Memorial Day Ramblings

Memorial Day Ramblings
Memorial Day Weekend-

Please Remember Our Veterans' On Memorial Day, and every day, please pause for a moment or two to consider the sacrifices of all Veterans' who have given freely, so that we all may and may always enjoy our freedom. As it was their job to defend our freedom, so it becomes our job to honor their memories.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Memorial Day 2007)


Memorial Day©

Memorial Day, once a time, to commemorate,
those who have fought & died in wars, to keep us great.
Those feelings, now I fear, have greatly weakened,
instead replaced, by America’s love, of the 3 day weekend.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Memorial Day 2007Memorial Day Ramblings:

For Our Forgotten Veterans©

For those who served, but were not served in return

we thank you we salute you we pray for you we offer our hand to you…

we pledge you will never be forgotten again.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, For Our Forgotten Veterans©)

A Sailor's Uniform©

It seems a long time since this once young sailor wore that uniform,

but my pride in what it stands for is as new as today?

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick's Random Ramblings, A Sailor's Uniform©)

One Veterans Pledge©

When it was my time, I served. My sons served, because I shared with them the value and meaning of serving. I wear the badge of doing the right thing, but also the pain of sending my sons into harms way.

Today I can justify that it still is right, but am troubled over the pain my son has and the pain of so many other sons and daughters and the pain of their loved ones, who, like myself, sent them off to war.

So, today, I proudly serve our Veterans in the best ways I can. I am an activist for Veterans issues, I honor our standing military and I help with health and well being issues of our Veterans of all Era’s and for the active duty military of today. This is the focus, this is our purpose, this is what we owe to our Veterans.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Memorial Day 2007)

Have a safe, enjoyable and refective Memorial Day weekend. rgsjesshuster@charter.net)

My heart is heavy©

My heart is heavy, but its a better one, because I've known my comrades, and shared their pain....

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, My heart is heavy©)


A Sailor's Uniform©

It seems a long time since this once young sailor wore that uniform,
but my pride in what it stands for is as new as today?

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick's Random Ramblings, A Sailor's Uniform©)

One Veterans Pledge©

When it was my time, I served. My sons served, because I shared with them the value and meaning of serving. I wear the badge of doing the right thing, but also the pain of sending my sons into harms way. Today I can justify that it still is right, but am troubled over the pain my son has and the pain of so many other sons and daughters and the pain of their loved ones, who, like myself, sent them off to war. So, today, I proudly serve our Veterans in the best ways I can. I am an activist for Veterans issues, I honor our standing military and I help with health and well being issues of our Veterans of all Era’s and for the active duty military of today. This is the focus, this is our purpose, this is what we owe to our Veterans.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Memorial Day 2007)
Have a safe, enjoyable and reflective Memorial Day weekend....rgs rgsjesshuster@charter.net

Mother’s Day Ramblings

Mother’s Day Ramblings©

Mother’s Day, is soon upon us,
from whence we came, it does remind us.
From time to time, we contemplate,
her loving sacrifices and care so great.

Richard G. Shuster, (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Ramblings for May©)

Happy Mother's Day©

A special wish for you all, who are today, or may, be in the future, Mothers.
To Wives, to Mom's and to all Grandmas,to Daughters and the Wives of Sons and to all Sisters, of their Brothers.

A special day, indeed it is,to commemorate, the art of Motherhood.
A lifetime of dedication, born of love, nurtured, truly only, as a Mother could.

Devotion, care and worry,with many tiring days and many sleepless nights.
Loving struggles, to maintain hearth and home,and to make all things alright.

While growing up, she made well again, all bruises, cuts and scrapes and broken hearts as well.
Mother cured them all, with hugs and smiles and cookies, and other special secret things, we promised not to tell.

Our special thanks to you,and to Mothers everywhere.
For on our Mom's knee we learned, of love and hope and what it means to care.

Happy Mother's DayRichard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Happy Mother's Day©)


Happy Mother's Day to the Mothers of All Our Grandchildren©

Just wishing each of you a great Mother's Day and thanking you, for all the beautiful and special Grandchildren you have brought into our lives....Each of the Grandchildren is a blessing and of special value to us. We love them all and know they are in good hands. Motherhood is not an easy task, nor one to be taken lightly. God has entrusted their well being and care to you. We know each of you is the best Mother you can be and the lives of your children reflect the wonderful job you are doing. Thank you for bringing these special spirits into our lives.

