I hope the elections went the way you wanted them too – more importantly I hope you voted.  One of the first questions I ask people who start to talk about politics is whether or not they voted.  If the answer is not, I suggest they have nothing to complain about.

This Tuesday we will be celebrating Veteran’s Day.  It is a day Americans set aside to honor those of us who have spent time defending this great country.  I come from a very patriotic family – a military family.  In my office, I have two picture frames with two pictures in each.  In one I have a picture of my dad when he graduated from Army boot camp (Army Air Corps to be exact).  The other frame has a picture of my mom when she graduated nursing school.  She joined the Army soon after and spent several years serving – including a few years in the 8063rd MASH in Korea.  Of the seven of us siblings, six of us have worn one uniform or another.  My brothers; Tom, Mike, and Chris followed dad into the Air Force, my sisters; Linda and Susan, followed mom as Army nurses.  I have always been ‘different” I joined the Coast Guard.  Members of my family have served in all five of the Armed Services.  Now you have an idea of what Veteran’s Day means to me.

I believe that as long as there are men and women who are willing to give their lives to defend the ideals of this country America will be great.  The world needs America to be great because we are not satisfied with looking out for our own interests, we are not out for global domination, nor are we interested in forcing our way of life on others.  There are plenty of others who would do that.  They, much like the school yard bully, start by picking on people smaller than they are – and that is where we come in.  We need people who are willing to do the impossible for long hours and no sleep, little pay and little recognition, not for themselves but for others.  As long as they are willing there is cause to hope, there is cause to say “God Bless America!”

I am getting off my soapbox now; you may stop the John Philip Sousa music and put your flags away if you wish.  Just thank some Veteran this week!