By - Michael Teninty, AMAC Action’s Chief Policy Analyst
Among the few things that Congress “shall have the power” to do is to:
“To declare War…; To raise and support Armies…; [and] To provide and maintain a Navy;”
And this power necessarily requires that our federal government staff our military on the occasion that we must prepare to defend, or actually defend, our Constitution, our national interests, our way of life, and our people from international threats, especially after a declaration of war.
But who answers the call? We the People do. A small percentage of every kind of American has taken an oath and volunteered to serve in our armed forces. They come from everywhere between sea to shining sea. In some cases, they come from overseas to take up training and arms in defense of people like you and me.
On the very first day that they raise their right hand, they leave their futures in the hands of God, and the course of their lives in the hands of our duly elected officials. They leave their families behind, who also sacrifice because their servicemembers are not home, and they subject themselves to an ethos of “not mine, but thy will be done.” In some cases, they forfeit a more prosperous personal future to support the cause of liberty. They do so willingly, and with the full understanding that their lives are (literally) committed to our cause. In some terrible cases they sustain grave injury, seen and unseen, for which we owe them a great debt of gratitude. They are Veterans, and these are their just some of their sacrifices.
This Veterans Day, reach out to someone who has completed their service, as I will, to thank them for their sacrifice, as we should; for every liberty we enjoy was delivered at some point through the hands of a Veteran by the grace of God. Remember on this day the ones that are still here, that live with the consequences of their sacrifice for us. On Armed Forces Day, remember those who are currently serving; and on Memorial Day, remember those who have passed in service to our nation.
Dear Veterans, thank you for everything you’ve sacrificed for us, and our families, and our nation under God.
Hailing from Florida by Alaska, Michael Teninty is a Husband, Father, and retired Naval Officer who continues to support and defend the Constitution of the United States as AMAC Action’s Chief Policy Analyst, a Conservative Political Philosopher, and most importantly, a servant of Jesus Christ.
I am a marine combat veteran serving in Viet Nam ( Dec 23, 1967 to Jan 15, 1969)and I know first hand what our service members sacrifice. To all my brothers and sisters both currently serving and to our veterans, I say thank you and I stand proudly among you even to this day. SEMPER FI.
Yesterday my wife and I were at a Cracker Barrel restaurant visiting and shopping. We chatted with two power company employees while waiting for our meals. I had my retired Navy hat sitting to the side. After our meal, we realized that the bill had not been delivered to us and the two power company men came back, thanked me for my service and informed us that our bill had been taken care of. I thanked for their generosity.
Thank you for your service so that I might be free. And thank you to your family who missed you and worried about you every day that you served. You are truly appreciated. God bless you and your family.
My grandson was only 2 when his Dad (my son) was deployed to Iraq. He turned 4 just before Daddy’s tour was completed. Two weeks ago, this same grandson, now 20 years old, walked into the Navy recruiter’s office and is currently awaiting his orders to head to Great Lakes. My thanks to the men in my family. I am proud of them both.
I didn’t serve but my older brother did and served 3 years in the Green Berets in Vietnam and I give thanks and praise for his any every man and woman who have also served to protect this country!
I served in a few war but not combat zones while in the Navy so my service was no “sacrifice” like those who have. Especially for those veterans grievously wounded for life… THANK YOU!
My daddy was a WWII Veteran (Army combat)- He passed away on Nov 11,1997-His honored holiday. My daughther served in U.S. Army during Bosnia peace keeping missions. Now my grandson is serving as a US Marine. I thank all U.S. Military for our Freedom. May God bless y’all.
Thank you to all the Veterans that have sacrificed so much for our Freedoms. You’re the BEST.
Very true, Many thanks for serving and putting your life on hold.. MAY GOD BLESS ALL VETERANS and the GOLD STAR FAMILY ❤️❤️❤️
Good bless all veterans (and their families).
Thank you for your service!
Thank you so much for your service. God bless y’all. Keep your powder dry! We are going to need you again soon.
Whether or not one agrees with the causes of all wars, the young men and women who fight for the causes they believe in- most importantly for the cause of freedom- deserve to be treated with respect. In the Civil War thousands of white Americans gave their lives for the freedom of their black brothers; at the beaches of Normandy thousands of Americans died before they even had a chance so that Europe could be free from Hitler’s regime; and the few survivors of the SS Indianapolis have a “ fight for survival” story. There are many stories of heroes- movies have even been made of a couple heroes who refused to carry a gun and shoot a fellow human, and yet they believed in the cause and went into the heat of battle to bring out and rescue scores of people at great risk of their own life. I was a military wife for 20 years and one thing I will never forget. I went to Southeast Asia during the Viet Nam ( and Laotian and Cambodian ) Wars. No, I was not sponsored. I went by choice and at my own expense with 2 babies. I was a foreign affairs major at the University and was also interested in Mission work and in travel. Was I afraid? ( I was in Laos 6 days before the Communist takeover. I just got on a mailboat with my babies and crossed the Mekong into Thailand.) No! The normal people in Southeast Asia wanted freedom. They were very kind to me. I have been robbed in Austin- but never while in Asia. In fact, my son has been robbed 4 times in San Antonio, once at gunpoint . Not once has anything been done, and in my case I have a photo of the vehicle of the man who robbed me with his license plate number- and so do the detectives. Back to my story, in Thailand hundreds of Marines walked into the small fast food shop at Utapao where we were in line. My husband said for us to step back out of line and let them go first because for some that would be their last meal. For many it was as they the left to rescue some merchant marines who had been captured by Cambodia. That taught me a lesson first hand of respect for our military because they often give their lives to die for a cause for people they don’t even know. Like the song says, “ All gave some, but some gave all.”
