Today is Veteran’s Day, and I want to take this time to say a sincere thank you to our veterans and those who serve in our country’s uniforms.

I come from a long line of military men, although I never served myself.

My great-great-great-great grandfather John S. Swords served in the Revolutionary War, and was a POW part of that time.

My great-great grandfather Benjamin A. Swords was killed at the Battle of Shiloh during the Civil War.

My grandfather John B. Hood fought in the “war to end all wars”, World War I.

His son, my uncle John B. Hood, Jr. fought with the 2nd Airborne in World War II, and managed to escape from a POW camp during that time.

His brother, my uncle Clyde E. Hood, was a career military man, serving in many postings including a stint in Vietnam.

My father, “Bud” Dillard served in the Korean War.

I registered for the draft when I turned 18, but the Vietnam war was winding down by then, and I was never called.

I was raised to respect those serving in our country’s armed forces, and I certainly do. I thank everyone in uniform that I come across and this past weekend my wife put $40 wortth of gas in a soldier’s truck when his government credit card wouldn’t go through.

When he protested, she simply asked him, “Are you in our country’s uniform?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied.

“You’re serving me, now I’m serving you.” Then she paid for his gas.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the United States Armed Forces, thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you do!

If you see a veteran today, thank them!

I couldn’t find a better way to say it than Anheuser-Busch did a while back in one of their commercials, so I’ll let them speak for me. This video has been and will remain under “Media” in my sidebar.

Others honoring our vets:

• Stop the ACLU
• La Shawn Barber
• One Big Dog
• Michelle Malkin
• Stuck on Stupid
• Political Teen
• Cao’s Blog
• Euphoric Reality

Salute!

UPDATE: Why do they do it?

“Because as I look around the state of this nation and see all of the weak little pampered candy-@$$es that are whining about this or protesting that, I’d be afraid to leave the fate of this nation entirely up to them.” —First Lt. Bruce Bishop explaining why he’s re-enlisting in the Utah National Guard. From the Federalist Patriot, November 9, 2005 issue

TD