Today is Veterans Day, a time for us to remember, honor, and celebrate all those who have put their lives on the line defending the greatest nation the world has ever known. In doing so I’d like to bring to you a speech by Allen West made yesterday at Muster XXVII at the Navy SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, FL. In it he address all veterans as well as the Marines on their birthday and of course the Navy SEALs.

Here is his speech:

And via special request from AmericanBorninCanada, a poem:

Twice the Thanks

I am a part of two nations,
both mean so much to me.
Canada and America
both give men to keep us free.

Canada today remembers those,
who did not die in vain.
America today gives thanks
to those whose courage never wanes.

When you see a poppy today,
remember those who died.
A poem I think of, called Flanders Fields
is where many from both nations lie.

When you see a veteran today,
thank him for his service for you.
He gave so much we can not know
his love for his country is true.

America’s Veterans, I thank you,
and for you all I thank the Lord above.
I think of what you’ve done for me
and this beautiful country that I love.

Canada, I left so long ago.
But those who died are not forgotten.
Even though my heart is in the USA,
I remember those who are gone more often.

As I grow older, I so love America,
more and more each day.
Because of all our soldiers past and now,
about them I wish I had the words to say.

God please Bless these two nations,
both mean so much to me.
Canada and America
God Bless and keep those who make us free.

The RightScoop has many Veterans.
Some newer, some a long time here.
You are all so special to me,
and to me have become so dear.

Thank you never seems enough
for all you have done for me,
but it is my heart you all do have,
it’s all I can give you see.

God Bless and thank you all our Veterans and those still serving us on this Veteran’s/ Remembrance Day.

AmericanborninCanada *Duckie*




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171 comments
Conservative_Hippie
Conservative_Hippie

Thank you Veterans! And thanks to our men and women still serving, we owe you everything!

Conservative_Hippie
Conservative_Hippie

Two nations are stronger than one when they both fight for Freedom! Well done AbC sister!

bobemakk
bobemakk

I am a big poetry writer, great post Right Scoop, here is one of mine....

An American Soldier...

My tears may be silent,

Whenever I think of you,

You're far away from home,

Be proud of what you do...

You defend our country,

Never turning back in retreat,

You fight for our freedom,

And won't ever suffer defeat...

You're an American soldier,

Born to fight for preservation,

You won't ever back down,

It's part of your soldiers salvation...

You march yourself into combat,

And never know what you'll find,

Facing battle and showing no fear,

Marching in on the blind...

Ambushed and hurt,

You relentlessly fight,

Without any hesitation,

Into darkness of night...

Darkness and bad weather,

Won't ever hold you back,

Onward fighting soldiers,

Marching into combat...

I'll pray for you every day,

For each and every soldier,

Asking God to make certain,

There's an angel on your shoulder...

Dedicated to all of our military, thanks for your service and may God bless you and bring you home safely. I even donated this poem to Wounded Warriors, they never acknowledged, but I am sure they got it.

Copyright 2003/Robert L. Macchia/bobemakk@verizon.net

GreenBeretWay
GreenBeretWay

A call comes in the dark of night.

He rises to gather his gear, catch a flight.

The bumper stickers proclaim Freedom isn't Free.

He loves America from sea to glorious sea.

We all know the struggles,the hardship,the strife.

It is up to a few to protect our way of life.

He doesn't fight for the men in DC

He would lay down his life for his ABinC.

America may not know us all by name.

We don't do it to seek recognition or fame.

We do it for a country we love

We do it with guidance from God up above.

In the dirty sand he sweats in the heat.

He knows America depends on it's fighting elite.

She waits for a letter or maybe a call.

A small sign that he hasn't taken a fall.

The long nights alone she has felt his pain.

How long can this go on? Has she gone insane?

She lights a candle,all she can do is pray.

Maybe he will be home soon,could this be the day?

On this Veterans Day all we ask for is love.

In return we assure you the peace of the dove.

Well here is my contribution for Veterans Day.

I am not as good a poet as my Dear Duckie.

I sucked at school,grammar,spelling and thank God for spell check or you guys would really know what a bone head I am.

It seems in retrospect that this could have been written by a 5th grader,but I am smarter than a 5th grader and I have AWESOME aim and I love to break stuff.

DebbyX
DebbyX

Really touching poems from you and ABC! Both so heartfelt, it comes across the wire. Happy Veteran's Day to you and all contributors here at this site, that has become my life line.

Now, more then ever! Hang tough everyone.............there's still time.

