WW2: If The Main Players Had A Sleepover

If the main players in WW2 were high school girls and had a sleepover, this is who the players would be. Yes, imagine that. It would be one big old atomic pillow fight.

America-The most popular one in the room, you love her and you hate her all at once. She’s perky, perfect, and never has a hair out of place. America was born beautiful (bitch). Not to mention all the boys like her and want to talk policy as an excuse to get into her ports. Did we mention her teeth are perfectly straight and white? And she is the captain of The Debate Squad (of course she is), Powder Puff Football and became Student Body President because she felt it was unjust to be called queen. (Don’t hate her cause you ain’t her). Yeah, and she’s first in the class. It’s nice to see she messes up and gains weight…..in her feet. And she is a vicious gossip, always stirring the pot whenever she can, especially between Germany and Russia because she can’t help it, it’s so much fun. But even though you love to hate her, if she invites you to eat lunch at her table you are so there. As a matter of fact, you are cancelling all your other plans because when else is this going to happen for you?

Yeah, and she totally won debate, did a standing back tuck at cheerleading, and has the best grade in calculus. But she is so inflated right now......

England- America’s total bff. The two snap chat like you wouldn’t believe, and I mean all the time. Not to mention they are all over each other’s facebook, twitter, and Instagram. If you didn’t know better you would think they were speaking the same language! England is like America except more refined. However, England is not a gossip. She will put you down straight to your face. England wanted to be Queen of Student Government because it was her divine right but America took that away. And she was Queen Bee before America said it was unconstitutional. But after that dust up they became friends. England is an awesome soccer player. Not the best but really enthusiastic. But don’t go shopping with her. She takes over an entire dressing room like it is her empire, and she believes the world rises and sets on her time there. While England never bad mouths America behind her back, she does get a kick out of when her gossip bites her in the ass, when she messes up, and when she gains weight…….in her feet. That is, when she isn’t being a total friendemy to France.

America's bestie and the one who thinks the world rises and sets on her empire. It's like we all speak English?!

France- The first friend America made when she moved to town and totally introduced her to the in-crowd, inviting her to eat lunch with them. At first, England and America didn’t get along, and France was becoming America’s bestie. That is, until England got her rotten claws in America. Ungrateful bitch, when America moved to town no one would give her the time of day. However, America is friends with them both, and just as England is a friendemy to France, she totally returns the favor. When the two aren’t around, France totally bad mouths and gossips about them both. Moreso England than America though, because America is totally popular and France totally needs that friend. England is equally as shady to France. When they had the sleepover party, England was supposed to tell France but “forgot” to message her. So America mentioned it because she thought England told her, and France got pizzzzzzzeeeeedddd! But let it be known, France has the best hair and the cutest dog out of any of them. They can say all they want about her, but any lie is simply just Vichy.

Friend to America and Friendemy to England, she easily has the best hair out of the bunch and Germany always manages to ruin it!

Canada- Okay, kind of had to invite her. She’s England’s first cousin and America’ next door neighbor to the North. Although she hangs out with the pot smoking environmental hippie group and wears flannel, she’s loyal and kind. Canada is easy going and doesn’t care about the popular stuff. Plus she’s cool enough to be friends with everyone, including France in all fairness who is kind of a snob sometimes and totally is too obsessed with her hair. Oh and she gets along with Russia, and no one likes that shady biatch. In any event, Canada always brings great snacks and funny stories, and it offsets Russia and her depressing tales of winter and death. Canada’s Instagram handle is mapleleaf.

Quirky and a little out of the box but not totally a total obnoxious know it all demanding world domination. We like her. 

