Music Video: Alicia Keys - No One

Honoring All Who Served

November 11, 2007 a day to stop and donate some thought at the very least to the men and women who have served our country throughout time.

For war-veterans today is a day that we look each other in the eye and with out words we communicate a life time of higher understanding. We communicate a higher understanding of life, freedom, brotherhood, family and more. Without words we thank the other for running face first into danger by our side.

For all others it is a time to find a quiet moment to say a prayer for all who have served and their families. The commitment goes way beyond "the tour", it is a lifetime commitment for which we veterans deal with on a daily basis.

Please find a veteran today, stop them and shake their hand. Thank them for their service to our country. Thank them for the commitment they made, thank them for the burden they carry with them every day.

To get more involved please take time to visit the Department of Veterans Affairs web site. The site contains links and other great learning resources pertaining to honoring those who have served.

May we never forget!

UPI poll suggests 68 percent opposition on Iraq war

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, A United Press International (UPI) poll released says opposition at all time high with 68% of people polled voicing their pessimism about progress in Iraq. Read the UPI story here.

Speaking as someone who has been there, I really do wish that people could see all of the good things that happen in Iraq. Not saying whether I think we should be there or not, just have a deep understanding of the slanted view the general public gets here in the United States. Does the good out weigh the bad? No, I don't think so, at least not in the immediate future but in the long run perhaps. When all you see on the news is people crying in desperation and trash and rubble in the streets I can definitely understand peoples opinions. Think for a moment about what it is like to see the look on people faces when you are giving them food, clothing, medical supplies, and a taste of what freedom is like.

I recall when I first arrived in Iraq that a lot of the local families were too scared to let their kids walk to school. The area I worked in now is fairly secure to the point where I have heard reports of how safe it is for anyone to walk the streets in that city. Unheard of when we first arrived. Absorb what you see on the news but I implore you to talk to soldiers and Marines who have been there to hear there stories. To really develop a balanced view and opinion on what is going on there you must broaden your array of sources beyond just the most mainstream news networks.

Should our men and women come home? Of course... I think they should come home now. A reorganization and new direction is something we need when it comes to the war on terror. But while we are there lets make sure to support our troops and realize they are doing many great things for the citizens of Iraq.

Welcome Back to MrManUSA!

The big web site will be back at a later date when I have more time to work on it. For now The blog will stand here, and I hope to offer lots of great articles for your reading enjoyment! Feel free to leave comments on any of the articles I post here. If you have any contributions to make on anything I write here let me know and I will include what you have to say. Talk to you soon! ...and no my last name is not Man!

~MrManUSA