AmericanborninCanada
AmericanborninCanada

I wish there was a love button. Mysweetsoldier- stop it with the put downs. That's MY GreenBeret you're talking about, one of the most thoughtful and intelligent people I know. Your input to this site is a blessing to many. Thank you myGreenBeret.

GEDouglas
GEDouglas

Inspiring! Both West and ABC's poem.

tinlizzieowner
tinlizzieowner

Those of us who went to school generations ago, know that our National Anthem is the first verse of the poem 'The Defence of Fort McHenry' by Francis Scott Key. Few have ever read the whole poem, especially the last verse.

"O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: ’In God is our trust.’

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!".

AmericanborninCanada
AmericanborninCanada

I have a book about Francis Scott Key for my homeshcool. My son learned about him last year, and he while not able to recite the whole poem (song) yet, knows there is so much more to it than is sung.

Key's story was an amazing one!

tinlizzieowner
tinlizzieowner

Break out your handkerchief's, those who have fought will be the first to cry.

I'm going to post a link here that may make the rest of you wonder why.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284

That is what we fight for, that is why we die.

So little girls and boys like this will have will have the right to try.

AmericanborninCanada
AmericanborninCanada

Love this. Thank you tinlizzieowner.

tinlizzieowner
tinlizzieowner

It's a shame that 5 little girls can sing our National Anthem so beautifully while so many (so called) adults can't can't manage to do it, without butchering it. :-(

AmericanborninCanada
AmericanborninCanada

Especially those so called adults who forget the words. I don't know which is worse- singing it, thinking they're creative genius' for changing the tune, or forgetting the words. Both are disgusting to me. I always loved America's national anthem- it's a beautiful song and ideal just as it is!

KenInMontana
KenInMontana

This seems an appropriate place for this:

There's a character trait that's decided by fate

Comes (sadly) to many, far too faint, far too late.

They won't face the aggressor, stand up to his ire

They have not the will to fight his fire with fire.

So they bend over backwards to see all sides as fair,

Till they're faced with dragon breath fire in their hair.

Like our brethren in France, who'd know better than we,

Yet seem never to learn, seem doomed never to see.

Yes, it seems there are some who're determined by fate,

To possess not the courage to step up to the plate,

Who shrink from all threat because nothing's worth war.

But how can they know lest they've been there before?

Thank God some have courage, the will, yes, the grace,

To stand for the shirkers, stand strong in their place.

Thank God we have stalwarts who'll stand for us all,

Who will rise to the challenge at their nation's call.

The faint—hearted, who fear, whose reaction is flight,

Have no comprehension of those who will fight.

To hide their own trepidation they attempt to demean

The rough men, who defend them, as barbaric, obscene.

Yet these rough men stand ready, hard weapons to hand,

To put placaters behind them, draw a line in the sand,

To preserve for the peaceniks what they won't defend,

So their own unearned freedom won't perish, won't end.

To appeasers, rough men are coarse government tools.

To rough men, appeasers are dumb delusional fools.

Russ Vaughn

2d Bn, 327th Parachute Infantry Regiment

101st Airborne Division

Vietnam 65—66

Jerseygalnny
Jerseygalnny

Heartfelt thanks to all those who served our great nation, in wartime and in peacetime. You have my unending gratitude and respect! God bless you all!

KenInMontana
KenInMontana

As a Marine vet, I want to thank Scoop and ABC for their tribute. I also want to thank and honor all those who served before me that made it possible to have the honor to serve and defend this great nation and our Constitution. The oath I took is one that has no expiration date and I will continue to hold to until my last mortal breath, and one I will expect those that come after to continue to uphold.

Semper Fidelus.

AmericanborninCanada
AmericanborninCanada

Thank you so much Ken for your service and your dedication to the oath that you and all of you still hold to. God Bless you. Thank you.

AmericanborninCanada
AmericanborninCanada

Thank you our Nation's best. Past and present. I'll never forget, nor will I let my son forget those who served, those who never made it home, those who are still MIA and those who are serving now. You, and they are always in my heart.

Thank you Scoop, very much for letting me give the poem. Our folks here mean so much to me, and it is the only way I can think of to thank them. Having it on the same as Allen West, well, I am not worthy of that, so thank you. God Bless our military and their families.

Nukeman60
Nukeman60

Such a beautiful poem from such a beautiful soul. Thank you, duckie, for all you have done on this site, both to promote and honor our Constitution as well as how much you have honored all our great veterans - past, present and future.

We forget sometimes how important and how valuable our veterans are. They must always know that we are eternally grateful for their service and their sacrifices, both small and large alike. Many have given that last full measure, and many more are willing yet to do so, in order that those stars and stripes fly proud and free.

We are headed into a time that will try our souls, much like the times that tried the souls of our founding fathers. Many will rise to the occasion, and many will be found to be those same proud and brave veterans who are ever vigilant to do their duty to God and country.

I'm proud to know many of these great veterans, even if it is just to talk to them on a blogsite. I'm also proud to be a member of this site, TRS, for it is this type of site from which we will begin to regain our great country and I'm sure that our vets who frequent here (and there are many) will be in the forefront of that battle.

From places like this and from people like these we build the wellspring from which hope springs eternal, with the grace of God.

AmericanborninCanada
AmericanborninCanada

Nukefriend, you just got me bawling again. You are such a dear sweet friend. I am convinced God is in this, that He in His infinite wisdom, knew that we would need people in our lives for such a time as this... He brought us here, He joined us together as a family, stronger almost, because we, not knowing each other in real life, yet share the same passions, ideals, values and family ties in Christ. He brought us together. He is in control, and I am grateful to Him for my Scoop family. xoxoox Nukebrother.

p m
p m

Thanks for the notice, Nukeman, and enjoy the rest and relaxation - oops, nearly wrote R&R...

AmericanborninCanada
AmericanborninCanada

Thank you Nukefriend for letting us know ;-) I was getting ready last time to hunt you down. I will be praying you have a safe and good trip. God Bless and be with you sweet friend. xoxoxo

Nukeman60
Nukeman60

Oh, before I forget. I'm leaving tomorrow morning to go to Missouri (my mother lives down there and I want to visit with her while I rest up for a week, prior to my mission to uncover this massive electronic voter fraud our country is saddled with). I will be completely AFK this next week. Just thought I'd better mention it, as I failed to do so the last time I disappeared for a week (and was soundly, but fairly, reprimanded by my dear friends).

Take care. I will be back next weekend, refreshed and ready to do battle once again. God Bless all my Scooper friends and companions and be well in my absence.

Pickupdriver
Pickupdriver

May I, please, echo your words, ABiC...I was just going to post a thank you to all people on RS who have posted that they are either active military or veterans, or they have family members who are serving or have served in the Armed Services. I didn't want to miss anyone here. You all are such kind people. God Bless.

Arrrggghhh
Arrrggghhh

My deepest heartfelt thanks to all of our veterans and the families that sacrificed so much to support them. I pray that we honor you by not allowing the country that you served so bravely to go quietly in to the pages of history.

wodiej
wodiej

God bless all of our veterans and their families. My Dad served in the Korean War fighting on the front lines. I called him today in Nevada and said "Dad, I just called to see how you are doing and to tell you Happy Veteran's Day." He said "thanks, I wasn't expecting anyone to call today." I thought he was going to start crying. Me and my Dad have always been close but he lives far away and I don't see him much.

Constance
Constance

I grew up in a family of military men. When I was a kid, my favorite day of the week was Friday, because every Friday night, I'd go with my dad, my uncles, my grandpa and my great-grandpa to the VFW in town (we lived in the middle of nowhere) and have great food and I would listen to all the war stories. I grew up around people whose respect for the flag and what it stood for was on equal footing with their belief in God and their love of their families. There was honor. There was a stoic patriotism that was just plain American. To this day, I thank someone for their service when I see them wearing a uniform. I respect them, even if I don't know them. Thank God for the men in my family and all of the men and women past and present in this country who chose to serve all of us.

poljunkie
poljunkie

Great story Constance. Im proud of your family as well.

My husband taught our son to respect the Flag--- from early on as well.

When we are walking thru the airport my hubby will often times stop soldiers to thank them for their service. Welcome them back. Many are humbled, even a little embarrassed. But my hubby is from the Vietnam era, and wasn't treated quite as well on his return.

WordsFailMe
WordsFailMe

The last 65 has been the greatest time to be alive that anyone can remember. I'm glad you had that in your life, Constance and by sharing it, you give it to the rest of us here too.

MaxineCA
MaxineCA

Well, it seems like every Memorial Day and Veterans Day I end up crying all day, an absolute blubbering mess. I can't really ad to what inspiring thoughts my Scoop friends have posted here. So I'll let the voices of innocence sing what I can not articulate right now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pfBUUZNbFM&feature=related

Duckie my friend, that was a wonderful poem! Thanks for sharing.

AmericanborninCanada
AmericanborninCanada

My eyes have been burning and tearing all day Maxine. I'm crying again right now. I couldn't come on earlier, and am still so touched now. Thank you for the video. Lord, I'm using paper towels- kleenex just don't cut it on this day. (((())))s my sister.

