I sold V.F.W. Poppy's to America today.

[pwb]

I sit here tearful with joy at the American people.
Every age, every race, every religion, every sex, together today were all wonderful.
Not at all as defined.


Peace.. to my fellow veterans and fellow Americans.

[Redstone]

1. They're a permanent fixture on my car's rearview mirror. Nice to have some new ones;

the old ones were getting faded.

PS: let me state one more time for the record that although I've been in combat (and wounded there), I was never in the military. I made the choice to take that job, and I have the greatest of respect for our veterans, who joined or were drafted, and HAD to do what they were ordered to, no matter what, with no way out. I always had the option of quitting and walking away, though I did not do so; and I salute every one of you who had to stay and do what you had to do.

I'm going to take a moment to honor the ARVN vets as well, if you don't mind.

Redstone

[Jackpine Radical]

2. If only the VFW wanted peace...

When I was still in Vietnam they sent me a free membership. I saw some of their literature and tore the card up. They haven't changed.

From the first page of their website:
http://www.vfw.org/

Edwards' Call to Protest Dishonors Memorial Day

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2007--A website plea by presidential candidate John Edwards to encourage war protests at Memorial Day events across the country has drawn the anger of the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.

"Memorial Day is a solemn occasion to remember the service and sacrifice of more than one million American servicemen and women who gave their lives to create our nation, to save our Union, and to help free the world from tyranny," said Gary Kurpius, who leads the 2.4 million-member VFW, the nation’s oldest major veterans’ organization and its largest organization of combat veterans.

VFW Applauds War Supplement Passage

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2007--The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is applauding Congress for the passage of a 2007 emergency war supplemental spending bill that funds the troops without setting artificial withdrawal timelines.

“Congress did the right thing by omitting the withdrawal language and retaining the benchmarks for the Iraqi government to reach,” said VFW National Commander Gary Kurpius, a Vietnam veteran from Anchorage, Alaska. “I also appreciate the additional funding for veterans, military construction and homeland security programs.”

[Redstone]

3. Too bad about that, yes. Good point. Though I'll still buy the poppies.

Redstone

[Jackpine Radical]

5. I mostly don't buy poppies. Instead I tell them

I'm going to donate the money to a Democrat who will vote to get our troops out of harm's way and to fund the VA adequately.

[pwb]

4. that troubles a lot of vets.

its like our leadership in Washington? do they represent the majority of Americans? put me down for ending the war now.

[jody]

6. Thanks for helping people remember the sacrifice every veteran made for our country. Troops have

never failed America but presidents and congress have and continued to betray us.