Saturday, November 11, 2006
Happy Veteran's Day
| I know this is running a bit late, but I have been out all day and just now able to get back here to post. Today is of course Veteran's Day, November 11th. Today marks the anniversary of the end of World War I, but now marks the day to celebrate all those who have served our country in uniform. Yesterday, coincidentally, was the Marine Corps birthday, 10 November, which is near and dear to me. In case you haven't figured it out, I am from a very military oriented family My grandfather was in the Navy in World War II. My father is a retired Marine. (You never say anyone WAS a Marine, since it's alifetime membership.) And of course my brother is getting close to 20 years in the Army. Of course that pedigree always leaves people wondering what happened to me. Well, I assure you, I serve my country best by not serving my country. I did ROTC in high school and worked for several years on an Air Force base. One thing I know is that I am not military material. I question authority regularly, can be extremely stubborn at times. I don't think my body is built to survive the millions of push ups I'd have to do and miles I'd have to run for insubordination. This does not, however, stifle my admiration and respect for those who choose to serve. At this point you're wondering if this is yet another post unrelated to Krystals. Well, actually, at the Square Off, just after it ended I turned to my left and did a double take as it appeared Joey Chestnut was in the crowd about 5 feet from me. But since I had just seen him on the stage stuffing his face with over 90 Krystals, I knew it could only be one person. I leaned over and asked "Are you Joey's brother?" To which he replied "Yes." I don't know if you knew or not, but Joey's brother is in the service. I seem to recall hearing during the Nathan's Hot Dog contest, that Joey's brother was in the Army and over in Iraq. Anyway, I was glad to have the opportunity to shake his brother's hand (I sadly do not know his name) and I also got to thank him for his service to our country. I try to make a point of thanking those in (and out) of uniform when I can. Lord knows there's plenty of people around the world who want to kill them, and sadly a lot of people in this country who will protest against them, curse at them, and attempt to disrupt their funerals, among other disgusting acts. So just because Veteran's day might be over, don't let the opportunity to honor our veterans slip away. You can thank a vet any day. You can thank a vet every day. Without them we wouldn't have the freedom to have goofy contests where people eat massive amount of Krystals on a beautiful October afternoon. And for those who want to point out that someone from Japan has beaten all Americans he's faced, I urge you to go back and read your history books. (Well maybe not the "history" in public schools these days.) Learn about what really happened with Japan before, during, and after WW II. If not for the US and "the greatest generation" I assure you Kobayaski wouldn't be doing what he does and Japan wouldn't be where they are. You may also see parallels between post WWII Japan and Iraq. "With great power comes great responsibility." It doesn't just apply to Spiderman, it applies to US as well.  |
