MILITARY TRIBUTE PAGE
I am a bit of a history buff. I tell my students and my kids all the time that they need to pay more attention to history, because it's all about the people who came before us who did the things that made our country what it is today. Nowhere is that more true than in the military.
Every day at my school, we stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. After our daily announcements, the speaker says, "And now for those who wish to participate, please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance." I usually have about 5-10 kids who choose not to participate, and many of the ones who do, don't recite the pledge, they just stand and look bored. This disturbs me.
Decorum and rules prohibit me from giving an empassioned speech in my classroom to the kids as to why they should be saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and saying it with feeling. Right now, I'm not in my class. I paid for this website with my own money, so I'm going to say what I think right here and right now.
A lot of men and women have given their lives so we can enjoy the way of life we have today, a life with incredible freedom and opportunity available nowhere else in the world. You may not agree with the reasons for war or the politicians who have led us into war. But you had better respect the people who serve in our military to protect our way of life. Those people are heroes. Watch Ken Burns' documentary on World War II or the Civil War sometime and see what real bravery looks like. It's one thing to talk about doing brave things and risking your life. It's quite another to actually do it. Those guys actually did it.
My brother is retired United States Air Force. I have all the respect in the world for him and for the people with whom he served our country. I recently watched a movie called Taking Chance, the true story of a Marine officer who volunteered to escort the body of a fallen Marine back to his hometown. He was taken aback by the degree of respect and dignity shown the young Marine during his trip, and it was among the more powerful movies I've ever watched. Through my brother, I have witnessed the degree of sacrifice that our military people undergo throughout their careers, for very little pay or recognition, and I think it's about time that changed. We need to start calling out our military people and recognizing them for the heroes that they are. This page is going to be the beginning of my small contribution. If you are in the military or ever have been, even if you were in the reserves, I'd like to hear from you at oldguyrules@gmail.com. If you will send me your name and when you served, I will post your name on this page as a tribute to your service and sacrifice for our country. This is my way of saluting you and saying THANK YOU for everything you have done.
Tribute Video
Click on the link below to watch a short video on how people are honoring our military.
The link below is a worthwhile charity that flies World War II vets to see the memorials and monuments in Washington, D.C. that are dedicated to the men who fought in that war.
Remembrance
This is a poem written by an American fighter pilot named John Gillespie McGee, Jr., who went to Britain in 1940 at the age of 18 to fly against the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain. He was killed on December 11, 1941. His poem, Remembrance, was written not long before his death. I have always felt that fighter pilots are among the bravest men who have ever lived, and this poem captures their essence in many respects. A big tip of the cap to Bill Yenne, who includes the poem in his great book Aces High, which I have included on my book recommendation page on this website.
REMEMBRANCE
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings.
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds--and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of--wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along and flung
My eager craft through the footless halls of air,
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew.
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high, untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