This is written for the Mothers of our currently numbered 19 Grandchildren. Thank you to the Mothers of all our Grandchildren.Richard G. Shuster (from Rick's Random Ramblings, Happy Mother's Day to the Mothers of All Our Grandchildren©)

Treasure Boxes©

Treasure Boxes are fun and sad and often filled with marvelous items, the kind mostly of which memories are made. A photo of that most special person in your life, a lock of hair from a child or was it a long ago sweetheart, a broach that was Great Grandmas’, the one with the pin missing; one baby shoe, the other got lost in a move long ago, a pocket/purse bible, with now hard to read, almost scribbling, a fervent prayer written inside the back cover, when a child was ill and hope was stretched beyond it’s limits. A poem from a friend that always brought a smile, an old coin, from some far away land, a child written note that had I love you scrawled across it, an obituary yellowed with age, someone you don’t know, wonder who that was? An embroidered handkerchief only used to dry up tears. And what’s this in the bottom?, another photo, I wonder who it is, I’m sure it’s someone special, oh look, it is my picture, excuse me please, I need to cry, I wish I didn’t cry like this, but I miss her so much, especially today, you see, I’ve been going through the Treasure Box.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Treasure Boxes©) Dedicated to all Mothers and Grandmothers who left us their Treasure Boxes and to all of those of us who have gone through their Treasure Boxes after our Moms and Grammas have gone. It seems the Treasure Boxes live long after their owners have gone on to their great reward.

A Nurse Is More

A Nurse Is More©

A Nurse is more, Why?
Though nobody, can say why, for sure,
Nurse's desire, for service, is pure.
Not for themselves, it has to be for others.
A life dedicated, to their sisters and their brothers.

A Nurse is more, How?
Through reserves, of strength, care and love,
Nurses take their lead, from the power above.
Above and beyond, their duty comes first.
Their patient's needs paramount, before even hunger and thirst.

A Nurse is more, When?
When we need them the most, at our times of ill,
Nurses come through, with their care and goodwill.
When we feel we can't go on, and wish, to give up the ghost.
That's when our Nurses, give it their most.

A Nurse is more, Where?
In the hospital, the battlefield, the clinic, school, home or hospice,
Nurses are there, in the ER, the OR, the workplace, and medical office.
Where we are, to go for our care, thankfully, we find Nurses there.
Aging, sick, fearful, weary, we turn to Nurses, and know they care.

A Nurse is more,
A Nurse is more, much more than all we've said, or all we can say,
other than, to acknowledge the Nurses, who so brighten our day.
In gratitude, we thank Nurses, their willingness to serve, we find so appealing,
bringing to us, their comfort, wisdom, compassion and healing.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, A Nurse Is More©)
A Nurse is More© was written to honor all Nurses and Dedicated to Jeannine E. Shuster, R.N.
May is Nurses Month, Honor a Nurse. Permission is granted to reproduce this poem for any Nurses forum.
Nurse's Week and Nurse's Day are during May. If you know a Nurse, are related to a Nurse, or just would
like to thank a Nurse, please send or give a copy of this poem.
rgsjesshuster@charter.net

Ramblings for May

Ramblings for May©

May begins, the month of flowers,
as Mother Earth, unfolds her powers.
Garden planting, get out the tools.
Summer’s coming, clean out the pools.

Mother’s Day, is soon upon us,
from whence we came, it does remind us.
From time to time, we contemplate,
her loving sacrifices and care so great.

Fertilized it, so it would look nice.
Think I used it, only twice.
Out of breath, can hardly speak,
the lawn, now needs mowing, twice a week.

Memorial Day, once a time, to commemorate,
those who have died in wars, to keep us great.
Those feelings, now I fear, have greatly weakened,
instead replaced, by America’s love, of the 3 day weekend.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Ramblings for May©)

25 Apr 2007 In Observance of Anzac Day

25 Apr 2007 In Observance of Anzac Day

To our friends and allies from Australia and New Zealand, for your Veterans of the past 92 years of protecting the freedoms of the world, to your valiant who served and serve yet today, to all Veterans from “down-under”, we thank you and honor you today and everyday.

Thank you for your honored service.

