What can I say about the man who I call my father? He married my mother when I was six and my brother was four years old. This man came into our lives and made it wonderful. He always treated my mother like a queen. He treated my brother and I like we were his own children. There was always food on the table, clothes for us to wear not hand-me-downs from the church or neighbors either. This wonderful man saw to it that we went to school and got a fine education. He was always there for us. He went to our ball games and was always there at every school function. He gave my brother and myself all the support we could ever want or needed.

My dad worked for the gas company in North Western Pennsylvania I think the company was called United Natural Gas. He never took a sick day as far as I know. He was like that, he was grateful for his job, him being a child of the Depression. It was not easy for him when he was growing up after the great crash of the stock market. My dad is of Irish decent he is witty and talented. He is a fine handy man and could always fix my brothers and my junkers when they would not run another mile! LOL He is a welder by trade and a very good one at that!

Dad was born and raised in North Western Pennsylvania. He lied about his age and joined the navy during WWII. He was assigned to the cruiser Boise and was in the Pacific conflict. After the war he went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad as a roust about. He eventually went to work for the gas company and worked for them for over thirty years. He is retired and I hope he is enjoying himself! LOL

When I was in Vietnam my mom told me he always ate his dinner in front of the TV hoping to catch a glimpse of me and to see if I was safe. He went down to the Sears store and signed me up for the "Care Package" program they had where you could pay to have them send a package with a lot of goodies to the soldier of your choice. I got one every two weeks. Needless to say I was very popular with my fellow "Boonie Rats". LOL He was there to meet me when I got of the "Freedom Bird" and we both cried when we embraced. I thank God everyday for sending this wonderful man into my life. As a father he stands ten feet tall and I would put him up against any other dad.

So dad here's to you on your special day. They do not make dads any better than you. I love you, your son Carl!

I know some of you will not agree with me on this but here it goes!

Just as we let thousands of soldiers die in Iraq, everywhere, they are mere cannon fodder. The United States needs a draft, so people in power feel the pain of their children dying for the nation.

That is why we need a DRAFT! In Vietnam look who of us was dying in the conflict. I will tell you who, poor Whites, poor Blacks, and poor Hispanics. Don't anyone tell me I am full of shit either. Anyone who could get a deferment got one or ran off to our friendly neighbor in the north, Canada. This time there should be no deferments. If your number comes up it should not matter who you are or what you are doing you will have to show up period! I was there for the Vietnam conflict so I cannot not be bull shitted! I see the same thing in the Iraq conflict.

Sure, you will say well they volunteered for the service. Yes, they did mostly due to economic necessity and needing a way to support their families. When they come home, if they get home, they are thrown into a veterans administration that is looking out for the "bottom line" not the welfare of the troops! I think the veterans administration has had its budget reduced this year and there is talk of closing military hospitals with the base closings. Is this the caring and looking out for the troops that the Pols in Washington are always spouting off about? I do not think so!

So this is my humble opinion, but what does a silly old vet know! LOL