All I can do is agree with you, I can't say it better.

Jim, like you I also remember this day being called Armistice Day. Wonder why the name was changed. The veterans of the Vietnam Era were treated horribly when they returned. And you are right, a free donut and cup of coffee, or a free meal can't correct that. Robin, you are very correct about the families of military personnel also being deserving of our thanks. While they might not be in danger of IEDs or other physical aspects of war, they still pay a very high price for their loved one being away. Today was Daddy's birthday - November 11, 1894. He served in WWI. Our oldest served 24 years in the Army and the youngest was in the Marines for 4. We do have a Veteran's Day Parade here, but I have noticed that the turn out is getting fewer and fewer each year. That's sad. To those who have any military connection, be it a service member or family of one, whether now or in the past - Thank You.

I work at a college. Today, as we do every year, we participate in the National Roll Call. We have a ceremony at noon with college officials and student organization presidents. The National Roll Call organization supplies us with a list of servicepersons who died in action in the last year from our state. Our student organization presidents, about 10 of them, divide the list of deceased servicepersons and reads the names slowly aloud, giving a moment of silence for each one. Today, we had a very touching moment. One of our student leaders was the widow (a pretty little blond, about 20 years old) of one of the deceased serviceman, and she read her husband's name aloud. Not a dry eye.

I think of my dad, who, right after high school graduation with peach fuzz on his chin and the war in the Pacific still on, reported for induction. As did his classmates. The war ended just before he got there to be part of the occupying forces. Imagine, there was no talk in the school halls of "what schools are you applying to?" Everyone knew they were going into the armed forces. And I think of my FIL, who escaped from a German POW camp and ultimately fought with the liberation forces, but in the end he couldn't go home to his own country. and I think of the young men and women now, who join, aren't drafted. Thanks to all of you.