VETERANS' DAY thoughts from my email:

Veterans Day ... what does it mean to you? Well, for me it is special...it's the day we pause to honor those who have served. I did for 28 years. Glad I did and there's not a day that goes by that I don't miss being in the US Army, with my troops, doing the hard things, working, training, pushing ourselves to higher levels of performance. And then there's the war. Mine was Desert Storm, the 1st Gulf War; one I had hoped would be the last. But that's another story.

I can recall when I spoke to my troops the day we left the port of Dammam, Saudi Arabia to deploy to the desert to take our initial positions for the invasion. We were members of the 1st Infantry Division, the Big Red One. We were all very aware of our storied history of accomplishment and the ones who had gone before, who had risked all and many who had given the last full measure of devotion. Now it was our turn. I looked into the faces of those men and I told them that we were there to do a job. We would do it, some of us may not come back-and some didn't-but that we would do our duty just as the motto of the Big Red One says: "No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great, Duty First". At no time in the history of that motto was it more meaningful than the day the 1St Division stormed Normandy Beach in France on June 6th 1944. The images and meaning of that day, the Longest Day, were with us as we went out into the desert to take our place in the annals of a great Division. I could see in the faces of my troops that day that they understood why they were there and what they were called to do.

Do you know what I'm thinking about today? I'm thinking about their faces....

Never Forget,

Scott Ligamfelter
Virginia House of Delegates

And

Our country is blessed with an unbroken line of patriotism, sacrifice and valor in military service that dates back to the American Revolution. Today as we observe Veterans Day, I extend my sincere appreciation to all veterans, to those now in uniform, and to every military family.

I know the sense of honor, humility and commitment that comes with the oath to defend the United States of America and our Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic, and with wearing the uniform. For, you see, one of the greatest days of my life was when, as an eighteen year-old, I was sworn in as a U.S. Marine.

After graduating from the Medical College of Georgia, I became a medical officer in the Navy Reserves. In that position, I continue to uphold my military oath and perform my duties.

Please join me in giving thanks for freedom and those who have made it possible, and in praying for our nation's peace, safety and security.

Sincerely,

Representative Paul Broun, M.D.
Georgia 10th District

Both men are Republicans. I have heard nothing from my Democrat political contacts.