Veterans Day Salute!

Today is Veterans Day, the day we stand united in recognition of the sacrifices our nation’s veterans have made on our behalf.  Let us remember that there are still almost three million men and women currently standing watch to protect us and our great nation as members of the Armed Forces.  There is another Twenty Three Million living American Veterans who deserve a salute and our thanks for the sacrifices they have made to ensure that we remain free.

Since my move to Charleston back in July, I have been moved by the strength of this community and its unwavering support for our troops.  This isn’t something that is practiced one day a year around here by only a few members of the community.  No, it is a common thread that in part, holds the Low Country communities together.  I for one have lived all over the United States and have never known such a patriotic community.

One example that I would like to bring to everybody’s attention is the incredible story of Julie the Barista at the Local Market and Coffee Bar in West Ashley.  I was lucky enough to be invited there for a book signing and was pleasantly surprised to find that they (she) were leading a drive to collect donations for coffee to send to the troops through a group known as Soldiers Angels!    

Last time I was in there, Julie told me that they were able to send thirty pounds of coffee to Afghanistan and that they donated some to a local VFW post here in town.  That my friends is just one extraordinary example of how the little things each of us can do, that when combined with a national effort, make a huge difference!  I would like to say thank you to Julie and her coworkers for the outstanding support shown our troops, not just on this day but everyday!   Oh, the coffee is fantastic by the way, go by and check it out, and tell Julie I sent ya!   

As we go about our ‘normal’ activities today, please say a prayer for all those that are in harm’s way and please take the time to say ‘Thank You’ to a past veteran who too sacrificed so we could accomplish whatever we so dream!

God Bless the United States of America and our troops! 

S. B. (Steve) Newman, Author – “The Night Eagles Soared.”

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