To You Who Answered The Call

The month of November holds two dates upon which this nation should focus our collective hearts and minds upon giving thanks. We celebrate Thanksgiving, a date to remember those things for which we are most grateful - family, country, freedom and God. And we observe Veterans Day, a date to remember why we are able to freely cling to those things for which we are most grateful.

Veterans Day is intended to honor ALL American veterans, both living and dead. It is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their dedicated service to their country, while Memorial Day is set aside to remember those who have fallen. In 1938, November 11th was approved as a legal holiday and "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace.” Initially, Armistice Day was intended to honor only those Veterans who served in WWI, but a campaign was launched in 1953 to change Armistice Day to “All Veterans Day.” President Eisenhower signed a Bill, Congress amended the Act in November of 1954 and Armistice Day officially became Veterans Day.

Through times of war and times of all-too-fleeting peace, our Veterans have always symbolized our nation as pillars of dignity, pride, steadfastness, honor and respect. Throughout our nation, there will be parades and ceremonies to honor those most deserving local Veterans, living and dead, who served in our armed forces. But this grateful nation can never thank them enough for their willingness to put themselves in harms way, to protect our liberties and preserve our freedom.

"To you who answered the call of your country and served in its Armed Forces to bring about the total defeat of the enemy, I extend heartfelt thanks of a grateful Nation. As one of the Nation's finest, you undertook the most severe task one can be called upon to perform. Because you demonstrated the fortitude, resourcefulness and calm judgment necessary to carry out that task, we now look to you for leadership and example in further exalting our country in peace. " Harry S. Truman, President (To those who served honorably in WWII)

It is the VETERAN, not the DEMOCRAT
who insures the health of this nation

It is the VETERAN, not the COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
who has given us the freedom to assemble

It is the VETERAN, not the ACLU
who has given us freedom of speech

It is the VETERAN, not the CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST
who has fought for our right to vote

It is the VETERAN not the LAWYER
who has secured the Blessings of our Liberty

It is the VETERAN, not the SOCIALIST
who has battled for American prosperity

It is the VETERAN not the CAMPAIGNER
who fought and died for CHANGE

It is the VETERAN not the POLITICIAN
who delivers us HOPE

Let us never forget that each day there are men and women who are still being called to duty and needing to be in our prayers. Veterans Day should first and foremost be a day to remember, revere and honor all living American soldiers. But in lieu of the recent tragedy at Fort Hood and those soldiers whom we have lost in the past few weeks, I am asking you to allow me to carry your thoughts, for just 5 minutes within this video, to those soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice within just these few days leading up to this Veterans Day. Please remember those who serve - those who sacrifice - and those who are called to duty - on this day - and everyday. And as we celebrate the upcoming holiday season, may we remember to give thanks to each and every Veteran for answering that call.

In memory of: Sgt Cesar Ruiz, Cpl Cody Stanley, Pfc Brian Bates, Spc Robert Charlton, Sgt Fernando Delarosa, Sgt Luis Gonzalez, Sgt Dale Griffin, Sgt Issac Jackson, Spc Jared Stanker, Pfc Christopher Walz, Sgt Patrick Williamson, Sgt Keith Bishop, Cpl Gregory Fleury, Sgt Josue Hernandez Chavez, Capt Eric Jones, CWO Niall Lyons, Sgt Shawn McNabb, Sgt David Metzger, Capt David Mitchell, CWO Michael Montgomery, Spc Nikolas Mueller, Capt Kyle Van De Giesen, Spc Brandon Steffey, Sgt Eduviges Wolf, Pfc Devin Michel, Pfc Kimble Han, Spc Eric Lembke, Spc Kyle Coumas, Cpl David Baker, Spc Michael Dahl, Spc Anthony Green, Sgt Christopher Rudzinski, Sgt Christopher Staats, Spc Jesus Flores, Spc Daniel Lawson, Sgt Glenn Stivison, Pfc Brandon Styer, Spc Joseph Gallegos, Spc Christopher Cooper, Pfc Lukas Hopper, Spc Adrian Avila, Maj David Audo, Sgt Bradley Espinoza, Pfc Daniel Rivera and Spc Jonathon Sylvestre

Please pray for those who are fighting for our freedom -
And never forget those who have died to preserve it.