Richard G. Shuster(from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Anzac Day)

Treasure Boxes

Treasure Boxes©

Treasure Boxes are fun and sad and often filled with marvelous items, the kind mostly of which memories are made. A photo of that most special woman in your life, a lock of hair from a child or was it a long ago sweetheart, a broach that was Great Grandmas’, the one with the pin missing; one baby shoe, the other got lost in a move long ago, a purse bible, with now hard to read, almost scribbling, a fervent prayer written inside the back cover, when a child was ill and hope was stretched beyond it’s limits. A poem from a friend that always brought a smile, an old coin, from some far away land, a child written note that had I love you scrawled across it, an obituary yellowed with age, someone you don’t know, wonder who he was? An embroidered handkerchief only used to dry up tears. And what’s this in the bottom?, another photo, I wonder who it is, I’m sure it’s someone special, oh look, it is my picture, excuse me please, I need to cry, I wish I didn’t cry like this, but I miss her so much, especially today, you see, I’ve been going through the Treasure Box.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Treasure Boxes©) Written in memory and love for all the Grandmas and Moms who ever were. The keepers of Treasure Boxes, that live long after they are gone to meet with God.

Trust and Respect

Trust and Respect©

It is important, I have learned in the most painful of ways, to never do anything or treat anyone, in such a manner that it destroys the trust and respect of the relationship and of each other. As devastating it is to one another, it destroys even worse the trust and respect for self. When that occurs, all that one has believed and held in value is eroded into meaninglessness and empty occupying of space. Forgiveness by others is possible but difficult to obtain. Forgiveness of self may never come, leaving only misery, doubt, and lonely emptiness.

Richard G. Shuster, (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Trust and Respect©)

Life is a Patchwork Quilt

Life is a Patchwork Quilt©

Each unique and special quality of the individual is best enhanced when joined in common cause with others as unique and special in their own right. Consider each as a patch in the quilt of humanity.

In order to make the quilt, it requires those extra special individuals who can join the patches together and produce the finished product, showing us all how much better we really can be when joined together in a common cause.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick's Random Ramblings, Life is a Patchwork Quilt©)

It is not my job to prove you wrong

It is not my job to prove you wrong©

It is not my job to prove you wrong, only to open your thoughts and the thoughts of others.

My point was about how poorly Republicans and Democrats, Conservatives and Liberals alike care for our military personnel and veterans and their families.

Those who give and have given it all for us are now too often left without adequate medical care and others left to beg in the streets. Administration after administration has provided flowery praise about their troops and vets, but it has been lip service at best.

We have 30 Million Veterans living who have served their country and another half a million standing military deployed, non-deployed active and active reserve/guard.

Our long history and current policies regarding the care of our veterans and their loved ones is pitiful. We have an obligation to our military and veterans that has not and is not being fulfilled.

If only, any would have paid heed to the wise words of our first President, George Washington: "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation."-George Washington–

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick's Random Ramblings, It is not my job to prove you wrong©)

Who Were Our Immigrant Ancestors?

Who Were Our Immigrant Ancestors? ©

Beginning with 1638 and since, from public records, all our family ancestors came in the legal way, from Germany, Normandy, and all over the British Isles; England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales.

They came, they worked, they built, they protected and cared for their families and became Americans. Some spoke German, others Gaelic, some English and other dialects, too, but all adopted English as their language for it was the language of America.

They paid their taxes and contributed to their communities, their churches and those in need.

They shared their children as soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen and fiercely supported and defended their country, America.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Who Were Our Immigrant Ancestors? ©)

Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned©

Because the teacher has departed on a new journey,
does not mean the student has forgotten the lessons learned....

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Lessons Learned©)

Keeping History Alive

Keeping History Alive©

I was blessed to grow-up in Pennsylvania. I need not tell you of the wealth of this nation’s history that occurred in the Commonwealth colony of Penn’s Woods.

I was exposed, from my earliest remembrances, by family, community and schools to the richness of our history. I was blessed with teachers who took the time to point out our local history, our state’s role in the beginnings of what became the United States and mostly of the people who were part of it all. We learned about not only the well-known’s, but our un-known’s, as well; all the peoples of so many ethnic and religious backgrounds and their origins. We became proud of our diversity through our being united in cause and home and hope for a better future. We did not place our differences ahead of our commonalities. We built our lives on both.

