Today is Memorial Day in the USA, a day when we gather together to 
remember those who have served in America's armed forces.  I, for 
one, am grateful for all those men and women who answered their 
country's call to duty.  Whether the war was just or not was not 
their concern, they only saw their duty and did it.  "Ours is not 
to reason why, ours is but to do and die".

While never serving in the military, I was a civilian contractor 
to the US Army during the Gulf War, and I like to think that I did 
my (little) part in assisting our great country's war effort.  I 
know we have people on this list who have served (or are serving) 
in the US armed forces, or who are currently civilian contractors 
to them, and I say "Thank you" for doing your part.  For those 
who are not here to receive these thanks, we owe a far greater 
debt than we can ever repay.  "The cost of freedom is eternal 
vigilance" and there is another quote that I can't recall in 
its entirety.  Something about "Liberty must be refreshed from 
time to time with the blood of patriots".

Anyway, this is not meant to glorify war nor to say that America 
is better than any other country (although I think it is!), but 
merely to convey my heart-felt thanks to all those who served 
their country when called to do so.

All gave some.  Some gave all.

Jim Phillips

(Obviously, my opinion only)