2005 Veterans Day Message From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

American Forces Press Service ^ | Nov 9, 2005

[SandRat]

This Veterans Day we honor those men and women who have defended our nation in the Armed Forces. Today is an opportunity for Americans to recognize the tremendous accomplishments and proud heritage of all who have worn the uniform of the United States military. In our short history, tens of millions of Americans have served in uniform - and many have made the ultimate sacrifice in order to preserve the freedoms enjoyed by the people of the United States. Veterans have served with distinction to protect the founding ideals of this Nation and to extend those same ideals to those oppressed by tyranny.

In the ongoing war on terrorism, you have carried forth that same legacy of selfless devotion to duty. American servicemen and women advance the cause of liberty every day while standing guard against those who would threaten it. America is rightfully proud of her soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and Merchant Marines.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff join me in thanking all veterans and their families for the sacrifices you have made in defending freedom and ensuring the continued security of the Nation.

Gen. Peter Pace, USMC Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

[SF Republican]

And Happy Birthday Marines - Nov 10th - ooooraaaaaa

[kimosabe31]

If only our politicians shared the same devotion to duty as our blessed armed forces, it would be a much happier world.

[Zacs Mom]

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 
 

A protest raged on a courthouse lawn,
round a makeshift stage they charged on.
 

Fifteen hundred or more they say,
had come to burn the Flag that day.
 

A boy held up the folded Flag,
cursed it and called it a dirty rag.
 

An OLD MAN pushed through the angry crowd,
With a rusty shotgun shouldered proud.
 

His uniform jacket was old and tight,
he had polished each button, shiny and bright.
 

He crossed the stage with military grace,
until he and the boy stood face to face.
 
 

"FREEDOM OF SPEECH", the OLD MAN said,
"Is worth dying for, good men are dead,
 

So you can stand on this courthouse lawn,
  And talk us down from dusk to dawn,
 

 But before any Flag gets burned today,
 This OLD MAN IS GOING TO HAVE HIS SAY!!
 
 

My father died on a foreign shore,
In a war they said would end all war.
 

But Tommy and I wasn't even full grown,
Before we fought in a war of our own.
 

And Tommy died on Iwo Jima's beach,
In the shadow of a hill he couldn't quite reach
 

Where six good men raised this Flag so high,
That the WHOLE DAMN WORLD COULD SEE IT FLY.
 
 

 
 

I got this bum leg that I still drag,
Fighting for this same old Flag.
 

Now there's but one shot in this old gun,
So now it's time to decide which one,
 

Which one of you will follow our lead,
To STAND AND DIE FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE?
 

For as sure as there is a rising sun,
You'll burn in Hell 'fore this Flag burns, son
 
 

Now this riot never came to pass
The crowd got quiet and that can of gas,
 

Got set aside as they walked away
To talk about what they had heard this day.
 

And the boy who had called it a "dirty rag",
Handed the OLD SOLDIER the folded Flag.
 
 

 
 

 So the battle of the Flag this day was won
By a tired OLD SOLDIER with a rusty gun,
 

Who for one last time, had to show to some,
 

 

 
 

[kas2591]

230 years of tradition unhampered by progress.
Semper Fi.