Me: Hey Baby, is this tea really called “Red Mellow Bush”?

Mary (in other room): Yeah, it is.

Me: Man, why are there so many obstacles to me growing up?

I’m not one to slap American flags on my truck or worry all that much if someone wants to burn it. After all, it’s a symbol, easily re-created. But, what it stands for, our individual freedoms and responsibilities, will remain intact no matter how many are burned. We’re not a nation of cloth, we’re a nation of people.

But that’s not why I’m writing this. A Bridge Too Far is on AMC right now. Patton played a few hours ago. Watching these reminds me of two things: Playing with toy soldiers as a kid whenever movies like these were on television, and, more so these days, that a lot of people have given their lives to protect our interests. Regardless of the soundness of the judgement as to what is worth such a sacrafice, the sacrafice is made.

Those folks in our armed services, past and present, who gave everything from their time to their lives, we are indebted. This is as true for those who fought in the World Wars, Korea, Vietnam as those now in Iraq and Afghanistan.

So, to all Vets, thanks.