I had a few things in the hopper for this morning but the more I think about it the more I think today's a day to lay aside a lot of the disagreements, arguments and battles that are such an important part of the rest of the political year.  I'm sure there are folks who'll disagree and we'll see attacks and politics-as-usual all over the web today... there'll be folks who'll want to use today to criticize the Bush administration, to criticize the war on terror, to criticize conservatives...

But I'm not firing back.

Memorial Day is a time to reflect and appreciate those who've come before, those who've laid down their lives and to say a prayer for those who are fighting and battling now to give us the freedom to have these discussions.

I've said it before but I can never say it enough, to our guys in uniform, THANK YOU.  My boys Josh, Tom and Phil over in the Sandbox... James and Sean deployed here stateside... Chris and Eric just back... and this year my brother Ted out at West Point prepping for the next seven years of his life... love you guys and you're in my prayers every day.

If you, fair reader, get an opportunity, head out to one of the parades or BBQs in your area and find a veteran or two and tell then "thanks!"  Activity details can be found here...

Search by City:  Michigan.org

Ann Arbor Area:  Ann Arbor News

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Lenawee County:  Adrian Telegram

Mid-Michigan:  WILX (Lansing)

Mid-Michigan:  Lansing State Journal

Muskegon Area:  Muskegon Chronicle

Northern Michigan:  Gaylord Herald Times

Southeast Michigan:  Detroit Free Press

Southwest Michigan:  Kalamazoo Gazette