Thank a Vet Today

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Above Podcast by Jack Spiriko at The Survival Podcast about Veterans Day.

Today, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the guns fell silent.  We hoped for the last time.  That’s how the “Great War” ended, but later it became World War I and war continued to this day.  Now November 11 has become Veteran’s Day.

Today, go thank a Vet for their service.  They deserve it because they are willing to do what happened above and below.

In this crap hole many Marines where injured.  My sister company took casualties all night.  We helped overran the enemy the next morning.  We had to sit in support of our unit among many dead bodies to provide fire support to our unit as they went into the attack of a Saddam strong hold.  It was one of the scariest things of my life.  We stood in the center of this courtyard chasing people away from the surrounding buildings so they couldn’t attack us from above.  I took this picture trying to hide behind a garbage can for cover.  There we sat, in the open, to support our company.

Most of the people that put on a uniform are willing to sit in the open, taking fire, to stand between the evil wolves of the world and the good people of the world.

If I haven’t convinced you that you need to thank a vet yet, go listen to this podcast by Jack Spiriko.  He gives the history and the reason behind thanking a vet.  The reason that a vet will look away when you shake their hand and say thank you.  Just remember they don’t decide when and where they go.  They just go because they want to defend freedom and the good people of the world.

Stay Safe,

Ben

P.S. This symbol of freedom is the reason I fought and would do it all again.

This series of photos was taken by me from the back of an “appropriated” Iraqi bus that my unit used to get from Baghdad to Kuwait.  We were forbidden to fly an American Flag in Iraq in 2003.  The cheers from my men where incredible as we crossed the border back to Kuwait and these Marines on their own unfurled Old Glory and let her fly.  It is the symbol of everything that is good in America to a Marine, Soldier, Airman, or Sailer.