Poland- Oh this poor girl…..poor, poor girl. Poland is so beautiful but so dim witted. America’s 

mother made the bet she would graduate high school with child. And America’s mother suggested she do a nice thing and invite her. Poland isn’t a bad girl, just a hair twirling ditz on the lower track always cracking her bubble gum. But she is completely nice and works hard in school even though her marks aren’t high. Her outfits are always cute though and she is totally sweet, which is why England, America and occasionally France sticks up for her. (But France totally makes fun of her when she isn’t there). Germany and Russia are totally mean to her because they can be, but always shut up when America puts them in their place.

Nice and sweet, but everyone is always rolling over her like a war zone. 

Russia- Full name USSR, but she prefers her teachers call her Russia. She doesn’t like America, England and France and they do don’t like her. These eternal, spiteful friendemies have never said a bad word. However, they know Russia is totally shadily two faced. She is so your friend to your face but behind your back she is a different story. She’s not a gossip, but she’s always got some plan and it involves her getting over to get ahead. During the race for Homecoming Queen, Russia attempted to stuff the ballot box but lost. And then Russia started a coup to run for student government, but America wouldn’t recognize her campaign because her symbol was the hammer and sickle with the slogan Bolshevek, therefore making believe Russia didn’t exist, and Russia has never gotten over that. On occasion Russia, America, France, and England have been forced to work together on various school projects, and always with the highest grade in the class. But they are all so glad when it is over. Russia totally hates Germany, and no one likes that girl. Those two hate each other so much and go at it in every class because they want “world domination” and want to prove the other is “more superior.” Once in gym class the two got into a total catfight over Poland’s territory aka, Poland’s boyfriend. You see, Germany had invaded him first but then Russia had the same idea and it turned out they were both all over the same guy! Russia is a total downer, even though she is kinda pretty she tells depressing stories about winter and death at every party. And America had to invite Russia, she overheard America telling Poland about the party and you know how Russia can be.

Driven and intense, she just won't stop telling weird stories about death and world domination. 

Germany- Pretty, obnoxious, and athletic, Germany is a wannabe popular girl and like Russia will do anything to get ahead. Germany is more brazen than Russia, and has a chip on her shoulder that the popular girls won’t invite her to hang out, especially America. She thinks America is out of touch and knows nothing about high school politics. Germany wants to take over student government and believes in ridding the school of certain students, deporting these inferior beings to lesser districts, and even has said so when asked. She has a disturbing number of supporters, and even tried an unsuccessful Root Beer Hall Putsch to take over student government. Germany thinks she is better than everyone and even says it, something about her being “the master race.” The captain of the soccer team, she likes England, but England really doesn’t like her and promises her they will hang out but loses her number. Germany also kicks the ball in France’s face during gym class taunting her about always surrending, holding her hands up as she does so, and France always cries. Germany and Russia are total enemies as I said. Total enemies. They even had a twitter war last week. Germany said something about being a lesser being, and Russia said you are dumb enough to invade my personal space in winter. God those two never stop. Oh and the only reason she’s here tonight is because Germany totally invited herself.  

There she is, all about being athletic and Aryan

Austria- Germany’s first cousin, even though she only lives one town over the two are joined at the hip. Like America and England, they snap chat religiously and are always in each other’s business. The only downside is that Austria  goes to a different school, so those two can’t Nazi around as much as they want. But it never stops these two from doing what they need to do, and by looking at them you would swear they were so close they could just be annexed! Austria, like England, is more refined than Germany, and lives in a bigger, fancier house because her dad makes more money. She’s just as snotty, but less likely to say something brash and stupid. While she would never gossip about Germany, she does get a kick out of it when she makes a fool out of herself which is every 5 minutes. Austria and Germany’s favorite activity is making fun of France to her face and she makes it so easy, but most importantly, making fun of Italy behind her back. Despite the fact she lives one town over, Austria has organized their little effort by naming their clique The Axis Powers. She even has a secret facebook group for the friends to talk smack about others, especially Russia and America. The reason Austria is at the party tonight is because Germany told her as long as she’s going, Austria should come too. The upside of Austria, she brings some good, high class, rather expensive slumber party snacks.

