[the 'stache]

I know this is a couple of days late, but I wanted to take a moment to thank all the men (and women) who have served our military, and are regulars on Net54.

Whenever I spot somebody out, just eating dinner, or at a doctor's office, or anywhere, really, and I see signs that they are, or have served, I politely ask to shake their hand as a sign of respect, and thanks. It's such a small thing, really, but it is, in my opinion, one of the best things we can do. These people put their butts in harm's way so we can sit here and discuss baseball cards, or whatever else is in the news, from the safety of our homes, knowing full well there are people out there who would seek to do us harm simply because we love freedom. I am 45 years old, so not old enough to remember Vietnam. But I've read stories, and talked to vets who were there, and the way our soldiers were treated when they came home is disgraceful. They were doing the jobs of stuffed shirts in Washington who design policy.

It is a national embarrassment, if you ask me, that we have veterans...no...Veterans...that are homeless, without healthcare, or with inadequate help to deal with the scars of war. I cannot imagine what our soldiers go through when they try to re-enter public life. But "this" should never ever happen. Our men and women leave their families for long periods of time, risk their very lives, and when they come home, they should be taken care of. If ever there is a good man or woman, and I mean truly good, sans all the skeletons in their closet, or vile words for people that are different than them, that ran for President, and they made veteran care their #1 priority, they'd earn my vote in the blink of an eye. Yet, during this last election cycle, we heard nary a word.

These people are heroes, and they deserve our respect, and our unending gratitude.