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Purple Mountain majesty at daybreak 11/11

It's Terrific Tuesday again. How's everything in your neck of the woods?

I find many Botetourt Countians speechless over last week's election, while others spew vile remarks. Time to move on folks. Good, bad or indifferent we have a new president and we must make the best out of the choice made by an overwhelming majority of Americans. Our country is in dire straits and we must work together.

Now for those out there who predict the demise of the 44th president of the United States. It is illegal and a federal crime in the U.S. of A to threaten the life of the president. Just because your guy didn't win, you shouldn't hope the winner will die. Think about those two little girls without their daddy; think of what civil unrest would follow such an event and think of it just being plain wrong to wish that way. 'Nuff said.

Today is Veteran's Day. Both of my parents served in WWII. Dad served in the Army and Mom was a WAVE in the Navy. I have always had the utmost respect for the Veteran's in this country.

George Johnson was a friend of mine in Texas. He was career military having served in WWII in Patton's 3rd Army, the Korean Conflict and Viet Nam. When I knew him as a retired non com, he had had a stroke. One day I had the fortune to take him to the local Veteran's Administration hospital.

While we waited for Sgt. Johnson's appointment, a hub bub of activity took place and suddenly a military dressed man came through the doors of the waiting room and said, "Atten-hut." A very elderly gentleman rolled through pushed in a wheelchair and said, "At ease men," as he saluted the old soldiers. George Johnson told me it was General Omar Bradley. I was in my early 20s then but had enough sense to know I had witnessed one of the greatest leaders of WWII by accident.

Yet it has been the Sgt. Johnson's and Private Frank Reyes's (another friend of mine who had a metal plate in his noggin from a narrow escape from death in Viet Nam) who as every day heroes came home and made the best they could out of life. You'll see more of them in the store and on the street than old five star General's.

Be sure to say thank you to a Vet today. They have sacrificed a lot to keep us able to grumble and worry about election results. Freedom has many facets and never forget some one else has fought to keep it there for you.