Thanksgiving Thoughts and Prayers

There was a photo taken of a statue during the Veterans Day observance in New York and that Statue has captured the nation’s attention in a way that can only be classified as historic. That is the photo of the statue which depicts a Green Beret riding on a Mongolian Pony, a descendent of those ridden by Genghis Khan and his Mongol Army, centuries ago. It is a statue that depicts a Special Forces soldier riding into combat on this pony against an entrenched enemy on his home turf, against the Taliban just after 9-11.

In the photo you can see several of the 9-11 heroes from Operation Enduring Freedom 1 being greeted by the crowd as they walk behind the statue or ride in the truck that is pulling it down the road. What an incredible moment in history! The recognition of these heroes being given by a city that suffered so greatly on that day, over ten years ago is awe inspiring. It makes me feel an even greater sense of pride in my country, in our military.

Over this Thanksgiving Holiday, I think I will stop and take a little time to give thanks for great men such as these. I will say thank you to all of those who have served. Thank you for your service to our great nation. Thank you for being there when our nation called upon you and sent you into harms way. You went without hesitation, without question, without doubt, and probably with the knowledge that this may be your very last mission, ever.

Today our military is an all volunteer force that has been heavily engaged in a shooting war for the last ten years. Imagine that! An entire force comprised of men and women, all volunteers who joined knowing full well the hazards they may face. Has there ever been such a military in the history of man kind?

During the last century our nation witnessed its share of war and the World War II generation was dubbed the Greatest Generation of all time. Please allow me to say this, to declare today, that we are blessed to have the next Greatest Generation amongst us now! Their example, their sacrifice, when all is said and done will prove to have made a tremendous impact on the course of our nation’s history for decades, if not centuries to come.

Happy Thanksgiving!

God bless our heroes of the War on Terror!

God bless the Special Forces soldiers!

De Oppresso Liber!
Steve

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Buy American?

It is never too late to be what you might have been.--
George Eliot (1819-1880) English Novelist

This came from a good friend. It certainly gave me some ideas for this Christmas. We need to start somewhere restoring our country or we won't have one. I believe whole heartedly in missions, but this is different. The wealth they amass doesn't help the poor and needy in their countries. They use their people in sweat factories and barely pay them. Our country does more for their underprivileged than they do. If we don't stop what is going on, we won't be able to do that.

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition as the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift-giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American-owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half-dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open. Plan your holiday outings at local, owner-operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

And how about going out to see a play or ballet atyour hometown theater.Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about our country, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to followtheir dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

One last novel thought, buy a book written by an American Author, like me!

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments.

This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?

Thanks and God Bless you all!