http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae277/RAPH6969/VETSDAY06.jpg
Thank you for your service
@tfhr
lol… haven’t heard that in a while… you can add Trusty Shellback to that as well. My niece is thinking about entering the Navy when she graduates high school. I informed her that being stationed with a squadron in the Navy is much better than being assigned to a ship. Less deployments and you don’t have to live on the ship. My squadron was assigned to the USS Ranger and I did two West Pacs with her. Being on the flight deck 12 hours was no fun but now I find that I kind of miss it. I would love to do one more West Pac – minus working the flight deck.
You guys may think that Liberals do not support our troops but you are wrong. I loved serving in the Navy and I certainly support all that put on the uniform. I didn’t join for patriotic reasons. I needed money for college. But once I was there and had the opportunity to travel the globe, you really get an understanding of what a great country we live in. I was proud to wear the uniform. Those years changed my life. I’ve visited over 20 countries, lived in every region of the United States and even befriended a racist from Louisiana who changed his perspective after having to bunk with me for two years and I actually learned to like him as well.
Yes, there were the bar fights in Olongapo (Philippines) and Falon, Nevada. Not to mention the parties in Tijuana. But there was the aviation electronics training, the excitement of watching Tomcats take off on the flight deck and the opportunity it gave me to grow into a man. I graduated from college without owing a penny in student loans. I recall moving to Philadelphia and meeting a guy at a coffee shop who offered me job on the basis that I was a military man.
So despite my political rants, I’m grateful for the time I served and what it has meant for my life. I may not wave big flags or sport a lapel pin flag, but I’d die for my country. In Chicago there is a large black population that talks about going back to the motherland and forming a country for black people. You’ll never see me down with something like that. You don’t know how much of an American you are until you leave these shores. I’m an American and proud of it… That proclamation may surprise some of you but indeed this… very Liberal, very much President Obama supporter is also a proud Veteran and 100% American.
This is the stuff of which Americans are made. A genuine hero and a man I’m proud to say I knew.
http://deathby1000papercuts.blogspot.com/2008/01/rip-bill-blackwood-inventor-pearl.html
yes, THANK YOU!
@ james (US Navy – VS-38 Red Griffins)
Thanks for serving James. A very good friend of mine is ex-navy, liberal, Obama supporter. I know for a fact that he and I would fight side by side to defend this country. I don’t believe all liberals are anti-American, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t believe there were a lot that were.
In the Air Force, I flew West Pac missions for 4 years. Loved every minute of it and never had to stand on flight deck. I cried when the closed down the Philippines. 25 cent San Miguels, $5 for Steak and Prawns. Man I loved that place.
Happy Veterans days to all my brothers and sisters, conservative, liberal and everyone in between.
@james (US Navy – VS-38 Red Griffins):
Thank you for your service, James, and putting your life on the line for this great country. Glad you were able to befriend your racist bunkmate, too!