DB's heartfelt post about being a veteran speaks for itself:

(http://groups.msn.com/UNMODERATEDMonsterseekersREDUX/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=1&ID_Message=31128&all_topics=0)

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From: Da Baer  (Original Message) Sent: 11/11/2003 6:50 PM Thank you from a Veteran  <o:p></o:p>             In 1965 I joined the Navy, fresh out of high school. The draft was in force and I knew it was only a matter of time so I joined rather then wait. Many of my high school friends did the same while other waited. Many of them never returned home and still other weren’t the same when they did come home.             When I joined I was proud to be able to serve my country proud of my country and proud of my fellow Sailor/Soldiers/Airmen and Marines.  I was proud of the uniform because it symbolized all of the right things and put me in the company of the many brave men who were serving their country.             When I returned home for visits I wore the uniform with pride. As time progressed my superiors told me that it might be a good thing not to wear the uniform when on leave since it would make me a target for those who didn’t agree with my serving. I continued to do so in spite of them and I dared them to do anything to disgrace the uniform that I wore. The uniform that said I was a member of the greatest armed forces the armed forces that was protecting their right to protest. I held my head up high even as they shouted their obscenities at me because I knew I was right and they were wrong.             When I received my honorable discharge in 1971 and returned home I still wore my uniform with pride in spite of those who were protesting since I knew that I had done my part to insure their freedom.             I now have a son who I am proud to say is a volunteer; he is a Navy Corpsmen, a medic assigned to the 2nd Marines. I pray every night for him to be kept out of harms way but I also am proud to see him in his uniform and he to has told me that he is proud to defend our country.             Several months ago I was in San Diego on a business trip and there was a protest going on about the war going on in the Gulf. At first I was angry and hurt. It brought back all of the memories of those years in the late 60’s and early 70’s when so many of my friends were in harms way, many of them were not coming home because they were wearing their uniform and serving their counties so that their people would have the right of free speech. All I could do was walk away so I stepped into a neighborhood bar to cool off and have a beer. While standing at the bar I noticed three young men who had short haircuts but were wearing civilian clothes sitting a few stoles away. I asked them what ship they were off of and they looked a little surprised but they told me. I asked them why they weren’t in uniform and they told me that they were told not to wear them because of the protestors. I was speechless since it brought back so many sad memories. I did all I could do; I bought them all a beer and thanked them for my fellow countrymen.             Now every night when I pray for may son I pray for all of those young men who have volunteered to serve their country, who have volunteered to go into harms way and may not come home.             Now I want to thank all of my fellow American for giving me a chance to serve them in the military I want to thank all of the men and women who have gone in harms way in the service of this great country. I want to say GOD Bless America.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> A proud Vet            I

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For information about the World War II Memorial and for pix posted by RMiller, go to this thread.