My family, paternal and maternal, has representative histories of most of the early settlers of this continent. Starting in the 1600s, continuing through the 1700’s and 1800’s, they came. They came hopeful, they came brave, they came humble and they came grateful. They adopted and were adopted by the new land they now called home. They built the farms, villages, towns and great cities, they established trade and commerce, they raised and loved their families, they tilled the land, they built their houses of worship, they donned the uniforms of freedom, they depended upon their faith in an Almighty God to see them through and they were part of the development of the greatest experiment in the history of humanity, the experiment of a representative democratic-republic, a land of freedom, a land of expression, a land of liberty, and a land of justice, for all.

To have lived in the once colonial frontiers where Washington walked as a young man in the King’s service during the French and Indian Wars; To have ancestors mentioned in Washington’s early communications with his commanding officer; To have retraced the lawful immigration of ancestors from multiple places in what was then called Europa, to their new homes in the Middle-Atlantic and New England colonies; To follow those brave soul’s paths to and through the known frontiers and beyond; To be familiar and comfortable with the lands and homesteads of those principled adventurers; To visit the hallowed burial spots of so many kin who fought in every war era from the French and Indian Wars, the Revolutionary War , the War of 1812, the Civil War, Spanish American War, WW1, WW2, & Korea. To have experienced these things has kept their history alive in my mind and heart.

I am grateful for the teachers who helped me to learn and understand so much. I am grateful I learned to read the histories of my ancestry, I am grateful I can count my blessings for all the gifts of freedom I have, I am grateful for the sense of history that gives me perspective for today and tomorrow.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Keeping History Alive©)

Senses

Senses©

The need for a sense of history is only exceeded by the need for common sense.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick's Random Ramblings, Senses©)

Happy Birthday America

Happy Birthday America©

Happy Birthday America, somehow it is, you continue to live,
even after all of the times, you gave all you possibly could give.

Of your youngest and best, the promising rest, so many bodies and souls,
standing their guard and in battles reward, in the air, at sea and in foxholes.

Your sacrifices great, spread across the seas, and continents all around this Earth,
under circumstances seemingly impossible, you did what you must, and suffered the dearth.

You have fought bravely against our enemies, both the domestic and the foreign,
and continued proudly, with Old Glory out front, and refused all disdain and scorn.

A call for rights & liberties: and freedom & justice, sprung from New England’s countryside; conceived, protected, birthed and nurtured; a gift from God Almighty, and reason for our pride.

America, as we celebrate your birthday again, in troubled and tragic times, with a new year squarely in our sights, we also celebrate your God given birthday gifts, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Happy Birthday America©)

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend©

Please Remember Our Veterans' On Memorial Day, and every day,
please pause for a moment or two to consider the sacrifices of all Veterans' who have given freely, so that we all may and may always enjoy our freedom.

As it was their job to defend our freedom, so it becomes our job to honor their memories.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Memorial Day Weekend©)

Memorial Day Memories

Memorial Day Memories©

A serious time, yet one that always brings hope….

It seems like yesterday, when but a lad of eleven, twelve and thirteen, back in Union City, PA. I was a junior member of the VFW Post Drum and Bugle Corps, an adventure I shall never forget and always cherish. A time that I learned of wars and of those who fought them and those who remained at home to await the return of their loved ones. I learned the deepest respect for the old timers and their stories of valor and fear and faith and courage, often in eulogies at graveside. The drums beat cadence, the glockenspiels called the order, and the bugles recalled taps in honor of all who passed in the line of duty, as they have done for time beyond my memory and will, I hope, long after I am gone.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Memorial Day Memories©)

Memorial Day

Memorial Day©

Memorial Day, once a time, to commemorate,
those who have fought & died in wars, to keep us great.
Those feelings, now I fear, have greatly weakened,
instead replaced, by America’s love, of the 3 day weekend.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Memorial Day©)

To Be Informed

To Be Informed©

To be informed is to be armed,
against the war of misinformation....

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick's Random Ramblings, To be Informed©)

Not Knowing

Not Knowing©

Not knowing one's adversary is understandable,
not knowing one's ally is unforgivable.....

