it's a Monday

Today being Veterans Day, I would like give a more thorough list although I stood corrected on my facebook post, here are the immediate relatives or friends that I am aware of who served. There are most likely many more whom I am not aware of but there service for this great country of America hasn't gone unnoticed. America is the land of the free, but it's not free to the families who lose a loved one whether for just the time they serve, or lose a loved one in the fight.

Gregs Dad Burdell, served in the Army and was stationed in Germany in the 50's. Gregs Uncles Delbert and Marlon Symens (3 of 5 brothers)

Our daughter Ashley served in the Army, stationed at Ft. Hood, TX

Her boyfriend Matt Meadows served 6 years Army

cousin Todd Stoltenberg Air Force

cousin Brad Stoltenberg Air Force

Uncle Alvin Blom Marines

cousin Terry Blom Air Force

Uncle Harvey Van Essen in the Korean War

Uncles Ron Van Meeteren in Marines, Roger, Pete, Cory, Monte, and Mark (6 of 10 brothers)

cousin Cory Kosters who gave his life in Iraq at age 19 about 5 years ago. Cory is fortunately the
only one that I know of that lost his life while fighting in a war. And that was one to many but he lived to be a sniper and he excelled at it, an IED took his life in a caravan of humvees. His parents Marlon and Senta Kosters have been just an inspiration as they handled the tragedy and encouraged those who had hoped to comfort them in those very early days and on with the love of Christ as their cornerstone.  Greg flew to Houston TX along with a large number of relatives to honor the life of Cory for his funeral and he was very taken aback by the honor that America gives to its heroes.

I have the Monday Night football game on and as they honored the veterans prior to the game and then the singing of the National Anthem and the large flag unfurled across the field, it just brings tears each time.  They panned across the veterans and had names/wars they fought in.  There just aren't enough words in the thanks for their individual service and the "team" effort they undertake to have solidarity in times of conflict in the midst of their own fears and uncertainty. No matter whether you were a cook, a nurse birthing babies of the service men and womans families, or an infantryman who was on the front lines with everyone else it takes to take on the enemy or a nurse/doctor who takes care of the wounded.. It takes a massive team effort to stand up for freedom and democracy start to finish and I thank you.

on a lighter note:
It's a Monday and as has been the tale of the last three weeks, it's the only day that I have shown up at work.. Tuesday through Friday have been jury duty days as it will be this week, BECAUSE they actually started the trial on Friday of last week. It felt kind of weird driving into the employee parking lot to report to work. My desk today looked alot cleaner than it did each of the two Monday's prior when I came in.. So either I've trained them well to handle some of the issues that come up OR I've trained them to well.. haha.. oh well, I know where I'm needed and so no worries.

For those who had the day off, those of us who did not, we had to take the freeways appreciating your absence on the roadways.

Well, now to watch a football game where the Pittsburg Steelers will most likely ROUT the Kansas City Chiefs, but yet after the first quarter.. KC was up 10-0, and then at half time 10-10 and now the Steelers quarterback is out of the game with a right shoulder injury.. maybe KC has a bigger chance than I first thought..