Happy Veteran's Day

Happy Veteran's Day to the brave men and women of our Armed Forces.  Whether you are currently serving, or if you served our country in the past, thank you for your courage and sacrifice.  Your sense of duty is only bested by your patriotism, and while you may hear criticism in the media, just know that there are many more Americans who support your mission and believe in your cause than there are doubters, cynics and haters.

Many years ago we used to call it Armistice Day.  When I was growing up they used to ring the church bells in town at 11 am because that's when they signed the peace treaty to end WWI.

My father was an Italian immigrant who came to the United States with nothing.  He would sit me and my four brothers down and in broken English tell us that we are lucky to live in the greatest country in the world, the United States of America. 

He would tell us that we had to do everything we could to keep it the greatest country in the world.

He would tell us that if we had to fight for America that we must do it.

And he would tell us that we may have to give up our lives for America, but that we must do it.

I was drafted in to the United States Army during WWII.  It was the last draft, and I reported to Fort Meade in Maryland.  Then I reported to Fort McClellan in Alabama for basic training.  It was so hot there that I saw a dog chasing a cat and they were both walking.  And it was so humid that you could put saddles on the mosquitoes because they were so big.  From there I reported to Fort Jackson in South Carolina.

I served my two years and truly enjoyed representing my country.  My time in the service truly changed my life.  I have always said that I have only worn four uniforms in my life: the Boy Scouts, the Dodgers, Team USA and the uniform I wore while in the army.

I love the members of our military and have the utmost respect for them.  I have had the privilege of speaking at the Air Force Academy 10 times, the Naval Academy twice, West Point twice and once at the National War College.  I have spoken to over 40 military bases around the country.  Last April I went with Admiral Mike Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Iraq and Afghanistan on a USO tour to motivate and inspire the troops.

So today we salute the veterans who have served our great nation.  I have nothing but love and respect for each and every one of you.