Always deeply appreciated. If you didn't repost it, I would likely dig through your archives looking for it.

I recall this being the first post of yours I read. Linked I think by Reynolds.

Thanks for the repost -- especially on this veterans day.

Greater love hath no man than the one who lays down his own life for those of strangers -- for that one knows the full nature of friendship.

I am a sentimental man so I was greatly moved by your essay -- and it makes me thankful that I have been a lifelong conservative and that I did volunteer for service in Vietnam in my army days

Beautiful, moving and inspirational prose. Wonderful tale. Thank you

Always a moving post.

A thought about veterans. This is not mine. I wish it were.
"A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his/her life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including my life'. That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." – Author Unknown

Jimmy J, another thought about veterans:

You're right, of course. The only problem, however, is that there are and have been too many holders of that check who have been far too casual about cashing it.

Sure does remind me of my father, and my Mom's brother, and both of his sons.

thanks for re-posting. I think I read this several years ago, and it has not lost its power a bit.