In a country where a war is going on in a country thousands of miles away, it is, and has seemed very easy to forget about what is going on. We live in a country of freedom. Freedom to speak our minds, freedom to do what we please, and freedom to act out against things we feel are unjust. These freedoms, without a doubt, come at a price. The price is the lives of these fellow men and women pictured above. It seems that almost everyone in our great country has forgotten that this war is still very much going on, even though they don't report on it as much as they used to. This is only because the liberal media finally came to a conclusion that it was a good thing we took on this war, and now they can't find any reasons that we shouldn't be there. (Congrats Bush, I voted for your second term!!!)
Well, let me get to a small story. As tomorrow is Veterans day, I know I for one will be going to donate some money to the veterans. Not because I feel sorry for their sacrifice, or that there are still men and women suffering in the face of war and past wars, but because I want to extend my thank you to them. But anyways, on to the story. If you've ever donated money to the veterans that collect money outside of a Kroger or Meijer, you will know that they give you a mimic poppy flower. I had 2 of them in my old Honda Civic above my visors, and I once was on a date with a girl, that laughed that I had to fake, red flowers above my visors. I asked her why it was so funny that I had them? She replied that a guy that had 2 red flowers in his car was just weird. I asked why it was weird? She just said it was funny to see, because most people have lay's or something like that... I then asked her a very important question... I asked her if she knew what flower that was, or what it represented? She had no idea, which made me again realize how inconsiderate a country founded on freedoms was to forget those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for those freedoms that we are able to have and celebrate. She still had no idea, so when I started to tell her what it stood for, that smile and laugh quickly fell into deep thought. As I slowly went from slightly upset to glad I can educate those that are ignorant. Time for a little history lesson:
In 1921, a group of French widows visited Earl Haig, commander in chief, at the British Legion Headquarters. They had brought with them some poppies that they had made, and suggested selling them as a means of raising money for veterans survived and lost during World War I. The poppy then became the sign for Veterans and were sold as a means for the veterans to raise money to assist veterans that are disabled, etc... In 1918, Moina Michael, an American woman wrote these lines:
We cherish too,
the Poppy red,
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies,
That blood of heroes never dies...
She then adopted the custom of wearing a red poppy in memory of the sacrifices of war and also as a symbol of keeping the faith. Therefore, I ask you not to forget that these men and women are fighting for the freedoms that we have here in the United States of America. Whether you have family, friends, or people that you don't know there, please say a prayer for their safety, and their hopeful return. Also, don't forget to give something to the veterans, and receive your poppy flower. It may not mean much to you, but to the veterans, it means the world. Look at it this way:
"A veteran is someone who, at one point in his/her life wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand that sacrifice...''
Before you forget about this war, take a look at the facts:
1.) Troops in Iraq - Total 152,850, including 146,000 from the US, 4,000 from the UK, 900 from Poland, 650 from South Korea and 1,300 from all other nations.
2.) U.S. Troop Casualties - 4,188 US troops; 98% male. 91% non-officers; 82% active duty, 11% National Guard; 74% Caucasian, 9% African-American, 11% Latino. 19% killed by non-hostile causes. 54% of US casualties were under 25 years old. 72% were from the US Army.
3.) US Troops Wounded - 30,757, 20% of which are serious brain or spinal injuries (total excludes psychological injuries).
4.) US Troops with Serious Mental Health Problems - 30% of US troops develop serious mental health problems within 3 to 4 months of returning home.
I ask again, please don't forget these brave men and women that are heroes of the United States of America. They deserve more respect than we could ever possibly give them. We do not need another Vietnam War return for the troops of today. Whether you believe in the war or the President or not, you should still honor these brave men and women, because of the oath they underwent to fight off all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to obey all orders given by the President of the United States of America, and that is the sacrifice that they gave for us to be able to live in the freedom's here. So remember that, and the next time you see a Veteran, say thank you, shake their hand, or give to their cause, because they deserve it, and you owe it to them. So I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Thank you brave soldiers, and God bless those alive and dead, well and wounded, and fight on! We are the United States of America, and thanks to you, we remain United!
We'll See Ya
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