Fixing fence is the one of the hardest jobs on a ranch. I no longer live on a ranch, but I do know what hard work is. Fences are everyone's concern, but nowadays,the "hole" is always your neighbor's side not your own. It used to be that you would respect your neighbor and mend the fence together. If their cows got in your field, a simple phone call resolved the problem. You might even saddle up your own horse and help them gather them up. We need more people who are willing to roll their sleeves up and fix the fence regardless of who your neighbor is. There are people in this country who need to be reminded that a fence is like the way you should conduct your life. Your posts should be straight and neat. The wire needs to be stretched tight and your gate might be closed, but can still be easily opened. And most of all, we can all saddle up together and ride the range, it won't matter if you have an Appaloosa, Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred. The cows still have to be gathered, fences have to be fixed, and the range is a wide open space of opportunity for us all.

Honor A Vet

Posted Sunday, November 9, 2014, at 12:30 PM

Joe Howard, a dedicated soldier and friend.

George Washington once said this," The Willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their Nation." November 10, 1781.

We are all painfully aware of the shameful times in our nation's history when our military has not been treated with the dignity and honor that they deserve.

Our most recent memories, if you are of a certain age; the Vietnam War. A prime example of the soldier being caught in a social tug of war of between protesters, politicians and greedy corporations.

From the Revolutionary War on to today's War on Terror; many of our soldiers from each era has experienced a type of prejudice or injustice.

I have never served in the military. I have no idea of the mindset of a soldier. I don't believe that anyone could possibly understand how the heart and soul of someone who willingly pledges their lives to defense of their country.

But I am truly grateful that they do this for us each and every day.

Obviously, I cannot list all the acts of bravery from the Revolutionary War to the Present. With the help of Google, I managed to find a few intriguing names and stories that I would like to share with you.

Mitchell Red Cloud Jr.: "In Spite of Being shot eight times, Mitchell Red Cloud Jr., ordered his men to tie him to a tree so that he could keep fighting.. Action for which he received the Medal of Honor.

Horace Axtell: WWWII Veteran, Native American who lives in Lewiston Idaho. Considered a ceremonial leader of the Nez Perce tribe.

Ed W. "Too Tall Freeman": "United States Army helicopter pilot, who received the U.S. Military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Battle of la Drang during the Vietnam War. During the battle, he flew through gunfire numerous times, bringing supplies to a trapped American battalion and flying dozens of wounded soldiers to safety."

Captain Arthur Jackson: U.S. Marine who received a Medal of Honor for his actions on Peleleu during WWII. PFC Jackson single handedly destroyed 12 enemy pill boxes and killed 50 enemy soldiers.

Bernard Frances Fisher, United States Air Force: "He was the first USAF Member to receive the Medal of Honor in the Viet Nam War on March 10, 1966. He led a two ship element of Sky Raiders to the A Shar Valley to support troops in contact with the enemy."

Kyle Carpenter, United States Marine: awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, 2010.

Orpha May Johnson: 1st woman to sign up with the United States Marines in August 1918.

Sarah Emma Edmonds: "Joined the United States Army to fight for her country in the Civil War. She disguised her sex and used the name of Frank Thompson. A nurse in the Second Volunteers of the United States Army, she was unique because she was able to remain in the army for several years and was successful as a Union spy while impersonating as a man."

Cathay Williams: was the first African American female to enlist in the United States Army as William Cathay. She was a Buffalo Soldier passing herself off as a man.

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker: The only woman to receive the Medal of Honor and the first every U.S. Army Surgeon during the Civil War.

Essie Dell Woods, WWII Veteran, Member of the WAAC and WAC. She is over 100 years old.

Benjamin O Davis: Served as a Commander of the famed Tuskegee Airman. He was also the 1st African American General in the United States Air Force.

Whew! Just a small cross-section of research, but a depth of personalities, examples of courage, daring and perseverance.

Regardless of whether you have served during times of war or peace, your service is appreciated. It should be recognized that the first act of bravery is signing up to be a part of the military. It is a chosen occupation that very few understand except those who have already served their county with honor and distinction.

To the families of Jon Hartway and Stein P. Gearhart, I would like to extend my sympathies for your recent loss. I did not know these men personally, but their service to Idaho and their country is very much appreciated.

Comments

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You are not a vet. In the last 60 years has anyone in your immediate family: brother, sister, son or daughter served honorably or do you think that it is up to other families to fight the wars that you want fought?

Lip service on honoring vets is tiring to hear.

-- Posted by Geordey on Tue, Nov 11, 2014, at 1:22 PM
Geordey, may want to consider getting what ever you have "stuck" removed :/

-- Posted by joe_smoe on Tue, Nov 11, 2014, at 1:29 PM
Beautiful piece Bonnie. RIP friend Joe and Bless our soldiers in harms way every day. Give peace to those on foreign soil and may you come home safe and to all veterans of generations new and old Thank You. B

-- Posted by Brenda Fincher Publisher MHNews on Tue, Nov 11, 2014, at 1:58 PM
List of Veterans in My Family:

Several in the Revolutionary War, including a General or two.

(too many to List)

A Great Grandfather who served in the Civil War.

More than a dozen uncles who served in WWII. Some died for their country and two of my uncles were severely wounded in battle.

My father was a Veteran.

One of My brothers.

Several of my cousins-too many to count.

My Husband

4 of my brother-in-laws.

Several nephews and nieces

A nephew who happens to be the Commander/Doctor and in charge of an Air Force Base in Florida.

And the list could go on and on.

So all together, maybe about a hundred or so. Is that enough lip service?

