Veterans Day - 2013

HONORING MY COMRADES

Once again we pause on Monday to remember the veterans who served our country proudly in times of strife.  As a veteran myself I've written about this day for several years.  For those of you a little fuzzy on what Veterans Day is, and how it evolved, you can read about it HERE.

AN EXCELLENT LOCAL CELEBRATION
This year at the Orange County Fair and Event Center on Monday there will be a large free  celebration of veterans hosted by many of California's  organized labor groups.

Workers host community celebration at Orange County Fairgrounds to Support Veterans

Action is part of the statewide “Veterans and Labor – Partners in Service” project sponsored by California’s unions

COSTA MESA – To honor our Country’s veterans, union members, community groups and veterans organizations from across Southern California will be hosting a FREE community celebration at the Orange County Fair and Events Center this Veterans Day.
Veterans, their families and the entire community are invited to celebrate our nation’s heroes with live music and entertainment, free hot dogs, and opportunities to give back by sending care packages overseas and making holiday cards for ailing vets.
The event will also include a special stamp unveiling by the U.S. Postal Service, as well as information about family-supporting jobs, free wheelchairs and access to services for veterans.
The event is being held in conjunction with the new “Veterans and Labor – Partners in Service” project launched earlier this year (www.veteransandlabor.com). Union members all around the state will be participating in volunteer projects and activities throughout the Veterans Day weekend, culminating with this very special “Honoring Our Heroes” veteran appreciation event.
Sponsored by California unions, “Veterans and Labor – Partners in Service” aims to support and raise up veterans on three fronts: providing volunteer service, opening doors to good jobs and a special Veterans Day event to honor our heroes for their service.
WHO: Union members, local leaders, other coalition partners
WHAT: FREE community celebration to honor veterans
WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 11, 2013
WHERE: OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
WHY: Those who serve our country in uniform risk their lives to defend and protect the freedoms we all value. But far too often, our nation’s veterans don’t receive the support they’ve earned or the services they need when returning home. California’s labor unions are taking the lead to change that. Learn more at www.veteransandlabor.com.

REMEMBERING THE VETERANS IN YOUR LIVES
I leave you once again with this very moving video clip with lyrics by Norah Jones.  Find some time this weekend to thank the veterans in your lives.  They deserve your gratitude.

Veterans Day - 2012

HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED...
Today, Sunday November 11, 2012, again marks Veterans Day in the United States.  Many of you will celebrate this day as part of a long holiday weekend.  Others will simply ignore it.  Still others will attend one of the many services around our area that honors those men and women who have served our country proudly as members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

SO MANY...
I hope you will take a minute to honor my fellow veterans - those who served in the many military conflicts that have occurred in my lifetime - World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and other places throughout the world where our military presence has helped keep the peace.

REMEMBERING MY COMRADES IN ARMS
It's been more than four decades since I served this country proudly during the time of the Vietnam conflict.  I remember with great fondness those folks with whom I served, several of which were among the more than 58,000 who gave their lives.  If you wish, you can read other remembrances I've written about this day, beginning with the one I wrote last year, HERE.  Follow the links on that one to previous entries.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Thanks for supporting all of us who served this country.  Hug a veteran today...  And now, Norah Jones will leave us with a little video clip to help mark this day.