Not as vocal but just as willing and complicit

Italy- Germany’s less popular but totally dedicated friend for life. Italy is actually a totally likeable girl, and America, France, and England would totally invite her, but they know she doesn’t make a move without Germany’s okay. And anywhere she goes, Germany is somewhere around the corner and we all know that nobody likes that girl. No one knows why Italy is friends with Germany. Maybe it’s because Germany knows how to throw a party, or she wants to avoid becoming like Poland. And Germany is so fake to her too, telling her she is awesome, all Roman Empire, but then totally making fun of her when she isn’t around with Austria helping out (and that girl is soooo fake). Italy is totally different when Germany is around, acting like her total hype woman, cruising all fascist to the mall. But she is so much prettier than Germany when she does her hair and makeup right, and the girl can cook. America and England totally thought of inviting her, and tried to but Germany was desperately listening in as usual. Alas, Italy is bringing some rockin, home cooked food to the slumber party. America doesn’t like stereotypes, but Italy has just fulfilled a good one.

I know you are all about the facist regime with no democracy, but you seriously need some new friends, girl. 

Japan- Germany’s bestie above all the rest. She kinda lives far away, but the two hang out on weekends. They met on Instagram and clicked because they had similar ideas. It was after Japan used the hashtag world domination for a selfie. Like Germany, she believes she is a member of the master race, so much so that it is her twitter handle. Japan has only met America once, but is super, duper jealous of all the attention she gets. Just to get even, Japan dressed up and tried to steal America’s boyfriend. Japan has never been mean to Poland because she doesn’t know her. She also doesn’t have a big mouth like Germany, and totally hates Russia because who doesn’t? (As we established no one likes that girl). Japan just rolls her eyes when Russia starts talking about her long winter……does she mean her period?! Actually, Japan never really gossips let alone speaks, but you know like Germany she has an opinion that she is the best. I heard she totally overheard Russia discussing an idea for a science project and stole it, winning first place in the competition. Russia was sooooooo pissed. But one could say Japan was a smash, almost atomic as a matter of fact.

She's a friend to Germany, Austria, and Italy but would so stab them in the back in a minute. But she has been shady to Russia all night. 

Friends of America, England, Canada, and Russia that could not attend: Yugoslavia, Norway, South Africa, Brazil, Belgium, Greece, China, Denmark and the Netherlands. (Each had reasons because of family stuff, etc. However, they are all keeping in touch via social media and jealous they are not there. They are also doing virtual eye rolls and gagging at how Russia is just so shady, not even smiling at the party, and Germany keeps acting like it is her night even though she went and crashed it, bringing her weirdo cousin weirdo friends. China really, really, really does not like Japan and is totally saying that outfit is like Nagasaki. But at least there’s Canada. Oh, and they are all kinda making fun of Poland, sorry, it’s a guilty pleasure).

Friends of Germany, Italy and Japan that could not attend: Hungary, Bulgaria, and Romania. (Like the others, family stuff, etc and are keeping track on social media. First and foremost, they are making fun of Poland and cannot believe Russia wore that outfit. But more than anything, they are so glad America is retaining water weight in her ankles. Finally there is something wrong with that girl. And of course they are going to lie and say she looks great the next time they see her. They are getting a kick out of the fact that Austria got an Instagram of Germany and Italy with magic marker all over there faces. It might have been Japan…….). 

But this party ends in all out war

Grandpa The Street Fighter

Today would have been my Pop Pop's 96th birthday. A gentle soul, he coached all six of his kids in swimming and worked as a meet official as well. My Pop Pop always told outlandish stories, too. It was hard not to love the man, and even harder not to take his passing personally.

A World War II Navy man, he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in his platoon of squids. I never knew much about his war adventures, but he mentioned in passing he was there when the atomic bomb was dropped. My Pop Pop would mention he was in the war, but the other details of his mission remained a mystery. Once, my brother Wendell interviewed him for a school project where he spoke more in detail than he ever had. Pop Pop felt the war was over, life went on I suppose.

