Yowie mentioned this.  Now I'll tell you my story.

My 80 year old father enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 at the age
of 17.  This was immediately after Pearl Harbor was attacked.  I have no
idea, nor do historians, why Japan thought they could tackle a country as
large as the United States of America.  We were kinda neutral with the war
in Europe (not that I agree with that) until that happened.

Dad served in the south pacific on a U.S. Navy destroyer.  Afterwards, he
went to college and earned a degree in engineering, then joined back up in
OTS (Officer Training School) and went right back out there.

Dad served in Korea and two tours in Vietnam.  Whether you agree with these
'conflicts' and the current ones or not, my dad was there on the front.
Shot twice; two purple hearts.  Awarded the bronze star and silver star for
valor in service.  He retired a full bird Colonel at the age of 55 after 30
years of serving the free world.

Thank you, all, for honoring all the men and women who have served to
attempt to obtain peace in this world.

I really think it would be best if *cats* ruled the world.  They settle
skirmishes with fluffed up tails, hissing, some claws and blood drawn, but
they usually leave the area without dead bodies.

Jill