Veteran's Day 2005

I know I haven't been blogging at the caliber that most of you have come to expect, but for those of you close to me you know that life has been very busy these past 6 months or so. For this I apologize. I don't have the time needed to write anything profound in reflection of this glorious day so I will take a look at last years posts on the subject...

Veterans Day

I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense. (Article 1, Code of Conduct)

Today is Veterans Day. To me it is a day to celebrate and remember the countless men and women who have served this great nation. Of course this includes both those who have served and those who are serving.

Our nation has been blessed with literally millions of people over our 228 years who have chosen to serve this nation and its people.

From the Revolutionary War to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and in our more recent history Airman have laid it all on the line to preserve our freedoms and defend those people who cannot defend themselves.

This nation has been the center of, involved in, or the final solution in numerous world conflicts.

Americans have fought and won wars that reshaped the globe:

The Revolutionary War
The War of 1812
The American Civil War
WW1
WW2
Korea
Vietnam
Granada
Panama
Iraq
Bosnia
Afghanistan
Iraq

While the final result of some of these conflicts is still up in the air and others are hard to call a win, the one thing that is clear is that America's finest fought in these wars/conflicts.

We have also been involved in numerous other actions as well. There is no doubt that The United States has the best-trained, best equipped and most highly motivated military on Earth. It is an essential element in preserving the freedoms that our forefathers fought so hard for.

There are great patriots buried in American cemeteries throughout Europe and there are others still missing in Asia. The one thing that all of these men and women have in common is that they are Veterans. They are a small minority in this country and an elite group of people that chose a life of sacrifice.

I have the greatest respect for anyone who has served or is serving in the U.S. Military. Second only to the pride I have for my children I am most proud to say that I am an Airman.

I come from a family of military patriots. Though it looks like I will be the first to make a career of it most of my family has served in some capacity.

- I have two Great Great (etc.) Grandfathers that fought in the Civil War.

- My Grandfather, PFC (E-2) Robert C. Slagle was an infantryman in the Marine Corps during Korea.

- My Father, Sgt (E-4) Robert D. Slagle was a Security Policeman in the Air Force during Vietnam.

- My Uncle, Sgt (E-4) Carl M. Slagle was a Med Tech and Services Troop in the Air Force in the 80's.

- My Uncle, SSG (E-4 acting E-5) Lambertus J. Meyer was a Transportation Specialist in the Army During Vietnam.

- I am a SSgt (E-5 selected for promotion to E-6/Technical Sergeant) Combat Arms Instructor within the Security Forces career field. I have made multiple trips to the Middle East and proudly deployed during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

I also have cousins that have served in various branches of the U.S. Military. Needless to say it was in my blood.

I will serve this country and the USAF as long as they both will have me. My goal is to one-day rise to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant (E-9).

So, today on this Veterans Day, I stand at attention and salute all veterans, those before me, those I serve along side and those I am proud to have in my family.

Remember, honor and cherish these brave patriots.

I'll leave you with the Code of Conduct of the U.S. military:

ARTICLE I:
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

ARTICLE II:
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

ARTICLE III:
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

ARTICLE IV:
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them in every way.

ARTICLE V:
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country or its allies or harmful to their cause.

ARTICLE VI:
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free

I will trust in my God and in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

SlagleRock Out!

Note: Since today is Veterans Day please click on my milblogs link and visit the sites of some other great veterans.

Happy Vets Day, Dad, B (Guest Blogging at Mama's), Matt, Bill, Bill, Jerrod, Greyhawk and the list goes on and on.

Another View of Veterans Day

This is a direct reprint from Mr. Daniels website, Charlie Daniels.com. It comes from his "Soapbox".

November 12, 2004

Honorable

On Veteran’s Day I was in Washington DC and paid a visit to the Vietnam Memorial and the World War II Monument.

There was a ceremony going on at the Vietnam Memorial while we were there and as we walked into the crowd it was apparent that there were many Vietnam Veterans who had come to pay tribute to their fallen brothers.

They came in bits and pieces of uniforms or vests with their outfits blazoned across the shoulders. Some had worn a few medals and other accoutrements of past military service.

To stand shoulder to shoulder with these men as they solemnly
listened to the speeches being offered in homage to those who fell in the jungles of Southeast Asia, there was a kinship as far as being Americans was concerned but those of us who didn’t experience Vietnam will forever be outsiders.

If you haven’t been there and done that you can’t imagine the horror these brave eyes have beheld and the memories that only they can share in.

That long black wall seems to mean something really special to these men and only they know what it is.

Then we went down to the World War II Monument, which honors all branches of servicemen and women who fell in all the theaters of World War II.

It too, was a touching scene, aged old gentlemen being photographed by their grandchildren in front of some part of the monument, which was meaningful to them. Elderly couples strolling around the grounds stopping to examine some bit of stone, which represents something special to them.

There were wreaths of flowers and pictures and notes stuck around the monuments left there by some loved one, commemorating and honoring the memory of some husband or son who paid the ultimate price in defense of our country.

All in all it was a touching scene watching two generations of veterans from two totally different kind of wars coming together to remember and honor the hundreds of thousands
of their comrades who gave their lives for freedom.

And Veteran’s Day is not just about World War II and the Vietnam War. It’s about the Korean War, the Revolutionary War, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and every
act of hostility against the United States of America, which have been defended by those who served.

I’m glad that America takes a day every year to honor our heroes in uniform, but the amount of gratitude we owe them cannot be fulfilled in one day or three hundred and sixty five days for that matter.

When you put your babies to bed tonight say a prayer of thanks and protection for our military, when you drive to work tomorrow morning thank God that this is a free country, we go where we want and do what we want. Thanks to a victorious military.

When you attend church Sunday or go to the high school football game Friday night, or watch your children playing in the back yard, when you go to bed tonight without fear of being rousted out and arrested in the middle of the night.

When you do all these mundane things, remember that they are not mundane to so many in the world.

These are the gifts of a free country, free by the grace of God and protected by a strong and dedicated military.

God bless our sons and daughters who wear the uniform of America. We can never repay you for all you do.

Pray for our troops.

What do you think?

God Bless America

Charlie Daniels

Once again, Charlie hits the nail on the head.

Thank you Mr. Daniels.

While all of these are great points and worth the read, the bottom line here is to remember America's heroes. Politics, Religion, personal beliefs aside, remember our heroes for their courage, sacrifice and drive to protect our freedoms, and label not these patriots for following the orders of this great nation.

Check out the tributes posted by these other great bloggers:
Emperor Misha I, stay tuned more to follow...

lagleRock Out!