Before the war, my Pop Pop had attended the University of Pittsburgh. While a student there, he had been an engineering major and quite a boxer. Once, when I was in high school my parents were away on a college visitation trip with my brother, and Pop Pop babysat. While he was watching us, I left my math book on the kitchen table. When I woke up, my Pop Pop was doing math problems. I was stunned. "Pop Pop, we have a television." I said gently. Later, my mom explained that as someone who was originally an engineer, my Pop Pop was not only good at math, but loved it.

I hate math with every fibre of my being and still do. My brother Wendell tolerates it, like the drug addict relative out of rehab and needing money yet again. As for my sister Skipper, she is good at it but they only have a casual relationship. Pop Pop, while originally an engineer, ended up taking over the family insurance business. It was because the war was over, he was recently married, and had a child on the way. This was the ready job he needed.

My Pop Pop was the type who never spoke about himself, but rather spoke about the accomplishments of his grandchildren instead. Whether it was Mindy and Meara and their success as dancers,one with City Baller and the other at the university as a dance professor respectively. Or my cousin Martin and his art. Then there was my other cousin Timmy who almost went to the Olympics as a skiier. Lest we not forget Skipper and Wendell and their success in the science and medical fields. Cody and Blaze, my younger cousins, excelled in baseball and soccer. And then there's my newest cousin Valery.

My Pop Pop was the first person to buy my book, and read it in a single night. I offered to give it to him as a gift, but he insisted on paying for it. His last outing before he passed Thanksgiving Day was my book signing.

What I did not know was that my Pop Pop was so skilled as an athlete. I had seen him swim, and he played tennis well into his 80s. However, I never knew he was a boxer. This is the video my mom and I took of my 95 year old grandfather demonstrating his moves.

RIP Pop Pop, you were da man.


Love
April
I Came, I Saw, I Sang: Memoirs of a Singing Telegram Delivery Girl
Available through Barnes and Noble/Amazon

Pele's Nightmare: A Recap

Yes, yesterday Brazil was defeated by the German soccer team. Actually, Brazil was not defeated. No Sir, no M'am. They were flattened. If I didn't know better I would have thought Germany was playing Poland. Yes, it was that bad. I kid you not. I was there.

Historically Poland is Germany's side piece. They never commit, fuck her over, and never return her phone calls. 

But anyway, enough about that and enough World War 2 humor. I couldn't help myself. It was so bad never have I seen the Brazilian people so mightily disrespected since the days of the conquistadors. Yeah, as in the natives are completely wiped out and the people cannot recover from their crushing defeat.

Yes it was that bad.....just like it was centuries ago. 

Brazil is a soccer powerhouse, and I thought they were going to give Germany a fight. Yeah, but they didn't. Germany scored 5 times in 11 minutes. Are you kidding me? Are you fucking kidding me? I didn't know whether to laugh or cry watching this display. The German's were beating them like an abused red headed step child. While I was rooting for Germany because they play smart soccer, I felt bad for Brazil. It was like they had either given up on life or sent their pee wee squad. Their soccer team was just like their economy, third world and sucktacular.

Start asking God for help cause you don't got a prayer in hell, Mister.

The Brazilian fans were beside themselves. As a matter of fact, within twenty minutes of the game they were crying pitifully and melting down just like their team was. National Pride. Fuck that shit. Try national shame. Yes, I would be ashamed of these morons too. Where was the fight? Where was the effort? Did they party too hard at Carnival?

These men played so badly they made women and children cry. Shame, shame, shame.

The German's played well, but then again this game was easier than the girl who bangs the entire football team in high school.

My spirit animal Thomas Muller was the stand out of the game as usual. This man gets his head busted open, gets black eyes, and for the most part can't walk. Yet he is scoring most of the goals. Yeah, Brazil's lead scorer was out with injury. But injury doesn't stop Muller. Yes, he is a left over from an old experiment and has been genetically engineered. This is why he is so super human.

