Paine's words, heard now as dim historic echo of a time where heroes walked and ordinary men and women made extraordinary sacrifices, ring true in our day. Those that "stand it now" do deserve our love and thanks. With the news that our local National Guard unit will be mobilized again the personal imprint of this trying time is once again felt intimately and the need to express support and gratitude is renewed.
Even though this post is partly motivated by our local news I am reminded that this a national issue. Note the following statistics...
National Guard (Federal
· Army National Guard and Army Reserve: 74,588
· Navy Reserve: 5,328
· Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve: 6,982
· Marine Corps Reserve: 8,773
· Coast Guard Reserve: 343
Total National Guard and Reserve
personnel mobilized:
96,014
Regardless of your views on the war it is important to remember that every man and woman currently serving in our armed forces volunteered for this duty.
Some simple suggestions...
- Red Shirt Friday. Wear your red shirt as a show of solidarity and support. (I've been doing this for several months now.)
- Tie one on, a yellow ribbon that is. Put one on your door, or on your car antenna, or on your lapel. (I will have this in place today.)
- Learn the "Thank You" sign and pass it along anytime you see any of our military personnel. If they don't know it already they will learn quickly as they see it over and over again. You can check out a brief video on this one at The Gratitude campaign.
5 comments:
We should always show our support for those who defend us. Good reminder.
Thanks for the focus on the brave.
Hi John,
No, haven't been around in a bit, I've been sick :(
I haven't heard about Ben Stein's movie, "Expelled" but have been out of the loop a bit nursing this cold, whats it all about??
Okay, just went and read up on this film... is it a joke or is it supposed to be true? (and that is a honest question I'm actually not clear...)
If this is for real I am actually speechless (for once)
I will certainly have to go and have a look if and when it is released in Ireland.
It all seems a bit bizzare and I'm inclined to think that it is 'taking the mick' as we say here in Ireland.
Hi Random!
I assume you are talking about the movie "Expelled". It's no joke though it may be laced with some tongue in cheek humor.
One quote from Dawkins in the trailer intrigued me. "I cannot tolerate a rival doctrine." I understand where he's coming from, just interesting to hear him use the terminology of doctrine - the very thing he would decry as bogus in a discussion concerning the notion of God.
Blessings!
John
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