I knew today was Veteran’s Day. The kids are out of school on this beautiful Thursday… and well, I just knew it. I had to go to Athens this morning for an appointment and I thought I’d stop by one of my favorite neighborhood cemeteries high on the hill. I found myself leaving the house late and figured, ‘Well, I’ll just stop by later.’

This is what I saw as I headed down the driveway. Indeed we are fortunate here. Relatively speaking, we live in Heaven.
In town after my appointment, I was going to meet my buddy Jack for breakfast and uptown in Athens the streets were blocked off. It was time for the annual Athens, Ohio Veteran’s Day Parade and I fortuitously was there to see it!

Small town America and the brave ones who served as well as those at home who appreciate that service. People might ask me, ‘What about you?’ In the Sixties when I came of age, unlike many of my friends, serving was not my path and that’s just the way it was. I do, however, have profound love and respect for those who have chosen to put their lives on the line to protect our way of life here at home. I do not find this open to discussion.

This is certainly an American moment and I must say that it put a lump in my throat and a tear on my cheek. A moment in time as sacred as rain. I really love this!

These gentlemen would have been younger than my Father were he still alive, but they knew the same world, fought for the same ideals. Thank you gentlemen, for your service!

Boy, I’ll tell you what, these ladies had the spirit. I wouldn’t have missed this for anything. What a moment! Now, when I was on Facebook, I would have been criticized for being patriotic. I consider that to be a compliment. There is nothing wrong with one loving one’s country whateverr country that might be.

This was a moment with generations riding together… sharing this time as it slides into history. I just marveled that I should have been here without planning for it.

Well, this certainly says it all for me!
We’ve got our final weekend of the Ranch coming up and Jack and I need to do some rehearsing. You know, living in a country like ours that allows us to shoot our mouths off and play the music we like just can’t beat. Out in our little Cafe here at the Fur Peace Ranch there is a framed copy of the Stars And Stripes from 1945 noting the ending of WWII. My Father saved, and now Vanessa and I pass it on.
Thanks Brothers and Sister! Thanks!