He only has one expression with his Wolverine DNA

As for Schweinsteiger, he was amazing as usual. Not to mention a total hottie. His job was easier than ever, and he was probably glad he could go home afterwards too. I never get tired of watching this hot dog weiner worst. He can jump in my bun anytime.

He can hit me with his Schweinsteiger any day. Muh muh muh

Of course my favorite is Ozil. I always love how he runs up and down the field, and his bug eyes just light up. I mean, they get real big. They literally do pop out of his head. Ozil is hysterical to watch. You know he was probably bully meat back in school. Still, Lil Bug Eyes is doing quite well for himself now. The love child of Peter Lorre and a half blood princess is supposedly dating a pop singer.

Father and son......

But for serious, Brazil really sucked yesterday. It was so bad Germany let them score a pity goal at the end. Did you see that? And they also didn't gloat, because how could you? It was like running a race against someone on crutches. That's not even the worst part. The Brazilian fans, so beside themselves, started cheering for Germany. It's like Rocky IV when the Russians started cheering for Rocky when Ivan Drago sucked. To the credit of Germany, they were kindly victors. They comforted the team after they were crushed so terribly.

Either way, this was just terrible. I am selling the story as a screenplay to Hollywood. It will be entitled Pele's nightmare. While I have not yet cast the project, the sound track will be the crying of Brazilian fans as their team tanks it on the field.

Sigh Mc Sigh Sigh. Today I will be covering the Argentina v. Netherlands game on Ranter. Follow my completely biased commentary by downloading it on iphone and Android. Toodles.

A silly image after such carnage and tragedy. 

What is a Veteran?

What is a veteran? We see the commercials with guys in uniform and think, oh the benefits they get are sweet. They march in a lot of parades, and then some talk about the war and are so old that they lose track of the stories. Sometimes we even think of the crazy man up the street posed on his front porch with a rifle in case of foreign attack. Other times we think of a family member and memories of an aunt or uncle flying a flag to wish them luck overseas and a safe return. More ofteh than not they are lost in translation and definition and we think, "Oh, do I get the day off work? Yipee!"

The American GI has always been there. From the beginning of America, since we have gotten our independence we have made ourselves clear. We are a force to be reckoned with. Even after the Civil War, when Maximillion violated the Monroe Doctorine, both Union and former Confederates fought together to give Mexico it's dignity once again. It was because we are America. We rode on San Juan Hill, victorious against Spain and gaining Guam and Puerto Rico under the red, white, and blue. We were there in World War I, fighting in Europe against the Kaiser and helping to end the monopoly of monarchy, letting the world know that the US was there. In World War II we heard cheers when the helpless people were liberated from concentration camps and then raised the flag in Iwojima in that memorable photo. We were there in Korea, to say no to Communism as well as Vietnam. We returned in the Persian Gulf against Saddam to say genocide was wrong. And now we are in Iraq and Afghanistan saying there is a better way, it is called peace and democracy.

When I think of an American GI I think of someone who serves their country and is grateful and humble as a result of their duty. I think of my grandfather, who was in the navy during World War II and told a story about riding the subway with the Japanese troops once to my brother during a report. My grandfather confessed that while it was a daunting trip the Americans respected their so called enemy. My grandfather remarked that while they lost, they didn't complain. If anything they respected those who conquered them and wanted to do everything possible to rebuild their cities shattered and were willing to work with the Americans to do so. My grandfather always maintained that no one wanted to drop the bomb, and those women and children are still in his prayers. Aside from being a veteran he is a fighter all around. A three time cancer survivor and also escaping from a near fatal car wreck, my grandfather is ninety four and still swims and plays tennis. Although not as mobile as he once was, since his eye surgery he is driving without glasses and stayed up to read my book in a single night.

