I was watching the Veteran's Day Observance Ceremony at the National WWII Monument, and it was very beautiful. Even though I was in my own house I stood up and put my hand over my heart when the honor guard performed the national anthem. I am very patriotic. Lots of people got up and spoke giving praise to all those men and women that sacrificed so much to give us the freedom we enjoy today, which every one of them so deeply deserve. I could never thank the men and women of our military enough.
But one thing struck me.
What about the brave and loyal dogs that helped us win every war we have ever fought? Many of which suffered and died in the line of duty just like our soldiers. And let us never forget about the brave dogs that were thought of as nothing more then used equipment and were abandoned in Vietnam. There are veterans today that were the companions of those dogs that never got over leaving behind their comrade in arms in the jungles of Southeast Asia. Whoever in the government implemented that mandate - well, I don't know how they can live with themselves. And what about the cavalry that pulled the equipment and carried the soldiers into the Great Wars? Europe was littered with their corps after they was over. Being the animal lover and conservative animal rights person that I am, I would even go so far as to give tribute to the carrier pigeons that were used to send messages during WWI and WWII. They may have been using only instinct to carry out their mission, but it was a mission non the less and they still gave their lives and helped us win the wars that kept the world safe from such evil it is still hard to imagine. So this is my tribute to all our, 'Smaller Brethren," as Saint Francis would call our animal friends. This is in honor of all our animal comrades that wear the same badge of any man or woman veteran of any war, and deserve the same thanks, appreciation and honor.