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Not Knowing©)

Commitment to Independence©

Commitment to Independence©

Commitment to Independence, on July 4th is made,
gratefully, with picnics, and fireworks, after the parade.
Great sacrifices remembered, for liberty and freedom,
continued this day, protecting county, family and home.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick's Ramblings, Independence Day©, July 4th )

Freedom

Freedom©

Only our individual faith in freedom can keep us free....

rgs Rick’s Random Ramblings 2000©


Freedom©

Freedom is perhaps best described, as the absence of fear....

rgs Rick’s Random Ramblings 2001©


The Price of Freedom©

Freedom is never free...
The cost is great, the reward is greater...

rgs Rick’s Random Ramblings 2002©


Freedom©

Without privacy,
there is no freedom.

rgs Rick’s Random Ramblings 2002©


Freedom from Self©

Freedom from self is best attained,
through service to others.

rgs Rick’s Random Ramblings 2003©


Freedom in the Spirit©

Freedom lives eternally in the spirit of man,
for man receives his spirit from God and
God is the Creator of all freedom.

rgs Rick’s Random Ramblings 2004©


Freedom Is Not Ours, to Take©

Freedom is not ours, to take from another.
Freedom is ours, to freely give to another.

rgs Rick’s Random Ramblings 2005©


Freedom 2006©

To be free and stand strong for freedom
is much different from being enslaved and
begging for any freedom we can get.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Freedom©)

My heart is heavy

My heart is heavy©

My heart is heavy,
but it’s a better one,
because I've known my comrades,
and shared their pain....

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, My heart is heavy©)

Serving Others

Serving Others©

Indeed, a task of proportions many do not know, to serve others with only the knowledge that you do your best, thankless more often than not, but for the times of seeing a process improved, a better way found, or a family helped to the point they now help themselves and others, all is worth the while….. it is always right to work each today, always with understanding of the past, always to help create for the better future…..for all.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Serving Others ©)

Take the Time

Take the Time©

Take the time and make the effort,
to honor today’s men & women in uniform,
and remember always our nation’s Veterans,
those who yesterday proudly wore their uniforms.

Richard G. Shuster, (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Take the Time©)

11/11 at 11 AM

11/11 at 11 AM©


11/11 at 11 AM; Remembering all our Veterans, bygone and with us yet today.

Each year, we stop to express our thanks, for all their many sacrifices.

Never forgetting our Veterans and always remaining supportive to all of them.

Our being grateful for them is, after-all, a very small price for us to pay.


Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, 11/11 at 11 AM ©)

You Asked: Were you in Vietnam?

You Asked: Were you in Vietnam? ©

Dear Friend;

Lots of stories swarm around the topic of Vietnam, but not all are real positive….suffice it to say, controversy is not new to us.

Yes, thank you for your thanks, you are welcome, we who enlisted and many others that were drafted, did what we could do. And it is heart wrenching, even yet, perhaps even more today, for personal reconciliation with the many souls listed on “The Wall”.

Now to address your question, “Were you in Vietnam?”I served in the Vietnam Era, but never was in-country, instead doing my service in US Navy Hospitals mostly in San Diego & Guam…………

Back home in Pennsylvania, I got my Draft card November of 1962, when things were ramping up and enlisted in late 1963, with a deferment to 1964, after completing my freshman year at college. I thought it would be a good thing to "do my duty", as my friends were either being drafted or enlisting. I chose Navy and Hospital Corps as specialty.

I finished boot camp and completed my Hospital Corps training, and then was stationed for a short time at San Diego Naval Hospital before getting orders for Guam. By the time I got to the Naval Hospital in Guam, daily plane loads of battle injured casualties were arriving at military hospitals in Japan, Philippines, Guam and Hawaii.

I saw the results of war up-close and personal. Recipients of napalm, mortar shells, land mines, strafing, sniper fire and lots more. Since we rotated within the hospital services, not only did I get to work in all aspects of physical medicine, but also pulled about 6 months working in neuro-psychiatric services, where I got to see the results of war not seen in prosthetic limbs nor colostomy bags.

Following a motorcycle accident on Guam, I spent 6 months hospitalized, 3 months each in Guam and Philadelphia Navy Hospitals, upon which determined my discharge from military service.

I served 2 years and went home, to marry, to raise a family and to follow fame and fortune. Fame and fortune did not make an appearance, but I managed to acquire a wife and 5 children and to have survivor's guilt for years. During the years between ‘66 and ‘82, I pretended to know nothing about military service or Vietnam.

I met an old Navy Corpsman buddy in ’82; we met again and went to the Viet Nam Wall the following year and counted at least a hundred of dead friend’s names on the pouring down rain and tear soaked wall.