I also think of my other grandfather, whom I never met because he died before I was born. He was a master machinist and was eager to serve his country, however they were slow to draft him because they needed his expertise in building weapons. My grandfather was a part of the troops who dropped the bomb. After the war, he was in Japan doing guard duty. He saw women and children eating out of garbage cans in a city devistated. Whenever he could, my grandfather gave them fresh food, proving while he was a so-called enemy, they were still innocent people. One kid he was on duty with, a hot head, shot and killed a little old vagrant because he believed the man was stealing. Fined a pack of cigarettes, my grandfather was disgusted that he got away with murder and decked him breaking his nose. While the kid never got time in jail my grandfather let him know that he had abused his duty, and that as an American soldier his job as to watch out for people, even the so called enemy.

The American soldier is a protector in a great many ways. My great uncle Gregory, a bit of a lunitic, had been a part of the forces that liberated those imprisoned in the concentration camp. He had heard the cheering from those deemed unfit whether they be Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, Slavs or anyone else. One thing my uncle hated was the Nazi's. He always said that their mission was nothing but pure evil and we lived in a world where no one had the right to decide who belonged and who didnt. While my uncle loved dirty jokes and loved to talk about shooting Nazi's, he had a low tolerance for hate and prejudice. He worked side by side peacefully with blacks before the dawn of Civil Rights. He had fought a war with them. Why not?

Colin Powell once wrote an article for Time Magazine about who the American GI was. During his peace he told a touching story about a Japanese businessman, who unfortunately was interned with his family during World War II. The kid, ripped from his home because of his race and afraid, was crying in a corner. An American soldier, taking pity on the child, gave him a Hershey Bar. Years later, the businessman made friends with Colin Powell and as a gesture of good will, the General gave him a Hershey bar and the man became teary eyed.

American soldiers are heros, protectors, fighters for the forces of good in a world of evil. They are brave, humble, and always ready to take on the next challenge. Unfortunately some of them are also another thing: forgotten.

Yes, forgotten. When Vietnam broke out, many of the kids drafted were only eighteen. Poor for the most part, they knew nothing about the place where they were destined to meet their end except that it was on the map, somewhere near Japan and China, and had a lot of jungle. When they were fighting a war that many feel we had no place in there were people who called them baby killers. There were people who booed them. They served their country and they got the stones of hatred thrown in their faces. In my opinion, as I have seen the legless vets begging for change over the years I believe that America as a whole should be ashamed of themselves.

My uncle had a brother Bernie who was a Vietnam vet. A drug addict who dated prostitutes, he was an easily punchline for myself and my cousins as he carried on with his antics whether it was running from an angry pimp or peeing in public. However my mother said, "It is important to have compassion for him. He saw some terrible things in Vietnam. Things no one is the same after seeing. Be kind to him, there are others in his same boat."

Bernie and the rest of the Vietnam generation teach us a painful lesson, soldiers are soldiers called to do a job. While sometimes as Americans we might not support the war, we must support them. To us they are heros risking their lives overseas. They are in places that are foreign with enemies who have nothing to lose. They deserve our prayers, compassion, respect, and gratitude. When they step off the plane they deserve a hero's welcome. They deserve a thank you.

But then I know a veteran friend of mine who does know how to say thank you and leads the way. His name is Dave Rosner. He is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marines. He is a Jewish Marine which is quite unusual. Dave uses his unique mixture of identities to pursue a career as a standup comedian. Dividing his time between active duty, USO Shows, and a career in NYC he produces shows for veteran's hospitals. Some of the comedians have served while others like myself have not. Nonetheless we all walk away with tremendous respect for the men and women who have served our country. Whenever they served, wherever they served they are always first and foremost in our hearts. They also deserve a good laugh and comedy show like anyone else, and Dave knows that. Dave has also been a good friend, who got me to shop my book around in order to be published when I didn't know what the next step was. A regular talking head on TV, check out Dave's book Full Metal Foreskin about his adventures as a Jewish Marine.

