Thank-You

     Today in the United States of America is a national holiday.  It's not the kind of holiday filled with plastic yard ornaments, lights, candy or gift giving.  Most schools are not in session, banks are closed and the government offices have a day off too.  Many children are sleeping in, probably dreaming of spending the rest of the day playing video games.  Many adults have an extra day of holiday shopping, with scores of sales being offered by the retailers who have chosen to stay open.

     Today is Veterans Day.  A day set aside to honor, remember and give thanks to those who have served and are serving in our military.  Those who have put their lives on the line for our freedom and those who have paid the ultimate price.

     I would like to say thank-you to all the veterans, present and past.  

      Thank-you for giving us the opportunity to live in a country where we can worship whom we choose, without having to be afraid.  

     Thank-you for allowing us to be able to wear our hair in any color or style that we choose and that goes for our clothes too.

     Thank-you for giving us the opportunity to drive a vehicle and all the wonderful makes and models to choose from.  Thank-you too, for being able to drive that vehicle from sea to shining sea without fear of border stops.

     Thank-you for defending our rights to speak out, for our voices to be heard when others would have us be silent.

     Thank-you for allowing us to follow the dreams of our youth.

     Thank-you for allowing our youth to go to school.

     Thank-you for defending our right to bear arms.  I do not own a gun, but someday I might want to, and again, I thank you.

     Mostly, thank-you for the freedoms this great country has to offer.  There are far more people who have lost their lives trying to get here than those who want to leave.

     This is just a simple list of thank-you's, things most of us have grown up with and take for granted.  Take any one of the freedoms I have mentioned away and think about how life would be.

     If you're a man, be thankful for those who have served.  If you're a woman, be thankful twice.