I think many people just pay lip service to vets on this day because to not do so is unpatriotic or whatever epithet you want to use.  Yeah, so I might be cynical.  This is nothing new.

I can, however, say with the utmost conviction that I appreciate the 30,000 or so troops standing between me and the maniacal Communist antics of Kim Jong-Il.  Especially after visiting the Joint Security Area last weekend and literally feeling the tension in the air the entire time.  Standing less than 50 feet away were actual wartime enemies, armed and perpetually pissed.  Here’s a shot of them (hint: the guys in dark olive = EVIL)

They were taking photos of each other with us as the background.  Down with Capitalism or something.  Cooler yet, I’m gonna be in some North Korean soldier’s family photo album forever!  Oh, and those two soldiers closest to the border (the concrete slab running between the two buildings) face each other in case one tries to defect so the other can shoot him.  Nice, huh?

It was good to go there and see exactly what it’s all really about.  My only regret was not telling the soldier guide (also in the picture) what was on my mind.