Thank You, All Who Served

In honor of all the men and women who have honorably served our country, many of whom I've been privileged to know or have in the family.

Walter Diehl - my grandfather
WWI

Harvey Diehl - my father
WWII

from Rail & Wire
Irma Diehl, my grandmother. also served as a chaplain during WWI

Bill Koschin, US Navy my uncle, and
Betty Koschin, US Coast Guard,my mother
WWII

You may question some of the wars and conflicts the USA has decided to embroil herself in - I know I do.

Both my bros-in-law served in Vietnam, a war in which we now look back and ask, WTF?

Likewise, Iraq. Likewise, many of us are looking at Afghanistan and wondering if we shouldn't just get the hell out now, because what are we really accomplishing, right this minute?

But the men and women who volunteer for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, don't get to choose where they go or what they are assigned to do. They go where our elected representatives send them, and they deserve our support.

Know who else deserves our support? The women (and men) who are currently being raped and sexually assaulted in the military, who subsequently have their careers ruined if they dare to report their rape, while the RAPISTS are promoted and praised.

We'd all (myself included) rather wave our flags and believe a) it's a small problem, only a few outliers, and b) it's not something we civilians can do anything about. 

Please consider watching this movie - it's now available via DVD and streaming video.

Those who rape like nothing better than "nice" people who would rather not discuss unpleasant subjects like rape. That's a big part of why they get away with it. So talk about it. E-mail your elected representatives. We can do something about it.

This Memorial Day, among the picnics and barbecues and beach trips and Special! Sales! Events!, and whatever else you are doing, please take a few moments to remember and honor the veterans who were willing to put their lives on the line for the U.S.

Did you or your loved ones serve?

Your thoughts?