Happy Veterans Day

[amicusnemini]

valentines day isnt until february of next year

[TooFreakingRelaxed]

Yes Tony, Freedom is not free.

[gbrady3434]

Well said. Happy Veterans Day!

[Katiedora122]

I love historical facts :)

Also, I'm taking a US Civil-Military Relations class, that is basically talking about the role of the military and society's reaction to it, and we pretty much talked about this exact thing in class yesterday.

So it's awesome.

[am1gv]

an awsome video from an awsome optimist! :)

[LisaMurray]

My new nickname for you is "One-Take Tony". I can't believe you do all that in ONE TAKE! You're crazy! Anyway, great video Tony!

[Libratarot]

* * * * * Extra Stars for saying what some of us don't know how to express.  Thank you to my grandparents for being full time Army. Thank you to my father for Vietnam and 30+ years of Army reserves. Thank You to my Sister for Active Duty Coast Guard. * * * * *

[mdacevedo1980]

(1:44) I will never better person than you as I consider myself to be as equal as you...

See you next Tuesday!

[artist92]

You're my favorite optimist, shhh dont tell the others.

[mayamaya]

same here

[LisaMurray]

@artist92 and I'm your favorite alumni optimist! Right? What? Nevermind. :-/

[IAGuy06]

Excellent Tony. Very nice job expressing your thoughts.

And I agree.

[iluvebam4ever123]

Great video.

[Dave256onYT]

Well said Tony. We owe a lot to the military!!!

[Skabooshie]

I really liked watching this video! Great Job! :D

I think it's so great that you say Happy Birthday to people as well! :)

[Vivi1790]

great vid, tony! :) and im pro military too! :D omg twinzies! ::::jump high fives::::

[SophiaMaria023]

lmao, omg my 6 year old cousin says that all the time...twinzies & then he high fiveses!

[Frogbraddah]

Great job Tony. :) Your videos are always so insightful. Keep it up.

[PaintedRavensong]

Great thoughts Tony. In the war-minded environment that we've all lived in for so long, it is easy to be unable to separate the military from necessarily being a war machine. Thank you for that reminder.

[DoRayMeFa]

Again, another perceptive tonyvid, that the Military is not the same as War.

Also: Sad that we have to expend so much to maintain a military to *deter* war.

This time of year, I tend to think of how the WW II generation spent ~four years *consumed* in war, losing ~7x what (U.S.) lost in Vietnam and ~80x what (U.S.) lost in Iraq, and that was after a decade of Depression and nearly a decade of dust bowl. Sad that "Greatest Generation" is disappearing now... little time left to thank them.

[andymooseman]

Thanks for that history lesson Tony.

Over here in the UK we now call it Remembrance Day. it's not a holiday. But, a two minute silence is often held at 11am to remember those who have fallen :)

[projectblogsphere]

Thanks, Andy! I'm glad that veterans are recognized around the world for their service and sacrifice. Armistice Day started like the Remembrance Day - not a national holiday; just a time set side to remember those who served. :-)

[SuzyTBlue1]

This was fantastic. I felt like I needed to start clapping or something :)

[projectblogsphere]

LOL! Thanks, Lauren! :-)

[MakeoverSessions]

Thank you, Tony for the poignant, heartfelt honouring remembrance of our dedicated military. I share your opinion about this and as a woman, I am mindful that in many places even today, I would NEVER be allowed to share my face, let alone my opinion with the world. I live grateful for the privilege with every breath I take. Kudos.

[projectblogsphere]

Thanks Dianne! What sets you apart from so many people today is the fact that you're mindful of how good we have it here in America; something that so many people take for granted. We are extremely lucky, and I wish more people would understand that.

P.S. I loved that you used the European spelling of "honouring". :-)

[thesockdock]

This was just a great vlog. Well put together, informative, and inspiring!! Excellent job!

[projectblogsphere]

Thanks, Troy! As cliche as it sounds, my sentiments came from the heart, and that helps. :-)

[Beccarothwell]

Amazing words.

[projectblogsphere]

Thank you! :-)

[crimsong19]

Great stuff, Tony!

[projectblogsphere]

Thanks, Jason! :-)

[Adriella07]

Thank you very much for this great video. My father has spent his life in the military, and it often saddens him when people are quick to spew angry and hateful words about men and women in the military and what they do. Meanwhile, those people are the ones who forget--they're able to express their opinions BECAUSE the men and women in uniform have fought and died for hundreds of years to uphold their rights.

Thanks for your little tribute to veterans everywhere.

[projectblogsphere]

Thank you for your comment. And thank your father for his service.

It always saddens me as well when people criticize the troops simply because of what people perceive them to be. Like I mentioned, people equate them with war... when the reality is, they are merely "tools". The blame goes higher... much higher.

It also angers me when people take their freedom for granted, and become spoiled brats. People are quick to judge, forget who to thank... a failure of our modern society.

[princeword]

In Sweden, the common word for the army, navy and airforce combined is försvarsmakten (defence power, roughly translated) which stresses the use of it as only a defence and never offence, which historically (as in recent years) would put USA on the opposite.

Since we have been a country in peace for a very long time, the role of the defence is mainly connected to disasters, like flooding, boats going down and major fires.

I was in the navy for 18 months as a communications officer. yay

[projectblogsphere]

First of all, Happy Veterans Day to you! :-)

I think most would agree that ideally the military should be used only for defense; much like martial arts. The more prepared you are to fight, the less chances you'll have to. I think things have to be judged on a case-by-case basis, and sometimes a good defense is a good offense. But it must be done with cause..

The unfortunate truth, like I mentioned, is that the military is used as a pawn... and often for the wrong reasons.

[roadamerica2008]

I totally agree, I believe the 40's was an awesome decade the entire country did there part to help our men and women in the armed forces. Women had to save flour all year to make one cake. One of many sacrifices big and small.

[projectblogsphere]

There was a time when our country was proud, with a common consciousness, and a common goal. We stood behind our men and women in uniform, and did our part because it's the right thing to do. We've lost that now. Today, we're more concerned with political correctness and entitlement, and lost sight of what's truly important... and that's just unfortunate.

My opinion, of course. :-)

[MrHollick]

Awesome video Tony thanks so much for such an amazing video!

[projectblogsphere]

Thanks Sean! :-)