VETERAN'S DAY MUSINGS FROM A NOT QUITE CIVIL WAR VET

First, Could we as a region and a community find some really meaningful way to honor the two guys who brought this thing back to our community after it was deader than Poor Frozen Teddy Ballgame for 35 years? Not just the brothers and sisters in arms, but our whole tri-state area owes these men an irredeemable debt of gratitute.

Second, hold the pissy letters about what band was there and what band couldn't be there and what it means and whose principal is more patriotic. It was a great day with terrific music. The short form is the participants and onlookers who wanted to be there, were there. That's pretty good. This train has left the station. In future years, more institutions will hop on board.

Third, hold the even more urinary griping about politicians and political action orgs being there. Folks, if you want to be an element of a parade honoring my service, Y'all come. I appreciate it. (Besides, I had some interesting chat with the Tea Party Ladies. I appreciate their patriotism and just hope it's possible to be patriotic without agreeing with all of their doctrine.) Candidates, TP'ers, Officeholders, Fuller Brush Men, Minstrels, Faith Healers. Get in line. As far as this vet is concerned, you're welcome.

Fourth, for those of you who called my name and said "Thank You" or those of you who just pointed at me and said "Thank You," it mattered. I got out when we were spat upon in airports. There weren't a lotta "Thank You's" then. Decades later Those "Thank You(s)" feel pretty good. If you brought your child or grandchild with you to show them it was proper to thank a vet for his/her service, double God Bless you. You're the gift that keeps on giving.