I am sorry to all who are reading these comments about our veterans day when a sorry soul such fred flintstone spews such hateful comments as he has and I responded as I have. Our Vets need to be respected and not put down by fred. If he is so unhappy he can leave. I doubt fred has done anything for his country but lives in the land of the free to spout his hate all at the expense of our Vets. As a Vet I did not take his comments very well. Again, I am sorry for my short comings.
Today being Veterans Day, there is for me a sobering, solemn, and serious realization of those throughout America’s history who’ve made the often-spoken ultimate sacrifice, plus those that survived but with life-changing injuries.
I’m one who although a veteran, returned without the aforementioned burden of those as noted.
Frankly, what profoundly affects me (on this Veterans Day) is the now leftist philosophical, ethical, and value systems of leading, training and indoctrinating especially of non-coms but of officers too. For Milley and subsequently Austin to testify and publish to the public the full-throated acceptance and utilization of what I call “witchcraft” is truly stunning and in my mind totally destructive to the world renowned (at one time) capability of The U.S. armed forces and is catastrophic to our services’ ability to perform its given mission; fight and win wars.
That is not to say that Bush II gets a pass for that start to finish nonsense in Iraq (similar in Afghanistan); especially to the foolishness of thinking American can build a governmental and cultural system in a Muslim country, or for that matter Tommy Franks giving Bush a plan for a conventional ground war in Iraq. So, this and other examples got America to where it is now, having a Commander-Chief and bureaucracy that wants “pets” in lieu of warriors.
Of course, the bet by D.C. is on “technology” coming to the rescue. For the foreseeable future it appears the bad guys have something to say about that.
Therefore, is there enough of the population of all ages to grasp a dramatic attitude change is required in “We the People”, and certainly those who in the nation rise to leadership positions, to reverse the current course and direction, of what has been damn good for what I conclude is the majority of those citizens who call this nation home, and have worked at bettering the place we live in, and have used the opportunities we have available to us?
Certainly, appreciation on this Veterans Day comes to mind!
I’m watching Brandon at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and, no disrespect to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for this country, VETERAN’S DAY IMHO should be about the living, not dead, veterans; isn’t that what Memorial Day is all about? I’d much rather the POTUS (even if its Biden) visiting a veterans care home or a VA hospital and show a living veteran appreciation!
You Sir are uninformed. Semper Fi is not a call to kill .It means ” always faithful to God, Country, family and Corps”. In other words, faithful to one’s self , apparently something you have never experienced. Get your facts straight fred.
Come again sorry little man. What is bbq? Lets meet and have coffee. Show me how you really are. No? Than go to bed looser.
Hey fred, Who the fu-k is kimmer kim? talking out your ass again? Yah, you got my goat, all day long. You just seem to be a sorry little man. Come out and tell me who you really are, sorry little man.
Our respect for those who fought, were injured and who died to maintain the U.S. as a free nation, free from Socialist, Communist and other fascist ideologies, needs to be revered more today than ever before. All that our veterans gave, and some gave all, needs to be a main focus for those who are supposed to be representing American citizens and values of the U.S. in government positions. Anything else is an insult to all who gave so much to keep the U.S. a great nation; a Constitutional Republic with a free capitalist economy. Every American citizens owes a debt of gratitude for our veterans. This is a debt that needs to be paid!
To AMAC. Freedom of speech? If you don’t like my comment to fred flintstone then why don’t you edit this idiot’s comments. He is a low life putting down all of us that have server so that this prick can spew his crap and throw it in our faces. Think about that AMAC. You don’t like my comments then throw me off you site. Semper f–king FI.
I always, when I see or know someone who has served, thank that person or persons for his/her service. I had three siblings in WWII and appreciate everyone who serves. I now have a great-grandson serving and is deployed to another country at present. Thanks to all of you before, now and always.
Thank you to all that have served. A special thanks to my step dad SFC.(retired) Kenneth B. Miller who served 20 plus years with two tours in Viet Nam.
Says the “brave” 14 year old Punkydoodle with the Cartoon Character Name!
When I see a servicemember, active duty or Veteran I don’t say the standard everyone says, “Thank you for your service“.
Remember, “Have a nice day”.after awhile, it just became easy & had little meaning. Everyone says the same 5 words to Military, “Thank you for your service” I was happy to see this article with a little different sentiment.
However, I think as a nation we can do better! For what are you grateful?
Thank you for my freedom. I know it comes after high cost and I feel truly blessed by your gift”.
How about, “Thank you for keeping my family safe!” Or,”You really do an amazing job for our country. Thank you.”
Other suggestions-“I appreciate you standing watch for America”. And,“Thank you for all the time you spent away from your family to serve our country”.Veterans can say-I‘ve done the job you’re doing now. Thank you for picking up where I left off”.
Most importantly, say what’s in your heart, not the easy 5 words. We as a country can do better for our Troops & Veterans.
I run.The Hugs Project, a Military support nonprofit sends care packages to deployed troops We also help fund effective treatment for Veterans with brain injuries from blast.
www. TheHugsProject.com – Because every American who serves in harm’s way deserves the thanks of a grateful nation.
A great tribute Michael. Thank you for your service.
Says the 14 year old Punkydoodle!