Thought for Friday, Nov 9, 2007

Golden Oldie

It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the flag.

Father Dennis Edward O'Brian, USMC

**************

American Forces Press Service

This Veterans Day we pause to honor and thank our veterans, past
and present those who have served and those who are serving today
around the world advancing freedom and the cause of liberty.

Since the colonial Minutemen first stood shoulder-to-shoulder,
countless Americans have answered our Nation's call to serve and
defend liberty. They are true heroes. In the past century alone,
they fixed bayonets at the Battle of the Marne, they stormed the
beaches at Normandy and Omaha, assaulted Heartbreak Ridge,
patrolled the Ia Drang Valley and stared down our adversaries on
the plains of Europe. They stood as shining examples of ordinary
citizens doing the extraordinary to defend a grateful Nation.

Like those who wore the uniform before them, today's Armed Forces
continue this proud legacy. At this very moment, American Service
men and women Active and Reserve from every walk of life and
from every ethnic, religious and racial background, serve in harm's
way. From the mountains in Afghanistan to the sands of Iraq, from
the jungles of Colombia to the shores of the Philippines, they are
giving hope to millions that liberty, justice and a lasting peace
are within their reach.

Today, the proud men and women of our Armed Forces are once again
engaged in a global struggle against those who threaten our way of
life. At every turn, they demonstrate our firm resolve and serve
notice to terrorists that we will succeed. We are proud of their
commitment, dedication and accomplishments.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff and I thank our veterans for their
selfless service and for ensuring the continued security of our
Nation.

May God bless you and God bless America.

Richard B. Myers, Gen., USAF
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff