“Semper Fi, Devil Dogs!”

Sorry, I had to give a shout out to my fellow Marines! Thanks to the old salty dogs for their service and thanks to the young Marines for continuing the greatest of American traditions.  The ancient Japanese had Samurai Warriors, the ancient Greeks had Spartan Warriors, and we Americans have Marine Warriors.

Inter-service rivalry aside, thanks to all Americans who have served the greatest of American traditions, fighting for our freedom.  Every branch is vital to the mission of securing this great nation. We each should believe in our respective branch of service, but I am sincerely grateful for the service of the members of every branch of our great military.

As a veteran, I can honestly say I do appreciate when someone thanks me for my service, but it also makes me a little uncomfortable, because the truth is, I didn’t do all that much.  Many, many others have done so much more than I did.  They are deserving of thanks, but me….not that much.

To honor those who have spilled their life’s blood, the only real way to thank them is to NOT allow their sacrifice to be in vain.  To truly thank these heroes, live your life to the fullest.  Go and live your dream, that’s what the great ones died for, so that every American could live their dream.  Please don’t waste their gift by focusing on what’s wrong with the country.  Stop all the negative talk and energy on complaining about how our best days are behind us.  Quit listening to the naysayers on both ends of the spectrum, and make the most of every opportunity in your path.  Veterans didn’t put it all on the line so Americans could have mediocre lives.  We did and do it for our fellow Americans to have the chance to live a dream-filled life, which is not possible inside the borders of so many other nations.

How do you really thank Veterans? Make the most of their gift to each us and live great lives filled with liberty, freedom, and happiness.  Whatever you do, don’t waste their sacrifice.

Boo Yah!