...basic criteria. It does not depend upon a recommendation from a superior officer. The Purple Heart confers practical benefits, gaining recipients a higher priority in obtaining medical service from Veterans Affairs medical facilities. But for many soldiers, the Purple Heart is, first and foremost, a badge of courage: A tangible recognition of service, honor, and bravery. Nearly 25,000 soldiers...

...for real yet."  And they're entitled to their opinions.  All I know is that I have seen love, I have found love, and I will do whatever it takes to keep it.   With that all being said, today is Veterans' Day.  As I honor my grandparents for their love and dedication to one another, I honor those who have given their lives and livelihoods to show their love and dedication to the American people...

They don't do poppies here. At least, someone may be handing them out over on main campus; I haven't been to check, but I rather doubt it. Veterans' Day seems to be more forgotten with each passing year. Both of my grandfathers served in the second World War, in the Pacific Theatre. My grandfather Don, a Marine, carried a bullet in his neck for the rest of his life. My grandfather Ed served in the...

Thank you Veterans - new and old - and families for the sacrificies that so often go unsung. Thank you for our country's freedoms, your patience and duty, and for everything you've given and have yet to give. God bless you all.

Dems Fuming Over White House Plan To Make Vets Pay For Service Injuries Democrats in Congress are organizing to squash a White House proposal that would require veterans to use private insurance to pay for treatment of their combat and service-related injuries. In a letter being sent to the White House, a group of House Democrats, led by Rep. Glenn Nye (D-VA), warned that such a proposal...

...front as the guns fell silent and the killing in the trenches finally stopped. The War to End All Wars as it was then known, although it was not to be. Armistice Day in the rest of the world and Veterans' Day for those of us here in the U.S. For all of us, a somber day to remember and to reflect, to come to terms with the reality that far too often, freedom has a very high price. To my American...

To all of those in our armed forces here or abroad, thank you. Thank you dearly.

My parent's generation fought World War II. A second cousin my mother was close to and his best friend, to whom my mother was engaged when he deployed, are interred on the Arizona. For my generation...returned, and to those who've served outside the active theaters, in times of peace, and in those branches of the service that protect this country in other ways. I remember. And I thank you.

Thank you to all of our friends and family who have served or are serving in our armed forces. Your sacrifices and service are part of what makes this nation great. And yes, this especially means you, Wolfie, Shiro, Brandubh, Yoshina, Madog, Carthalo, Vis, Dana, Dad, Harvey, Uncle Harry, Stewart, Alan, Dave, and anyone else I may have missed. Happy Veterans' Day.