Veteran's Day

 In a way Veteran's Day came early for me. Being a Veteran is a membership to an exclusive club paid for by service, sacrifice, sweat and sometimes blood. Some folks volunteered and some weren't given a choice. I'm not a Veteran but I can appreciate what they have done. My Dad was a Veteran and he was laid to rest last week.

I generally write a post about Veteran's Day every year. I think growing up with a Veteran as a Father possibly makes the holiday more important to me. I could easily blog about my Dad. However, my Dad was a member of a Veteran's Group. As an outsider to the group I learned more about what a Veteran really is, as I always thought it was somebody who served in the military.

My Uncle passed on the wisdom that I would find my group. If my group were half the character of my Dad's I think I would be alright. I've said of my Dad's group if I knew nothing about what a Veteran was I would respect the heck out of them from what I have seen from my Dad's group.

When my Dad did something foolish, they would give him a hard time. However, they would be the ones to help him out. The hard time and the help came from a place of love. This group of Veteran's is called the JaxVets. They aren't super organized, few rules but they meet for breakfast weekly. They raised the funds to support two service dogs for Veteran's. 

Not only did they respect each other, they also respected and supported the current military members.  Today is a day to appreciate Veteran's and thank them for what they have done, what they are doing, and perhaps reach out to them and share some love.

Happy Birthday to the late Toy Caldwell

It is a great week to celebrate Toy Caldwell's birthday since earlier in the week it was Veteran's Day. Usually I write a blog post about the holiday. This year I missed it due to life. The Veteran's Day Post I like the best is this one.

What does celebrating Toy Caldwell's birthday and Veteran's Day have to do with each other? Toy Caldwell was a veteran. He enlisted in the Marines and served in Vietnam where he was injured. He returned to service after his injury and served from 1966 to 1969.

Music is what Toy Caldwell is mostly known for and in our tribute to Toy we will post a few songs.
One of his best known songs is "Can't You See" which he did when he was in The Marshall Tucker Band. The song features Toy on vocals this version comes from 1973...

Here he performs "Midnight Promises" which features some session work from Greg Allman...

Here Toy performs "I Hear the South Calling My Name"

Hope you enjoyed the story and the music! Thanks for visiting!

Veteran's Day

Most years I write a Veteran's Day blog I've said thanks a million times. I support the troops, sailors, military men and woman. I don't always support the politicians and diplomats who put them in harms way. I respect them and thank these brave men and woman. Some of these folks are my friends, fraternity brothers, so my caring goes even deeper.This time I wanted to show some clips and show why I am thankful for Veterans.This is why they deserve are respect.

Here is the Coast Guard performing a recent rescue..No matter politics you have to respect these folks putting themselves in risks to rescue people...

Here the Marines help people recover from Sandy...

Here Army National Guards make a rescue in New Jersey...

Here the Air Force delivers supplies to help with Sandy...

Here the Navy helps clean up after Sandy

Veteran's Day

I humbly thank the service members of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. Many of them have to work on their Holiday. They work long hours, sometimes stationed away from family and loved ones. I thank them for their sacrifices big and small. They should never feel their job is thankless.

For those away from home, I hope they will return home safe and sound and reunite with their loved ones. For those who have had to deal with the loss of fellow co-workers, Brothers and Sisters in arms I can't say I know how you feel as a civilian. I'm sure there is pain, sorrow, and other emotions. I can say I am sorry for our Country's loss, for your loss, and for their family loss. I an say I am thankful of their sacrifice.

I hope we get politicians and diplomats who can succeed at diplomacy more. So war and battles will be fewer. However, I am proud of all who stand ready. I am thankful of your non-battlefield activities as well. Thank you for your law and order, your humanitarian efforts, your entertainment, and your rescues.Things you may feel are over look we see and say thanks.

Veteran's Day

Tuesday is Veteran's Day, so I'm posting a little early. I offer a basic thank you for all the things the military does for us. I thank those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, may they be remembered as heroes. Thank them for whatever war, conflict, or accident which took their lives. I hope you take a moment once in a while to remember they were someones love ones.

Take a moment to remember the ones missing in action. May they come home safe and sound one day. If they have passed away, hope their bodies make it home.

Thank the Coast Guard for the criminals they pursue. Thank them for their heroeric rescues they perform. It could easily be your life or the life of some one you know. Thank them for keeping our coasts safe. They deserve a Thank You.

Thank the reservist or the member of the National Guard. Thank them for all they do when a Natural Disaster happens. Thank them for the sacrifices they make when our country calls them uip for active duty. Thank them for sacrificing their monthly weekends. Thank them for stepping up.

Thank the Navy, thank the Army, thank the Air Force and thank the Marines. Thank them for leaving their families behind while they go on their missions. Thank them for going into battle. Thank them for their losses. Thank them for their humanitarian missions which are often over looked. Thank them for how they help our community. Thank the Marines for their Toys for Tots mission.

Thank the ones who serve.