It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. </ SPAN> It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the VETERAN, not ! the politician, Who has given us the right to vote. It is the VETERAN,  who salutes the Flag, It is the veteran, who serves under the Flag, ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT  SHINE UPON THEM. I don't know if you saw this in the news but it really impressed me.  Funny, our US Senate/House took 2 days off as they couldn't work because of the expected storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported tonight that, because of the dangers from Hurricane Isabelle approaching Washington DC, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930. We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve. God Bless them.

 This is not to take away from the above just to let you know of the comments that do happen.  Bob sent the above to me and to Brit "Pen Pal" .  Here is the comments Bob in blue.  Brit Mickey answered to him.  5/12/05

I have a "Pen Pal" in England who was in the British armed forces, the equivalent of our Marines, but I forget the name. I forget lots of stuff these days! Anyway, Micky and I argue a lot about politics, Bush, Reagan (he calls him "Ronnie Raygun" because of the Star Wars thing back then) Margaret Thatcher who sent him and his "mates" off to those British islands off the coast of Argentina when the "Argents" invaded, etc. When 9/11 happened he was gung-ho about going after the Fucking A-Rabs (there are a lot of Muslims in England) but as of late he's cooled off a lot, as have so many Brits. It's a wonder that Tony Blair got reelected.

 

Anyway, I sent this Veterans thing to him as well, and here is what he had to say.

 

Hi Bob,

 

You will not find me disagreeing with a single word of this.

It is only a pity that my country has so little respect for its' ex-forces personnel

 

 

Regards,

Micky