Happy Memorial Day

To all Veterans and especially to my friends who are veterans, “Thank You for Your Service to our Country!”

Freedom is not free and should not be taken for granted. When you celebrate this holiday with your beloved family members, please take a moment to toast or pray for our Veteran Heroes, past and present. They sacrificed much so that we can live in a civilized society as free people with our government beholden to We The People and not the other way around. All our veterans gave time away from family and friends and some even paid the ultimate price. It was not an easy task yet one worthy of their devotion and our appreciation. Our veterans’ families sacrificed as well.

Veterans come in all sizes, shapes, colors, religious and political affiliations and they fought for the same thing we all want..... freedom; respect, the right to coexist peacefully on this Earth, the right to bear arms, and the right to stand on our own two feet and make our own decisions with little interference from the government. The right to be an honorable, civilized, law abiding citizen. does not exist under socialism. We only have to look back to WWII to see how true this is or any war for that matter. Our men and women are always fighting for freedom.

As long as citizens are dependent on the government they will never be free. When the majority of citizens become dependent on the government, we will cease to be a capitalistic nation which is a beacon to all where each of our hopes, dreams, and plans can come true via sweat equity and not hand outs from the government. We each give back to our county by standing united and holding ourselves to a higher standard by being an honorable, civilized, law abiding citizen.

If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a Veteran.

If the opportunity is available, thank a veteran by using the traditional handshake of honorable, civilized citizens: Stand (to show respect), smile, look at their eyes, extend your outstretched right hand vertically (a sign of respect), thumb up, palm open (showing trust and no weapon), grip their hand. Shake hands firmly, “web-to-web” (that web of the skin between the thumb and fingers), and without crushing their knuckles. Hand shakes should be firm, quick (two or three shakes), and free of perspiration. A too limp handshake implies a weak character; the too strong handshake indicates a domineering personality. Introduce yourself by name and thank the veteran for his/her service to our country. Either men or women may extend their hand first.

May our fallen veterans rest in peace and May God continue to Bless All Americans.

Happy Memorial Day to you and yours.

from A Year of Good Manners.com