-- Posted by KH Gal on Tue, Nov 11, 2014, at 2:53 PM
Great article Bonnie, thank you!

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Tue, Nov 11, 2014, at 3:56 PM
Please recheck the criteria I listed.

You aren't alone. Many Republicans, Mitt Romney comes to mind, are hawks when it comes to war and say they honor veterans but their immediate families don't serve.

-- Posted by Geordey on Tue, Nov 11, 2014, at 4:46 PM
Party affiliation has exactly what to do with honoring veterans?

-- Posted by joe_smoe on Tue, Nov 11, 2014, at 4:57 PM
Actually, David told me that our nephew is the commander of Tyndall Air Force Base Medical Unit.

I wanted to correct myself on that point.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Wed, Nov 12, 2014, at 7:08 AM
I think that I see the problem. The criteria that Geordie mentioned may be confusing.

Last 60 years: 2014 - 60 = 1954 or later.

Definition of immediate family: This can include nieces and nephews by marriage by many definitions. Missouri law defines it below.

Missouri Code of State Regulations,19 CSR 15-7.021 (18) (H).

"An immediate family member is defined as a parent; sibling; child by blood, adoption, or marriage; spouse; grandparent or grandchild."

By Misery law, where KH Gall lives, it looks to me like KH Gal qualifies in two respects.

1. a brother

2. a husband

_____________

2 veterans

-- Posted by Sam_1776 on Wed, Nov 12, 2014, at 2:33 PM
Oh, I'm sorry, I thought this whole time that I was in Idaho. Why would I really care how Mo defines Veteran.

-- Posted by joe_smoe on Wed, Nov 12, 2014, at 2:43 PM
Past 60 Years: Wow, I guess my list would be even bigger because I happen to know several people who served in the military.

here is my criteria for future blog comments:

-- Posted by KH Gal on Wed, Nov 12, 2014, at 3:26 PM
You probably shouldn't care joe_smoe but since KHGAL lives in Missouri as she has mentioned, Missouri law seems pertinent.

And the Missouri law that was posted was not about veterans but about the definition of immediate family.

Don't worry, she has a win. Geordie was assuming no veterans and she can claim two under his criteria using simple math and the Missouri law.

-- Posted by Sam_1776 on Wed, Nov 12, 2014, at 3:32 PM
I am a veteran.

The George Washington quote, really wasn't said by Washington although he did agree that the nation should treat veterans well.

Take a look at: http://www.mountvernon.org/research-collections/digital-encyclopedia/article/spu...

-- Posted by Sam_1776 on Wed, Nov 12, 2014, at 8:19 PM
As a veteran and a REAL AMERICAN, despite Mike's uneducated opinion to the contrary, I sometimes feel the same as Geordie, when I see people that keep wanting America to go to war yet their families don't serve in the military during war time.

Mitt Romney's family is an example of that.

When my father was a child, he knew this nice local family with several kids, and lots of horses and cattle. The father had come from a very poor family and so probably to get a job, joined the Army during peacetime. He was proud of his service and seemed very kind. The family had a ranch and they lived off what they earned on the ranch.

The children got older, and the eldest son followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Army. It seemed like a very short time but then the son was back from the Army. The family had somehow convinced the Army to let the son out.

None of the other children entered the military. The children all got married and then they had children of their own. Those children grew up but none of them served in the military.

As everyone knows, you have to be pretty brave to work on a ranch in Elmore County, so bravery wasn't the issue. The family wasn't against war,either, they were noted hawks.

Three generations of this family supported every war that was considered and want boots on the ground now, yet only one person in that family had served a full tour of duty and that was in peacetime. They are brave, kind, people who try to teach their children responsibility, yet they don't consider serving in the military as their responsibility.

They are content to say "thank you for your service" and put their flags up on all of the patriotic holidays. They let other people's children do the service and take the risks.

The people in that family are REAL AMERICANS too. I just don't feel that they are pulling their weight and therefore not really honoring veterans any more than they honor the trash guy. Much better for him to do the dirty work than them, right?

-- Posted by Sam_1776 on Sat, Nov 15, 2014, at 4:40 PM
I'm not interested in your definition of being an American, Mike. You weren't the only soldier that lost the war in Vietnam and even if you had been, that doesn't put you in a position of deciding who is an American or not.

The family that I spoke of is fully capable of serving their country. They choose to let others do the hard stuff and then say "Thank you for your service". Lip service is what you call that.

-- Posted by Sam_1776 on Sun, Nov 16, 2014, at 12:17 PM
And off the topic we go again .... zzzzzzzzzzzz

-- Posted by Sam_1776 on Sun, Nov 16, 2014, at 2:49 PM
In Missouri, they have something they call Stick-Tights. Basically, you end up looking as though you had met up with a porcupine.

There are some commenters who are determined to make a simple sharing of thoughts an issue. Why I don't know.

This blog is full of those Stick-Tights right now and the message has gotten lost because people are determined to travel in the weeds instead of enjoying the flowers.

Apology Accepted Mike. Thank you for your support. And for using your name.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Mon, Nov 17, 2014, at 11:26 AM
The way I see it Mike could of walked right past Sams comments as if he didn't even see them. Mike why in the world did you have to add this?

(I'm not interested in anything that comes from you either, nor Sara, Wayne or any other liberal.)

I looked up and down the blog and didn't see any comment from Sara or Wayne.

Bonnie very nice write up for Veterans Day, I wish you would of put some pictures of your relatives that had served, Your Grandfather especially & even your father, husband. We like pictures

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Mon, Nov 17, 2014, at 2:34 PM

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