*Click on the day of the month for the daily quote.*

"It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag...."

The month of November quotes and stories are dedicated to veterans around the globe. Each quote on the calendar above relates to freedom and courage. Posted below are heartwarming stories, some personal accounts about veterans' time in service, or poems and stories written in honor of someone who served in the military. November 11th is Veteran's Day. One day out of 365 set aside to honor veterans, yet in most states and countries life goes on as usual. Only a few businesses actually stop all business to celebrate the day and honor veterans. Poppies are sold outside of shopping establishments, and many shoppers pass by saying "no thank you" to those offering the small red paper flowers.  After reading many veteran's stories on the web....I realized a little more just what that beautiful poppy actually symbolizes....freedom. Freedom...for all Americans to cherish, enjoy, or abuse....bought and paid for by those who have served, are serving or will at some time serve in the military. Each story below will make you think and reevaluate your thoughts, and remind you to be thankful....not so much for what you possess....but thankful for that thing which can't be possessed....freedom. Each remark that I have made thus far in this paragraph could be supported by a story below...."What is a Veteran???"...."Wear a Poppy"...."No Freedom Is Not Free". So many of the stories describe a special event which happened to an individual while serving overseas. Such as, in "The Story of Ruby"....Ruby found a home with a platoon of American soldiers and gave them lots of happiness before she "fell in love". Men and women served in the military....miracles happened....friendships were born....lives were changed....lives were lost and freedom was protected. The pictures throughout the stories are photos of places American troops have fought, especially Vietnam. A few photos are originals courtesy of veterans, Edward Blanco, Mac Dorsey, and Tim Lickness, who graciously allowed me to post their photos here for all of you to view. I was very excited when Barry Feig granted me permission to post his story...."Words From Above" At least he granted me permission with one condition....as long as I also add that the encounter which he wrote about actually led him to salvation in Jesus Christ." I am proud to honor his request :-) When I asked Don Poss  for permission to post a link to his website and his story...."Welcome Home, 1968"....he graciously said yes, and went on to say that the stories posted on his site...."are stories from the heart, with a positive or uplifting conclusion dealing with young people thrown together in war, and overcoming the horror and turmoil of death and emotion. More so, stories will recall the togetherness and camaraderie and good-times above the bad." That is certainly what I found to be true as I surfed the web for veteran stories. The stories I have posted below are just a sample of all that veterans have shared on the web....I hope you will spend November reading about the experiences of those who have fought to protect our freedom. Think about who is a veteran in your life. In the story "What is a Vietnam Veteran?," Dan Mouer answers the question with these words...."Vietnam veterans are men and women. We are dead or alive, whole or maimed, sane or haunted. We were Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Red Cross, and civilians of all sorts. Some of us enlisted to fight for God and Country and some were drafted. We are crazies dressed in cammo, wide-eyed, wary, homeless, and drunk. We are Brooks Brothers suit wearers, doing deals downtown. We are housewives, grandmothers, and church deacons. We are college professors....Vietnam vets are people just like you. Vietnam veterans are white, black, beige and shades of gray....Our ancestors came from Africa, from Europe, and China. Or they crossed the Bering Sea Land Bridge in the last Ice Age and formed the nations of American Indians, built pyramids in Mexico, or farmed acres of corn on the banks of Chesapeake Bay. We had names like Rodriguez and Stein and Smith and Kowalski. We were Americans, Australians, Canadians, and Koreans; most Vietnam veterans are Vietnamese. We were farmers, students, mechanics, steelworkers, nurses, and priests when the call came that changed us all forever....We were daughters and sons, lovers and poets, beatniks and philosophers, convicts and lawyers....We are Republicans, Democrats, Socialists, and Confucians and Buddhists and Atheists...." According to this description....we all know a veteran. Going back just a little bit in my life, both my grandfathers served in World War II, my maternal uncle, and my dad both served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict. My best friend just got out of the Army. He shared his experience of boot camp and his time in Korea with me. I have his story...."America's Compassion" posted on my website. I have several friends in the Army, a couple of friends in the Navy, and a good friend in the Air Force. My high school English teacher is in the reserves. My computer professor at college is a Vietnam veteran. I have never thought of these people as veterans....they are all just really nice guys who seem to have one thing in common....a wonderful concept of friendship. So when you think "Who is a veteran in my life?" It is probably like it is with me, your family and your friends....and it is these same "family and friends" who are keeping America free. These "friends" who are sacrificing a little of their personal freedom to secure our personal freedom allowing us to do as we choose each and every day....loving us with their actions. America is truly a great nation....and we owe that greatness to all those who served, serve and will one day serve in our Armed Forces. So even though Veteran's Day is November 11th on the calendar....make Veteran's Day every day in your heart....

Words From Above     Wheelchair Dancer, The 
What Is A Vietnam Veteran     What Is A Vet
Welcome Home Soldier     Welcome Home 1967     Wear A Poppy 
Vietnam 1968     Vet, The 
Thanksgiving     Tear For Those Who Gave Their All, A
Story of Ruby, The     Stories of the Robin Hoods     Somebody Died 
Soldier      Just A Common Soldier
Soldier     Soldier, The     So Long, Son     Semper Fi Heart 
River of Tears     I Remember
Rolling Thunder in the Night
Only A Soldiers Grave
Not My Father's War But My War
No, Freedom Is Not Free 
Mothers of Soldiers 
Mother of A Soldier, The     Map, The
It Has Always Been     In Flanders Field
Images of Freedom     I Am the Flag
Have You Ever Wondered     Hallowed Ground 
Door Gunner's Prayer, The     Dedicated to the Infantryman 
Combat Nurse, The
By the Light of the Rising Sun
Break the News to Mother 
Angels of Vietnam 
American Medley 

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