There are two days that are important to me. Memorial Day, where I think about friends both here and gone, and Veteran’s Day, where I think about all the friends I don’t know that gave their lives both figuratively and literally for you and I and our country.

I went into the service as a young man of seventeen and came out a weary old man of twenty-one. War will do that to you. During that journey I made hard and fast friends who are in my thoughts this very day nearly 55 years later. Fewer now that time is catching up with us and those folks are beginning to fall by the wayside.

Patriotism is a strange bedfellow. Everyone says they have it and I’m sure in their minds they believe that they sincerely do. I believe they do too, however it seems that for those who served and those who waited at home to see if their loved ones would come back whole and at peace with themselves, it may be slightly more intense. It’s not a value judgement on those that for one reason or other did not get a chance to serve it’s just how I see it. Your mileage may vary.

Some of the most patriotic people I know are our Native American brothers and sisters that served in the armed services. They have, like all other Americans that served, been in active service of every conflict we’ve had, fighting and dying alongside their brothers in arms for our country. One of my most memorable experiences was marching with the veterans in the opening ceremony of the Shoshone Bannock tribes’ powwow at Ft Hall, Idaho. It was the first time since my service that I had participated in any memorial service and it was and is one of my most gratifying memories.

The image above is the Color Guard that marches in every parade and ceremony that the Crow tribe holds. It is a stirring sight to see these groups parade in honor and celebration of their service and the service of all other members of the Armed Services regardless of race, creed or nationality.

I salute you veterans, and I thank you for your service.