Wednesday
November 14, 2001

To all who gave so many of your yesterdays....

Saluting a Desert Storm Veteran, remembering all who served with great pride and gratitude. The U.S. Marines have served for over two centuries. I honor the Korean War Veterans for their effort, sacrifice and courage to preserve freedom and to advance peace. To all dads/moms, husbands/wives and sons/daughters on Veterans Day who served his/her country well and more. You all are worthy of admiration, someone to heartily respect, someone that's appreciated and looked up to, to love. You're thought of more than you can imagine.

The United States Air Force is the wings of our freedom. You secure the skies. I'm grateful to you (veterans) and our Nation salutes you. I also honor our policemen and firemen as heroes, you shine in my book putting your lives on the line daily. And to the dedicated U.S.Army. Since the birth of our Nation, the U.S. Navy has defended our freedom with courage and valor.

At times like this I can't help but think how fragile life is. We need to band together with our strength in love of family and embrace our friends.

As John F. Kennedy said, my fellow Americans ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. We need to do whatever we can to make a difference in this world. We owe it to those who suffered September 11th to always remember them by reaching out to give in any way we can. Look deep within our own hearts and stop any prejudice right where it starts. Let's hope we all will respect each other's faith and creeds. Not only should we pray for our nation but also pray for our world.

I've been thinking of all the wonderful things about America. We are the people and for the people that came to mind. Times like these make us all even more grateful for each other. Our country has come a long way and on word we must go.

What it means to be an American is believing in a better tomorrow, to honor each other's differences. To love our family and friends. Never taking each other for granted. Our lives may be snuffed out before we all know it. We the people are a family that's what makes us Americans.

We need to pass on a peaceful nation to our children and to pass on our history. We are what makes the land of the free and home of the brave. Our nation will light the way to freedom as it always has for generations to come. There's no place like home but America. We Americans will always soar, strong, proud and free.

Thank you to all those who gave unselfishly to serve our great country. Hard times like these try all our souls. Our faith in ourselves and others is what makes us who we are.We need to open our hearts and be proud of our flag. And never take for granted the privilege of calling ourselves Americans.

This is the time to reach out like we never have before to make a difference. To all who served in the Vietnam War and to the WWII Veterans, thank you. War brings tears, heartache, pain beyond belief. It's a time all of our men and women to stand side by side.
To honor loved ones we've lost, we must promise to live and put purpose in each and every day to the best of our own ability. I cheer our heroes. I'll never forget your stories.

I ask God for the wisdom to help guide myself and our country. To all who help make this world we share a safer, better world, you're thought about so often. All you veterans are what I am thankful for. I will be thinking of you this Thanksgiving.

The blood that has been given for this great country makes me proud to be an American. God bless America, the land I love. As President Bush says, wherever our enemy is we must protect and keep our land safe and free. This is a fragile time in all of our lives. It's a good time to sing America the Beautiful, it'll warm you.

Hurray for America! Love our country and pass it on!