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Go to Garrison Keillor's Cool Friends interview

On a trip away from Lake Wobegon, Garrison Keillor took time to talk to us at tompeters.com. He and Erik had a great conversation about his latest book, A Christmas Blizzard, and many other topics, including a note from Julie Christie. We know you'll enjoy reading his Cool Friends interview.

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dispatches from the new world of work

Veterans Day

[Our guest blogger is Abbey Bishop. Abbey is the Executive Director of Events for Tom but more importantly today, she is the wife of a soldier. Her husband, Keith, is currently deployed in Afghanistan and all of us at tompeters.com deeply appreciate the choice he has made to serve our country and anxiously await his safe return. We invited Abbey to share her thoughts on Veteran's Day and she graciously agreed. Thank you Abbey!]

Through the generations, how war is fought has changed so drastically. One thing that remains the same is what defines a Veteran. Courage, selflessness, and loyalty are a few very small words that barely begin to describe the incredible individual that offers so much to so many, expecting nothing in return. They believe in the ideal that the United States of America is greater than the individual and they are willing to—ultimately—give everything to uphold that ideal. Separation from family and friends, and to live inside a war zone are commitments they have made and stand by.

Ask yourself before just appreciating yet another federal holiday, would you be willing to do what they have done? Willing to miss the birth of your child, miss the burial of a family member, experience intermittent sleep for days on end, hope for at least one meal today, see a friend die with the fear that it could happen again tomorrow and the possibility of the sacrifice of your own life?

Saying thank you hardly seems good enough, but THANK YOU. Thank you to all the Veterans, past and present, who have protected my rights, my freedoms, those that I love and allow me to live the life of a free man. Never forget that the courage of those brave soldiers that have served in our armed forces allows life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Without our armed forces, these would not be certainties of our everyday life.

Today is a day of gratitude, but it is also a day of mourning. It is the very least we can offer to our countrymen who, without knowing us, stood up to protect us. Remember those that came home and those that couldn't. Veterans, my sincerest and most humble appreciation is yours. Thank you.

Abbey Bishop posted this on 11/11/09.

Comments

Remembering our service members for their sacrifices is something we need to do every day.

Let the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff know you are appreciative. Sign the thank you card on twitter at: http://hashlove.com/cards/154

Posted by Paul Hebert at November 11, 2009 9:06 AM

"They believe in the ideal that the United States of America is greater than the individual and they are willing to—ultimately—give everything to uphold that ideal."

Those words definitely and profoundly capture the essense of service. The soldier on the frontline however is not the only one who sacrifices when troops are deployed. Thanks to you,your family and your husband for the your service to our country!

Intergrity, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All That We Do. Values that epitomize the members of our Armed Services...

Posted by Dave Wheeler at November 11, 2009 9:46 AM

We too commemorated Armistice Day today here in Britain. At 11am I stopped working to join millions of people across Britain in 2 minutes respectful silence whilst watching the service of Remembrance from Westminster Abbey on BBC TV. As in previous years I cried as I quietly reflected about those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom. Regardless of what I think of the motives of war the one thing I always know is that millions of young men and women have literally given everything. A heartfelt thank you.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.”

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 11, 2009 10:40 AM

May God bless our troops, their families, the loved ones of those who lost their lives on either front, including civilians. May we remember the loss of innocence that war brings. May we live as such where war is not necessary.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 11, 2009 1:13 PM

Thank You - Veterans Day Today and the 234th Birthday of United States Marine Corps yesterday my son a 3rd generation Special Operations Marine just left Afghanistan...

Posted by Gary Fish at November 11, 2009 1:42 PM

Abbey what a wonderful post! Regarding missing the births of children, funerals of loved ones, watching a fellow comrade die cites just a few of the sacrifices that our armed forces make every day. As a college kid I protested the war in the sixties and seventies. As a much older and wiser adult I better realize and understand what a wonderful, free country we live in and how fortunate we all are that families like yours are willing to make these sacrifices to fight for our freedom. So to all of the past, present, and future military personnel I salute each and every one of you and truly support and appreciate all that you do every day to keep this country free! Thank you all!

Posted by Dini Coffin at November 11, 2009 1:58 PM

Abbey-thanks for a great Veteran's Day post and thank you to Keith and you for the sacrifice you are making on our behalf. THANK YOU!

Posted by kurt wendelken at November 12, 2009 1:31 AM

Sun Tzu wrote:
Thus it may be known that the leader of armies is the arbiter of the people’s fate, the man on
whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril.

There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.

Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor damped, your strength exhausted and your
treasure spent, other chieftains will spring up to take advantage of your extremity. Then no man,
however wise, will be able to avert the consequences that must ensue.

How wise Sun Tzu was, so long ago, and still the same mistakes are made over and over. All those sacrifices, all in vain, if the leader seems to have forgotten his Sun Tzu.

Posted by ab0032 at November 16, 2009 4:23 AM