Small Talk at the VA

I was sitting with some friends at the VA the other day (vets from Vietnam and immediately after), solving the world's problems, as middle aged men are want to do. The topic turned to the kids. Not our offspring, the baby soldiers, sailers, airmen, and marines that are invading our VA in disturbing numbers.
We all agreed that today's young military men and women are the best we've ever known. They enlist and reenllist knowing that they will be asked to sacrifice more than we could have imagined.

This group has been meeting at least weekly for over six months, and this is the only thing we have ever agreed on.

As Veteran's Day approaches, I want to say thanks to our newest brothers and sisters. And, I am sorry you had to join our family.

Let Us Rise Up and Be Thankful

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we have not learned a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we did not learn a little, at least we did not get sick, and if we did get sick, at least we did not die, so let us all be thankful.

From a Buddhist text