Five Years and One Day

November 10, 2003

That's the day I started my current job. I received a 5 year pin and a nice certificate (which does look rather impressive, I might add). And I get to pick out a gift. As I was looking through the choices, I noticed that there were gifts available to those with 60 years of service ! I can't imagine being with the same company for 60 years. The last five years has passed very quickly. (If only I would have gotten some kind of credit for the 20 plus years at a previous job - it was retail - got nothing - nothing but a notice saying that I would be unemployed within the next 2 weeks).

Anyways ...

Happy Anniversary to ME !!

A Veteran Died Today

He was getting old and paunchy,

and his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the VFW

telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he had fought in

and the deeds that he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies,

they were heroes every one.

And though sometimes to his neighbors,

his tales became a joke,

All his buddies listened,

for they knew whereof ' he spoke.

But we will hear his tales no longer,

for our comrade passed away,

And the world's a little poorer,

for a veteran died today.

When politicians leave this earth,

their bodies lie in state,

While thousands note their passing

and proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell their stories

from the time that they were young,

But the passing of a veteran

goes unnoticed and unsung.

He was just a common veteran

and his ranks are growing thin,

But his presence should remind us,

we may need his likes again.

For when countries are in conflict,

then the military's part,

Is to clean up all the troubles

that the politicians start.

Perhaps just a simple headline

in the paper that might say:

"Our Country is in Mourning

for a Veteran Died Today ..."

- Author Unknown

AND ...

Thank you Dad for serving our country with the United States Army .

Thank you to my nephew for serving our country today with the United States Coast Guard.

AND THANK YOU to all of those who served in the past and to those who serve today.

You all must never be forgotten.

Happy Veteran's Day.