Tie the season for crime. Criminals have kids
and family too. For some reason, criminals think they are entitled to what you
have. While you are out shopping here are a couple things to think about:
Watch for anyone trying to get to close to
you or bumping into you. It may be a mistake or you may have just lost your
wallet.
Don't carry all your Christmas cash in one
spot. Have some in each pocket so you aren't flashing a wad every time you pay
for something. Women don't put everything in your purse. If someone takes your
purse, can you even get home? Put a couple things in your pocket
Think about multiple trips so everything
you bought at BestBuy is not sitting in the car while you go into target.
That big screen TV you just bought looks as nice to a thief as it does to
you.
My free lunch didn’t go so well. I wanted to go to Texas Road House, but I
went to lunch with my wife (A Little
Slice of Life) and kid. They opened
at 11. We got there 15 minutes early,
and so did everyone else. So I thought
we’d go to Best Buy for a router, which they didn’t have. We went across town to get one.
We stopped at another Texas Road House and the wait was an
hour long. Across the street was a Chili’s
that was also doing free lunch for Vets.
We had a great meal with good service and only had to wait about 10
minutes.
It was nice to be around all these Veterans. The place had a great vibe, and at every
table there seemed to be people telling war stories. It was a lot of fun.
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month the guns fell silent. November 11, 1918 become the end of the “Great War.” The world hoped it was the “War to End all Wars.” It didn’t take long for us to learn that war will continue.
May 13, 1938 by an act of congress November 11 became a national holiday called “Armistice Day.” After World War II and Korea, congress amended the 1938 act in 1954 changing the name to Veterans Day to honor veterans or all the wars.
At one point (1971-1975) congress tried to make Veterans Day a floating holiday to create a three day weekend. There was uproar from the people and Veterans Day was changed back to November 11.
Lately I think Veterans Day is fading. After September 11, 2001, everyone honored our veterans, now we are starting to forget.
Here is a different reason to thank our Veterans. When someone joins the American Military they lose all of their rights and freedoms. They do this willingly for the term of their contract plus a couple extra years.
I learned this the hard way when I joined the Marine Corps October 13, 1998 (no I didn’t have to look up this date; it’s the day I reported for boot camp). From the time I stepped off the bus the Marine Corps told me when I could eat, when I could sleep, if I could make phone calls, and even controlled what news and mail I got from the outside world.
Once out of boot camp this continued. I was told when and where to report, when I got off duty, and where I could go when I was off duty. They controlled my entire life while I was on active duty.
Just remember to thank a Veteran today, they willing gave up their freedom so you could have yours.
My favorite Texas restaurant, Texas Roadhouse, is giving free lunches to Veterans on Veterans Day from 11am to 2pm. Your can bet I'll be there!
Ben
Modern Self Protection
On November 10, 1775 the 2nd Continental Congress decreed:
That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one Colonel, two lieutenant-colonels, two majors and other officers, as usual in other regiments; that they consist of an equal number of privates as with other battalions, that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to offices, or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve for and during the present war with Great Britain and the Colonies; unless dismissed by Congress; that they be distinguished by the names of the First and Second Battalions of Marines.
So began the legend of the United States Marine Corps. In true Marine Corps fashion, the first Marine Commandant, Captain Samuel Nicholas, went to Tun Tavern, Virginia to recruit Marines.
Over the last 236 years the Marine Corps has fought in every clime and place, from the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli. They were America’s first to fight in the Battle of Nassau, March 3, 1776. Now they stand as America’s force in readiness.
The Marine Corps is the greatest fighting force the world has ever known, and may ever see. It has proven this time and time again, doing what was said to be impossible. Over the last 100 years the legend has grown more as Marines have done the impossible again and again. In WWI they earned the title “Teufel Hunden” or Devil Dogs during the Battle of Belleau Wood. The woods were said to be impossible to take, but the Marines fought with such ferocity the Germans couldn’t believe they were human and started calling them Teufel Hunden.
The Marines landed at Inchon, Korea in a battle that was designed to fail. The Marines surprised General MacArthur by taking the Port City and pushing inland. Like most modern day Marine forces they were only forced to stop advancing because they outran their supply chains.
During the first Gulf War Iraqi troops were told that a man had to kill and eat his family to become a Marine. The idea was to have the forces fight harder, but they were so terrified they ran when faced with Marines.
In Afghanistan, the Army said it was impossible to fly hundreds of miles over enemy territory and take Kabul Airport to gain a foothold to start the war.
And then in Iraq, 2003 the Marines were the diversionary force while the Army drove around to take Baghdad. The Marines turned it into a race and arrived at the same time as the Army. After Baghdad was taken and Saddam said he was still in charge in Tikrit, America sent the Marines, and in less than a day the city was taken.
These legends will grow as Marines continue to fight and win all over the globe.
So if you see any Marines today, tell them Happy Birthday. They will know what you are talking about and appreciate it.
