Veterans Day

[JeffB]

Veterns are the reason we have the freedoms we do in this country. Be sure to take a few minutes to pray for them and thank them for what they have done for us all.

[Doug]

Great post!

I would like to recognize a family member from WWII
The story below is pieced together from my cousin Ray and other family members...

In loving memory of Capt. Harold Culpepper

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/s2tbolt/Culpepper-PondCrew.jpg

Harold Culpepper was the only son in his family.
He joined the RCAF (Canadian Air Force) before the US got into WWII and flew
British Spitfire fighters in the Battle of Britain. When we entered the war he
joined the US Army Air Corps (before it became the US Air Force)and was
a B-17 bomber pilot.
He was on his last mission, after having flown over 100, and was Captain
of his ship.
He was shot down over Germany in Nov. 1944...his crew
survived by bailing out and all survived. Our Uncle Harold went down with
the plane because he waited until the rest of his crew got out safely.
Harold's fate is shrouded in mystery. His body was never found; rumors are
that he was captured and sent into Russia, but we have never been able to confirm.

He is a true hero.

We salute his memory on Veteran's Day.

[Doug]

It Is The Soldier


"It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
Whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag."

By Charles M. Province, a veteran of the US Army
1970
International War Veterans' Poetry Archives
http://www.iwvpa.net/provincecm/

[scootertrash]

Thats kick ass Doug, I love history. Esp. if its dealing with military.

[Katy]

then you guys should sit down with my pawpaw. hell go on and on about Iwo Jima for hours, i know because ive sat and listened about 1,000 hours of my life.

thank you, veterans. I like speaking english, and i like freedom.