Veteran's Day

Today is the day we, as a nation, show our appreciation to those who have served their country in the armed forces, and especially those who have served in combat. Their sacrifices (from subsisting on minimal pay and being away from loved ones for extended periods, to the ultimate sacrifice of giving their lives for our country) have kept this great nation, and much of the world, free from tyranny and oppression.

As Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

That lack of action is what allows men like Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, Idi Amin, Saddam Hussein, and Kim Jong Il to flourish. That lack of action is what allows atrocities like Cambodia, Rwanda, and Sudan to kill millions. That lack of action is what allows crime to be so prevailant on our streets. By doing nothing to prevent these things, you give your permission for them to happen.

So thank a soldier or veteran today, because that's someone who has decided to make a difference by serving their country. That's especially true for those who've served in the last 10 years, and knew that they were most likely going to be sent to a combat zone and put in harm's way.