WordsFailMe
WordsFailMe

I rarely ever missed a July 4th or a November 11th without getting totaled until I gave it up. Not sure what I was celebrating or trying to forget, but those days were always significant to me.

When I discovered that rarely is there on day in a year that goes by that my mind doesn't some how or in some small way drift back to those days of my youth when I was going to live either forever or for one more minute. But it seems these days the only thing I rarely run out of is something to say.

This Veteran's day is different for me. I've said abut everything I can say to honor the dead and remember them, even the millions I'll never know who died for freedom without ever having tasted it, but today I wonder what they would say to the living? I wonder what the men still occupying the USS Arizona, forty feet under Pearl harbor would say? How about that pilot whose wings are still pinned to his rotting jacket in some green hell hole surrounded by condominiums wants me to know?

Would he like A.H. Clough repine--

SAY not the struggle naught availeth,

The labour and the wounds are vain,

The enemy faints not, nor faileth,

And as things have been they remain.

Or would he say

If your heart has failed you

and your sun no longer shines

And you think your days are long and dark,

well, have a look at mine.

p m
p m

Thank you, Words. Again.

AmericanborninCanada
AmericanborninCanada

Take up our quarrel with the foe

To you, from failing hands, we throw

The torch: be yours to hold it high

If ye break faith with us who die,

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields

I may not be much Words, but I will not give up that torch. I will carry it in any way this old duck can. Thank you SO very much for your service, and for being who you are. (((()))s

Rshill7
Rshill7

Yes, what might they say after getting up to speed on where we are now? Some might say, "What the Hell happened?! Did I die for this?! I fought the enemy on foreign soil for my government and my countrymen. Now that government and those countrymen are the enemy."

"What have you people done? Who are you? What are you? Is this really what you've done with my sacrifice and that of my brothers? I'm glad I didn't make it. I can't bear to look at it. Somebody shoot me again before I shoot myself. Holy God, please take me back to heaven. My country is no more."

Thanks brother. You are loved and appreciated sir.

maynardb50
maynardb50

Me? U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division, later 2D Infantry Division. Loads of memories and pride. Basic "on the Hill" at Ft. Bliss, El Paso, Tx. !969. Lots of fun....lol.

Pickupdriver
Pickupdriver

Maynard was my Dad's name - although he was quite a bit older than you, Maynardb50. It is a name we don't hear that often...so just wanted to share that. Thank you very much for your service.

maynardb50
maynardb50

I am not really 50, but older than that. Wish I was 50, lol

BikerHoop
BikerHoop

To all my fellow Veterans, I say thank you.

Thank you for the sacrifices you made while serving.

Thank you for taking the oath to "defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic", and loudly proclaiming that oath has no expiration date.

Thank you for being there for Lady Liberty whenever and wherever she needed you.

Thank you for defending the rights of those who would denigrate you for doing it.

Thank you to the families that are understanding of your need to serve and tolerate the long separations, lonely nights and children who don't get to see Mommy or Daddy at their school functions.

But mostly, thank you for being you. It's because of people like yourself that we are able to enjoy the freedoms and liberties we enjoy in this country. Your unselfish devotion to your fellow countrymen does not go unnoticed and will not be forgotten.

Welcome home, my Brothers and Sisters!

AmericanborninCanada
AmericanborninCanada

Thank you Bikerhoop. For your service and for your words here- beautifully said. God Bless you.

Patriot077
Patriot077

Thank you ABC for your stirring poetry ... tears on this end, of course! :)

Today we remember our brave troops who have kept us free for generations. Just seeing the WWII veterans makes my eyes water and my heart ache. Heroes one and all.

Thank you to all here who have, or are, serving our country. My own hubby was in the Navy during the Viet Nam War (stationed on shore in VN for part of his enlistment) and he didn't care to share memories of his tour there.

God bless our military and our veterans, and may He continue to bless the USA.

AmericanborninCanada
AmericanborninCanada

Thank your husband for his service Patriot! (((())))s

Patriot077
Patriot077

I so wish I could AbC, but he passed away the day before Ovomit was elected in 2008. My consolation is that he didn't need to see what we have watched on a daily basis.

I thought about putting his Navy picture up as my avatar for the day but I'm not quite ready for that yet - maybe this time next year, eh?

AmericanborninCanada
AmericanborninCanada

((((((())))))s to you Patriot. I am so sorry for your loss. Yes, maybe next year you'll be ready. I love you sister.