Of course much like my friend Dave I have friends who have gone through officer training like Darren Joyce from my high school. A hockey player and champion boxer, he is using his expertise at math and his good heart not only to protect others but to lead heroically. While possessing a humble attitude outside the boxing ring, he is probably hell to reckon with on the battlefield. I am not complaining. He is a friend in real time and a fighter where it counts. I am thrilled he is in charge of protecting me. In his mix is Jeff Kohler and Bethany Kaufman, both graduates of Annapolis. Both hardworking on the field and off, they are also in officer training as we speak. Keeping America safe and taking our security to the next level. When they are on the job we can sleep, end of story.

I also see my friend Keith Godwin and his wife, a former Army bootcamp instructor making a difference in the community. Keith, a former Marine who used to guard the border between the Koreas, puts on comedy show at drug rehabs, hospitals, and churches. His service in the corps has shown him that the world is not that big. Why not? I always tease him about his wife kicking his butt, but a holy woman she is also a minister. Both use their talents for good and to spread laughter and hope. Both are the epitome of service.

In that mix I cannot forget my friend Rick Carino, a former navy man who once gave me a joke about going down under for a show for the armed forces. Rick is the poster boy for the can do attitude of the armed forces. Once I did a show of his in Connecticut and Rick did everything from fill the place to build the stage. I wondered how he had the wherewithall to carry on such a mission. Then I remembered when one lives under water for months at a time they can do anything. Rick also has a very postive attitude, one of perseverence. Once I was complaining and Rick told me to get over it and get a better attitude. He didn't validate my stupidity, true friends never do. Another time I was going through a rough patch, one that tested our friendship. I apologized and Rick told me it was water under the submarine and time to move on. It was time for the next mission. It was time to keep on going, the attitude that has kept America the land of the free and the home of the brave.

In time the face of the American GI is changing. The service academies are allowing women in. Male leaders have seen the big picture and female leaders zeroing in on the specifics and being passionate about the mission, a fluid mixture to make us even stronger in both war and peace. Also, the tyrranical Don't Ask Don't Tell has been lifted. This means the military now welcomes LGBTQ people eager to serve diligently who want nothing more than to protect this country and to help those who have been abused by dictators around the world. It means people like my friend Martin can not only march in tomorrow's parade, but can also be who he is while we salute him and thank him for his bravery and service.

Tomorrow we must thank all the brave men and women for their service. We must salute them. We must say thank you.

We must also pray for those like my former classmate Russell Kurtz who lost his life in Iraq. While his holiday is in May, he was still a part of the effort, a part of the solution to make this world a better place.

We must also remember that tomorrow is not a day off or another chance to sleep in. It is a chance to show our gratitute. It is a chance to remember that there are a lot of eighteen year old kids who lost their lives so that we can complain about the president, vote, and use our first amendment that we all freely throw around and thanklessly abuse. When we complain about how we don't like the president or the laws or whatever, we seem to forget those young men who fought in Europe, the Pacific, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan. Now let's take a moment to remember how we got our rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Let's remember who fought overseas and gave us the strength as a whole to say that monarchs abusing power and a dictator deciding who was fit to be a part of the human race and who was not based or religion is wrong. Let us remember how they brought those lessons back because they fought together and now as a nation we say racism, sexism, and descrimination against LGBTQ people is wrong. By being brave they passed the gift on to us so we can use it day to day as Americans. So we can say yes we can, meet challenges, and make it through anything.

It is a chance to remember what a veteran is.

Love April
I Came, I Saw, I Sang: Memoirs of a Singing Telegram Delivery Girl
www.buybooksontheweb.com
877-Buy-Book

Come to my book signing Thursday November15
Hoboken
Symposia Books
510 Washington St
7 pm
Portion of proceeds go to the victims of Sandy
See you there xo