REMEMBER MEMORIAL DAY AND THOSE THAT HAVE OR ARE SERVING

REACH OUT TO OUR VETERANS AND SERVICEMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY

I spent quite some time last night going through You Tube videos that people have put together to honor and pay respect to all those that have servered our great country and fought for our freedom. Our Red, White and Blue Stars and Stripes Flag has survived 200 years and it's still flying.

I have nothing but respect for all those here, those currently protecting our freedoms, and those we've lost. I also have much admiration for the wives, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and children that have been soldiers for their loved ones as they've gone off to war.

Saying "Goodbye" and praying they will return is one of the hardest things I think they have to do. I believe that at times there are simple things that help make veterans and families feel appreciated and respected and cared for.

About a year and a half ago, I decided to take it upon myself to always greet anyone I see in Uniform and thank them for their service to our country by defending our freedom.

I took that a step further and decided that there were some soldiers out there that came home at a time of turmoil and chaos along with protesting and rioting in the streets on our own U.S. Soil. There were NO welcome homes, no parades, only threats and yelling and spitting at them. Those very special soldiers came back from Vietnam to be shown absolutely NO RESPECT or HONOR and then to be told later, I don't know what you think you want, you weren't a hero, you weren't even fighting in a WAR. It was Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll in the Streets. That was something the returning veterans of Vietnam never expected.

Back then my heart went out to them for many reasons. Some had no choice but to go because the only way out of not serving in Vietnam was to be able to afford a four year University Education. The other option was leaving the country which some did. I always and still do think it was unjust that if you had the money for the education you were free and if you didn't you had to serve.

For the last few years or so, as I've been about my travels, I've always payed close attention to what type of hats people are wearing. It's very easy to spot a Vietnam Veterans hat, and I always walk up to them, look them in their eyes, reach out and shake their hands and say "Welcome Back to the United States Soldier. I'd like to thank you for your service to our Country." I was astonished at the responses I got from the Veterans. They were estatic and some of them would take the time to share some of their Vietnam stories with me, but mostly I could always see some kind of a tear or tears welling up in their eyes and a great big smile on their faces. They each have thanked me for welcoming them home and encouraged me to please continue welcoming Vietnam Veterans home, as so many of them need to hear those words.

I have truly been honored and blessed as I have reached out to the Service men and women that have crossed my path.

It is my wish for Memorial Day that each of you that don't have a service man or woman from your family to share Memorial Day with take the time to do one simple solitary thing. Keep your eyes opened for military personnel, and say hello and thank them for their service to our Country. If you don't have that opportunity, then take 5 minutes to call your local V.A. hospital and ask them if you could talk to one of their patients to let them know someone out there is thinking of them on Memorial Day. Last but not least, if you live near a cemetary, take a walk and put a flower on a soldiers grave.

In the time it takes some of you to pop the top off a beer or soda and drink it, you could make one veteran or soldiers life just a little happier.

I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN AND EVEN PROUDER OF OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN THAT KEEP OUR COUNTRY SAFE AND FREE AND I'M NOT AFRAID TO SHOW IT.

I hope that as everyone is out and about over this long Memorial Day weekend that you stay safe and have a nice time. Till Next Time! ! !