By the late ‘80s, my 3 sons had donned uniforms, 2 Air Force and 1 Navy, and served honorably in a new time and new kinds of wars. My Navy son, also a Corpsman, served proudly with the Marines in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, during the Gulf War. He returned with physical health difficulties and is now a 100% disabled Vet. My other 2 sons served in other deployments and returned home without any physical ailments or injuries.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, You Asked: Were you in Vietnam? ©)

Inalienable Rights

Inalienable Rights©

Our rights; of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, are guaranteed by our republic's honored constitution and enforced by our men and women in the military.

Today’s military will soon be tomorrow’s Veterans, Be there for them today, as they are there for us. Be there for them tomorrow, as they were for us, always.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick's Random Ramblings, Inalienable Rights©)

We need to stay upon our soapboxes

We need to stay upon our soapboxes

Our young and promising and bright and strong have their necks and butts on the line and are sacrificing all they have, for each and every one of us.

To allow the enemy, foreign or domestic, in any form, under any guise, to undermine and endanger those young men and women in service is to turn our backs on all that we hold proudly; our history, our flag, our country, our military, our veterans, and for all of what we stand.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, We need to stay upon our soapboxes)

Our Protectors, Our Veterans

Our Protectors, Our Veterans©

The lives of some known and many not, have touched us. There's little difference than found in any other war, with caskets holding their bodies, now come home they to rest. They were our protectors, it is their duty they have done, and they did their best, and again, lives of some known and many not, have touched us.

In addition to the horrors and ravages of war itself, during each era of our protectors, our veterans, have had to face such issues as we have seen; issues such as radiation, psychedelics, agent orange, chemicals, biological agents and unproven experimental vaccines. It is my belief that it is our ultimate responsibility to do what we can to minimize these types of issues that were unnecessary to have occurred in the first place. We owe our protectors this, too, for all current and future generations.

If we do not protect our protectors, our veterans, who indeed, will protect them?

The health and well being issues of our protectors, our veterans of all eras and of the reserves, guards, and active duty military of today are real. This should be our focus, this should be our purpose, this should be our commitment, and this is what we owe to our protectors, our veterans.

If we do not protect our protectors, our veterans, who indeed will protect us?

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Our Protectors, Our Veterans©)

VETERANS DAY

VETERANS DAY

Threatening skies, wind and cool, rain came and so did the snow, all restrained, all listened, all sang, all prayed, all gave God praise, all thanked our Veterans, past, current, and future...

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick's Random Ramblings, Veterans Day)

A Sailor's Uniform

A Sailor's Uniform©

It seems a long time since this once young sailor wore that uniform, but my pride in what it stands for is as new as today?

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick's Random Ramblings, A Sailor's Uniform©)

One Veteran’s Pledge

One Veteran’s Pledge©

When it was my time, I served. My sons served, because I shared with them the value and meaning of serving. I wear the badge of doing the right thing, but also the pain of sending my sons into harms way.

Today I can justify that it still is right, but am troubled over the pain my son has and the pain of so many other sons and daughters and the pain of their loved ones, who, like myself, sent them off to war.

So, today, I proudly serve our Veterans in the best ways I can. I am an activist for Veterans issues, I honor our standing military and I help with health and well being issues of our Veterans of all Era’s and for the active duty military of today.

This is the focus, this is our purpose, this is what we owe to our Veterans.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, One Veteran’s Pledge©)

For Our Forgotten Veterans

For Our Forgotten Veterans©

For those who served,but were not served in return,
we thank you, we salute you, we pray for you, we offer our hand to you, we pledge you will never be forgotten again.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, For Our Forgotten Veterans©)

Remembering our Military and Veterans of all eras

Remembering our Military and Veterans of all eras

Together we are Americans

My eyes are filled and overflow for my brother. Though from different clans, we are together in spirit and in pride and have shared the sacred banner and uniform of freedom, for those of past, we did and do today for all those who will follow in the future.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, Together we are Americans)

Remembering our Veterans and Troops

Remembering Our Veterans and Troops

To Never be Forgotten©

How many times has the “story of stories” been repeated, by millions of families throughout the ages since? “He gave His only Begotten Son”, rings on and on. May that sacrifice never be forgotten.

Likewise, millions of other sons and daughters have been given, in their service; to God, to Country, to Family, to Community.
They, too, gave up their begotten children, their loved ones, for us, for all of us, to never be forgotten.

As was His sacrifice, is theirs, for the ever living hope of futures bright, we join in humble gratitude, to honor and to comfort all who need, and to never be forgotten.

Richard G. Shuster (from Rick’s Random Ramblings, To Never be Forgotten©)

http://www.pmimchat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=868