CHAPTER 11, PAGE 11

A few thoughts this VETERANS DAY 2007

11TH MONTH, 11TH DAY, 11TH HOUR

If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.--Mohandas Gandhi

Let us not use bombs and guns to overcome the world. Let us use love and compassion. Peace begins with a smile--smile five times a day to someone you don't really want to smile at all--do it for peace. So let us radiate the peace of God and so light his light.--Mother Teresa

Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.--Thomas Jefferson

God bless our service men and women,

our veterans and the country they love.

May we always remember.

May we always be proud.

May we always be prepared.

So we may always be free.

GOOD MORNING

Just what is a veteran? I looked it up just to see what they did say

vet·er·an NOUN:

A person who is long experienced or practiced in an activity or capacity: a veteran of political campaigns.

A person who has served in the armed forces:

An old soldier who has seen long service.

ADJECTIVE:

Having had long experience or practice: a veteran actor.

Of or relating to former members of the armed forces: veteran benefits.

I really do know what a veteran is. My Dad was one, my DDH was one and my DS#2 is one.

My Dad was in WWII and was decorated with a Purple Heart for surving his country.

My husband spent time in the service of our country during the Vietnamese War

My #2 son is currently serving his country and is presently far far from home.

No one can imagine what our men and women sacrifice to serve our country. They do the best possible to defend and protect us. Their family life suffers, they are not paid well and they undergo things in the line of duty that most of us would never be able to do.

All three of the men in my life that are or were veterans do or did so because they felt it was their duty. I'm proud to be in a country that is protected by such men as these. No I don't like wars and I pray daily for peace and for our dear Lord to protect and guide our troops.

Here in the US we have a MONDAY holiday tomorrow where government offices and lots of city ones are closed to honor our Vets. You can be assured that our men and women in the service of our country are not all on holiday... they'll be doing their jobs as usual so that we may live in a land that is free of terrorists and where our children can go to bed at night and not have to worry about a bomb falling on them.

God bless our Troops and God bless America

BLESSING FOR THE DAY

Men and women , past and present, who serve our country proudly and wonderfully.

We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count.

Neil A. Maxwell

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

Life is but an empty dream!

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!

And the grave is not its goal;

Dust thou art, to dust returnest,

Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

Is our destined end or way;

But to act, that each tomorrow

Find us farther than today.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,

 And our hearts, though stout and brave,

Still, like muffled drums, are beating

Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,

In the bivouac of life,

Be not like dumb, driven cattle!

Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!

Let the dead Past bury its dead!

Act, act in the living Present!

Heart within, and God o'erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us

we can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of time.

Footprints, that perhaps another,

Sailing o'er life's solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us then be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labor and to wait.

Henry Wadesworth Longfellow

May JOY find your HEART and warm your SOUL.

MA