Remembering Our Veterans

Growing up just a few miles from Ft Hood, Texas, this Veterans Day has a very different meaning than most. The despicable terror attack that took the lives of some of America’s best still stings. The heart still aches.

We are blessed in America to have the finest military on earth. A military made up of brave men and women who voluntarily choose to serve our nation, to keep us free. These brave men and women put their lives on the line at home and abroad to keep liberty and freedom secure.

Since the very beginning of this nation, our fighting forces have been a symbol for the freedoms we enjoy. They have always been a force for good. Over the years, our forces have confronted great evil, and prevailed. They have fought wars against oppression, against tyranny. 100's of millions worldwide have been liberated because of the sweat and blood of the American G.I.

Many have given the last full measure of devotion in service to us. These are debts that we can never repay. The sacrifice and devotion our bravest give to the nation should never be taken for granted. We must honor our bravest every day. We must thank every soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine that we meet. We must let them know how greatly they are appreciated, not just today, but every day.

Sarah Palin offers her message of tribute to our veterans:

In Honor of Those Who Sacrificed for Our Freedom

In most of our cities and towns, you’ll see memorials to brave Americans – some in uniforms of wars from long ago – who defended freedom. If you look down at their inscriptions, you’ll see that they were dedicated by the mothers, fathers, wives and orphans of the veterans who gave all for their country. In distant lands across the globe, you’ll find silent fields of white markers with the names of Americans who never came home, but who showed their dedication to their country by where they died. Today we honor those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as those who served and came home forever changed by the battlefield.

Remember all the veterans who fought and sacrificed for our freedom today, and then please take the time to thank our brave men and women currently serving in uniform. We owe them so much.

- Sarah Palin

There are many, many charities and organizations that support our troops. One I would like to highlight is AnySoldier.com. This is a wonderful group. It allows you to send items to members of our armed forces, even if you don’t personally have someone serving.



I was struck by a message the other day from one of our brave men. He had a simple request that folks send baby wipes. As you know, in the field, troops can go days without a proper shower. These moistened wipes help them stay at least somewhat refreshed. It’s the simple things that we take for granted that our troops need the most.

As we remember our bravest, take a trip over to AnySoldier.com and help out.

"We Could Not Forget Them": A Tribute to Our Troops- A Post by Conservative Girl with a Voice

Today is the day that we honor and remember all the veterans who have served this great country. While November 11th is a national holiday of remembrance and thanks, we should frequently take the time to honor our veterans, for without them, America would not be the strong country she is today. Like you, I have an intense love and deep appreciation for our men and women in uniform. I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult it must be to have to pack up and ship out, leaving your family and friends for an extended amount of time. Many return and some do not. I always wonder what these men and women must be thinking as they travel to where they will be stationed. There is no doubt they think about there families and loved ones back home. Our military men and women do so much for us, this is why it is important that we do everything in our power to support and honor them. They are the reason why we are free! They are the reason why we have the freedoms and liberties we do! They are the reason why we are able stand up and speak out. Say a message of thanks. Give them a hug. Tell them how much their service means. Fly and wave your flag proudly. These brave men and women are the TRUE HEROES among us. Let us honor them not only today, but everyday!


Below are Veterans Day messages from two of my role models: Ronald Reagan and Sarah Palin. Their words correctly explain what so many of us feel:


REMARKS BY PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN VETERANS DAY NATIONAL CEREMONY

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia

November 11, 1988

PRESIDENT REAGAN: Those who live today remember those who do not. Those who know freedom remember today those who gave up life for freedom.

Today, in honor of the dead, we conduct ceremonies. We lay wreaths. We speak words of tribute. And in our memories, in our hearts, we hold them close to us still. Yet we also know, even as their families knew when they last looked upon them, that they can never be fully ours again, that they belong now to God and to that for which they so selflessly made a final and eternal act of devotion.

We could not forget them. Even if they were not our own, we could not forget them. For all time, they are what we can only aspire to be: giving, unselfish, the epitome of human love -- to lay down one's life so that others might live.We think on their lives. We think on their final moments. In our mind's eye, we see young Americans in a European forest or on an Asian island or at sea or in aerial combat.

And as life expired, we know that those who could had last thoughts of us and of their love for us. As they thought of us then, so, too, we think of them now, with love, with devotion, and with faith: the certainty that what they died for was worthy of their sacrifice -- faith, too, in God and in the Nation that has pledged itself to His work and to the dream of human freedom, and a nation, too, that today and always pledges itself to their eternal memory.

Thank you. God bless you.


