Certain calendar dates remind us all of the sacrifices made by a special few that allow each of us to enjoy so many blessings that much of the worlds population can achieve only in their dreams.

Veterans Day is one of those dates. I once heard my father say he was sure glad someone in our family tree decided to leave Ireland and by doing so afford him to have a wonderful life in the this great nation. My father showed his gratitude by serving as a First Sergeant in General Patton's 16th Armored Division, Patton's 3rd Army.

My father was thankful someone back in the day decided to come to the United States. Well, I am grateful to my father for so many things including taking the time teach me to hunt and fish and to love and respect the great outdoors.

He also taught me to be thankful to those who have served us all. My father passed away in 1997. So I would like to thank all of the TFF family who so courageously put their lives on the line both in times of war and in times of peace knowing at any moment that service could put them in harms way.


None of us would be able to wet a line or hunt game as we choose without you.
God Bless each and every one of you.

Fantastic article and well written. Thanks for the article.

Thank you Nitro,
There are many on this forum who have served in our armed forces. One member who I have had the pleasure of knowing and fishing by his side at Lake Weatherford fishing barge is Benny TFF Member BJH(JUSTGIGGING). He is a crappie fisherman and he will school me every time in a fish to fish catch ratio.

He served in Vietnam and survived only to come home and spend a career as a fireman. Talk about a servant heart. Think about that, he gave all he had to keep society safe both abroad and here at home.

And there are so many like him on this forum. They each deserve our utmost respect and appreciation.

I'm a Active Duty member of the USAF but I will never see combat with my job. I thank every Marine and Army guy I meet, they are the majority who put it all on the line and for that I am grateful! Happy Veterans day to all that have served! Spending my day off tomorrow kicked back on the Guadalupe river drifting for catfish!

Mr. Foster, thank you for your service. I think of my father often and when memories of the time we spent together in the field hunting or on a bank fishing, those are some of my favorite memories. Although I believe he is no longer of this earth I will go to Greenwood Cemetery and pay my respects. For a cemetery, Greenwood is particularly majestic on Memorial Day and Veterans Day with small American Flags placed on the graves of those who have served.

There was a young man from my high school; Bobby Roberts, who enlisted and was killed in a parachuting training exercise not long after joining. I remember upon hearing the news of his death thinking how we had just recently walked across the stage for graduation with the hopes and dreams that all young people have for their lives and his was now over, it is beyond my understanding why so many of the least selfish Americans don't get to enjoy the many blessings we all have when they are the ones that made those blessings possible.

I hope others will share if they themselves served so that we can thank them or to honor someone who is currently serving or has served.

Mike thanks for reminding us of what we have because of our service men and women!

I heard on the radio this morning something that so many of us also forget to give thanks for. We have to give thanks to all of the organizations that work so hard to help our returned veterans with their life struggles once they get back home. Unfortunately some return to a much worse battle than what they experienced!

Continue to pray and support these organizations as well as vets!!

God Bless America!

Thank you Mike for sharing these kind and meaningful words that should touch our hearts.

I spent 23.5 years in the USAF in mostly non-combative roles. Flew a couple of combat missions in Vietnam and on ICBM crew for 5 years. I have nothing but the utmost respect for all other veterans, but for combat vets - supreme respect and thanks. Our soldiers and Marines are tops! Thanks to each of you who served, no matter how or when.