My Poppy, and my uncle, and my great-uncles, and my cousin's husband (who has Gulf War Syndrome, or as the VA calls it, Parkinson's Disease). Along with some others.

I should honor both my GGP, who fought for the Union in the 'War, Civil'.

I will be thinking of one veteran in particular this weekend. My uncle was a Marine in the Korean War, and he was just sent home to die. He suffered a massive stroke Friday. He may not make it to Monday.

My father. He fought in Vietnam. He died a few years ago, after a stroke. The awful thing about it was that the VA hospital wouldn't accept him. I think its ridiculous when someone who has fought from our country can't even get help from it when they are ill. *I apologize for my outburst*

Peace to our troops in Iraq of course, but remember not that they made a choice and were not conscripted as my GGP and a great deal of people up until Korea were.

I don't have a veteran of my own, so I will think of Pasobrio's beloved.

I sure will be. Marine Corprol Jermey J. Harris, the love of my life and father to my sons, who passed on January 12, 2007. A proud veteran of Operation Haitian Freedom and Protect Haitian Democracy. I will also be remembering my Uncle, Terry Digman. He was a mechanic in the Army during Veitnam. I will also be thinking about a friend of the family, Marine Lance Corprol Jason Sponseller, who is now serving in Iraq as a aviation mechanic. Last, but not least, all those Men and Women who gave a peice of themselves to server their country. Some Gave All ~ Billy Ray Cyrus ~ I knew a man, called him Sandy Cane. Few folks even knew his name. But a hero, yes was he. Left a boy, came back a man. Still many just don't understand about the reasons we are free. I can't forget the look in his eyes or the tears he cried, as he said these words to me. All gave some and some gave all. Some stood through for the red, white and blue, and some had to fall. And if you ever think of me, think of all your liberties, and recall, some gave all. Now, Sandy Cane is no longer here. But his words are oh so clear as they echo throughout our land. and all his friends who gave us all, who stood the ground and took the fall to help their fellow man. Love your country and live with pride and don't forget those who died. America, can't you see All gave some and some gave all. Some stood through for the red, white and blue, and some had to fall. And if you ever think of me, think of all your liberties, and recall, some gave all. And if you ever think of me think of all your liberties, and recall, yes recall Some gave all. Some gave all. Semper Fidelis.

All of them.

All of them but a few with more sadness.

My great-uncle Samuel Herbert Gertsch served in WWII as a navy corpsmen attached to a marine unit in the Pacific. He was part of the third wave to hit the beach and was wounded on Iwo Jima after 13 days on the island and later served as part of the occupation force in Japan. My father served as a marine in the Korean conflict and my son is currently serving in Iraq. But, all deserve to be honored for their service; their willingness to lay their lives on the line so we can live ours in peace.

My friend Tim. He was a Vietnam veteran who was paralyzed in an accident at 19 years of age, and returned from Vietnam -- wheelchair bound for the rest of his life. He died about three years ago. He would have turned 60 this year. He was very special to me and to many in our community.

No. I do not value any sailor/soldier, past or present, over any other. Not even myself.

I think of my Father first always. He and his friends, kept a lot of folks from having to learn German in WWII. They may not have saved France fast enough for some. Or not stopped the Holocaust in time to save enough Jews. Or kept London from being bombed. But I'm DAMNED proud to be his son! But my heart goes out to ALL who have served and are still serving especially!

I will think of all of them but those that are family are; my Father,3 Uncles,3 Cousins,and a Grandson!

Oops.

My uncle died in Vietnam, and my Grandfather was in WWII. I have more relatives who were in the Armed forces, also, I'm just not sure who all, or what wars they were in. My Cousin is this guy... http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/50heroes/SD.html

My late father, an Air Corps veteran of WWII. And my maternal grandfather, an Infantry veteran with the 2nd ID in WWI, who got his US citizenship by volunteering and serving. My mom says that after Germany invaded his native Poland he'd grumble about how we'd have to fight "those sonofabitches" again.

My Dad and his 3 brothers. They all left the dry land cotton farm they grew up on and went to the county seat to sign up for the Army Air Corp, seemed a way to bring in some cash for the 3 sisters, Mom and Pop back on the farm. It was December 5th 1941. Next thing they know they are being sent to places in the US they only heard about at school. Just about the time those dumb ol' country boys got used to that, they are flying over places they never even heard of. The thing that bothered my Dad the most, or so he said, was that he didn't know the dumb ol' country boys in those places, or even what dumb ol' country they were in, and they didn't know him or where he was from, but they just kept on shootin' at him.

My maternal Grandfather. He was in the signal corps during WWII in the Pacific theater and was an adjunct to an important general.