A Note of Thanks from Sarah Palin:

IN HONOR OF THOSE WHO SACRIFICED FOR OUR FREEDOM

In most of our cities and towns, you'll see memorials to brave Americans - some in uniforms of wars from long ago - who defended freedom. If you look down at their inscriptions, you'll see that they were dedicated by the mothers, fathers, wives and orphans of the veterans who gave all for their country. In distant lands across the globe, you'll find silent fields of white markers with the names of Americans who never came home, but who showed their dedication to their country by where they died. Today we honor those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as those who served and came home forever changed by the battlefield.

Remember all the veterans who fought and sacrificed for our freedom today, and then please take the time to thank our brave men and women currently serving in uniform. We owe them so much.

- Sarah Palin


(I'm a Conservative Girl with a Voice!!! Visit my blog and become a follower: conservativegirlwithavoice. Follow me on Twitter: @rachellefriberg.)

Giving Back: A Post by Conservative Girl with a Voice

Our veterans deserve the best America has to offer for all the sacrifices they have made in serving our great country. When I heard Sarah was going to be a part of a benefit auction on eBay to aid wounded veterans, I was so excited because I knew this charity would greatly benefit from Sarah's star power. I am so happy that a great woman, Cathy Maples, from Huntsville, Alabama, won the chance to have dinner with Sarah and Todd with a winning bid of $63,500.





As a great supporter of our men and women in uniform, as well as an ardent supporter of Sarah, there is no doubt in my mind that Cathy is going to get to experience the chance of a lifetime in meeting Sarah. As I was watching the news (Fox News Channel) this morning and drinking a cup of coffee, I was thinking about what an awesome experience Cathy would have in meeting Sarah when I saw a story that truly touched my heart. It is stories like the one I am about to describe that makes me truly thankful to be living in a country where so many great individuals and organizations do so much for our great men and women in uniform. It is this story, fellow readers, that inspired today's random thought post.





The inspiring Fox New's story focused on the outstanding work of The Lakeshore Foundation, a non profit organization that serves people with disabilities. The foundation's motto is: "healthy, active, independent." According to the foundation's website, Lakeshore serves more than 3000 people with physical disabilities each year. The individuals they help range in age- from six months to those in their 90's. According to the Foundation's website:

"Lakeshore meets their critical needs for access to exercise and recreation opportunities--needs that can't be met elsewhere. We are setting a standard in this country and changing the perception of people with disabilities."

Not only does the foundation allow disabled individuals the chance to experience many of the things we may take for granted, it also allows them to experience the fun with their families.





This weekend, the foundation has invited 30 injured veterans and their families to take part in activities they normally otherwise would not be able to partake in part of what the foundation calls "Operation Rise and Conquer." Think of your own life- think of all the outdoor activities you do without so much as a thought. Now, think about how hard participating in these same activities would be for an injured veteran. This puts life into perspective, doesn't it?





This weekend, brave men and women from across the country, who have given and sacrificed so much, are finally going to be able to experience the joys many of us get to experience on a daily basis. For injured veteran Orlando Pettis, this means the world:

"It (waterskiing) was amazing! Just to know that I'm able to do stuff that other people take for granted that I can do. It's just amazing."





Fox New's Channel's Marianne Silba asked Orlando what being able to participate this weekend means to him as an injured veteran to which he replied:

"Coming here is amazing because it not only brings together the injured military from all across the country, it also brings the family members. It shows us that it's not only competition, it's not only just going and leaving with a disability. We can do this other stuff and have fun with our families and our service members, just get together and be together."

For men and women like Orlando, they will get to participate in amazing activities such as waterskiing, target shooting and archery. This organization adapts these experiences to fit the needs of the veterans. For example, when waterskiing, veterans can sit or stand- how amazing!




For many of the 30 veterans and their families, this may be the first time they have been able to experience sports activities together since being injured; therefore, this weekend will allow them to re-connect with their loved ones, which is crucially important.





There are over 34,000 injured veterans living in America today, and The Lakeshore Foundation will continue to be a service to these brave men and women as they have been to so many since beginning "Operation Rise and Conquer" four years ago. It is so important that we have organizations like The Lakeshore Foundation. Many of us forget the important fact that just because a service member comes home, does not mean that the rough times are over. Our disabled men and women in uniform are so important and need to feel as if they are no different than anyone else just because they are disabled. The Lakeshore Foundation is setting the bar for this and making sure our disabled vets are not forgotten, but instead built up and made to feel that there are no limits, only limitless possibilities.



To learn more about The Lakeshore Foundation or to contribute, visit the foundation's website: http://www.lakeshore.org.




(I'm a Conservative Girl with a Voice!!! Visit my blog and become a follower: http://www.conservativegirlwithavoice.com. I'm on Twitter too @rachellefriberg.)