Perhaps PPrune does need a wake up call, for if it were not for the sacrifices of our military men and women he would not have the freedoms that he has.
I was very priviledged to be a part of a military funeral a couple of years ago to honor Carl Hoenshell who was killed on June 10, 1944 flying a P-38 returning from an escort mission. On this flight he stayed with two other P-38 that were shot up. They were then jumped by enemy aircraft and Carl led the attackers away from his crippled wingmen. He was succesful in leading the attackers away, and his wingmen returned to base, however hi did not. Neither his body, or his aircraft were never found. in the early 90's his neice began to see if she could find what happened to her uncle, and through her efforts, and the efforts of many other people they were able to find where his plane crashed. Our Military helped them to recover his remains and return him to be honored and given a military funeral. During the funeral 4 F-15's came from Langley Air Force base to give their tribute to him as his unit is still an active unit based at Langley. I was most fortunate to be the back seater in the lead T-6 formation of 7 T-6's that also flew over the funeral. After that we landed at the local airport and went to the funeral dinner and it was there that I was reminded how much so many have given to protect the freedoms that we have.
Everyone should go out to our cemetary's and walk around and look at the military plaques that are there to honor those who have served our country and us and although those that are burried there may have not died during there service to this country they did serve our country and we all owe them a great debt.
Never forget the many of freedoms that we enjoy today were paid with the blood of our men and women in our military.
here is a link to Carl's story:
http://www.1stfighter.org/missingpilots/hoenshell_funeral.html
Eric