My Favorite Veteran

Today I write to tell you that your "little brother" can become your hero.  My younger brother Ken is a veteran of many more military campaigns than most of you know.  I'm very thankful he is still with us to read this and be my brother whom I love and admire and thank personally every Veteran's day for his personal sacrifice to protect me and my beloved country - meaning all of you. My other favorite veteran is all the rest of you who have served in so many ways to keep me free.

This is Ken standing on front of Babylon. This is where his travels with the Marine First Expeditionary Force took him on the way to ending Saddam Hussein's hideous reign over the people of Iraq. The history behind these ruins reminds us that the innocent have always needed protection from the wicked. Remembering and respecting those providing the protection is what Veteran's day is all about in my mind.  Irrespective of your political persuasion, or feelings about war, I hope you will reflect upon the fact that your safety and right to hold and speak your position is dependent on those like my brother.

The tyrant who's defaced image appears on the wall is gone. Unfortunately there are more like him, so we must continue to identify this type of person and guard the innocent from them.  And so I'm thankful for the men and women who are involved in doing that for our country today.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Ken. Here he is at home in Oahu on his lanai having a cool one.  This is the brother I surf with, and share with and love dearly.  Not every brother is so fortunate!  Thanks Ken - from your whole family!  Have a cool one today on me!