“ Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”

That is a quote frequently attributed to George Orwell, originating in his observation regarding Rudyard Kipling reverence for fighting men. It’s probably an improvement on such a quote involving the two men’s words by an anonymous person with a gift for a well-turned phrase.

November 11 is Veteran’s Day. November 10 was Marine Day celebrating their origination (more on that later). To not show favoritism, June 14 honors the birth of the U. S. Army. October 13 honors the U. S. Navy. August 1 honors the Coast Guard. In 1947 August 1 was established as a day to honor the Air Force, but it hasn’t been celebrated since 1949. I guess they feel that the third Saturday in May - Armed Forces Day - covers it for them.

However, November 11 is acknowledged in more countries as Armistice or Remembrance Day. It marked the end of what was formally known as “The Great War” at 11/11 at 11 ’o clock in 1918. Unfortunately, the “Great War” is now known as World War I, since it was followed by World War II. The optimism of the end of the first world war was undone with the beginning of the second. It marked the end of the Edwardian age, giving lie to many preconceptions society had formerly held about progress and the goodness of man. Now, almost a century later, there are still more veterans, still more evil to grieve over. There is still more to honor in all that is good, selfless and noble in these veterans: these rough men and tough women who lay their precious lives on the line. Still, we must never forget …..

“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”

In light of the events on Friday at Fort Hood, this day had an even greater poignancy. Ironically, the Marines were formed to deal with the Barbary Coast Pirates who terrorized ships and coasts for almost 300 years. During their reign of terror, it is estimated that 800,000 to 1.3 million Europeans were taken into slavery. They were also responsible for the enslavement of 28 million (!!!!) Africans, and were the suppliers for the slaves sold to European countries and the Colonies.They extorted tribute for safe conduct through the seas they roamed. The U. S. refused to pay this tribute and the Marines were formed. This is where the the saying, "Millions for defense, but not a penny for tribute' originated. The Marine Corps song commemorates this in the opening verse, “From the Halls of Montezuma / to the shores of Tripoli.” Tripoli is now in Libya. That is the reason that Thomas Jefferson had a Quran in his library; he wanted to understand the religion of these Pirates; he wanted to understand their ferocity. It took the actions of several countries to end this barbarism. Still, there are pirates hi-jacking, using their beliefs as an excuse to perpetrate violence coming out of their own perversity. And there are still good people willing to combat the evil perpetrated. And, as we saw on Friday, even here on our own soil there is threat, and blood spilled in our defense. There are not enough tears.

I can’t thank you enough, Veterans. Thank you. Because, “good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men (and tough women) stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” Because of You. Thank You.