After years of thinking about it, I finally too the time and researched on the eligibility and submitted my application to become a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars(VFW).

Once I had my membership card, I scheduled a time for me to go to the local VFW in my area (Post 1265 Pawcatuck CT) so that I may transfer my membership to that post.

The room was nothing to look at, a pool table, music playing, and a bar with stool to sit on. If this was a local bar, you might not want to even stop by and have a drink. That was my first impression.

While filling out the paperwork, I asked the bar person (female) if they server any meals here. She replied that they did not. Well if you know me, you would know that I like to joke around. upon hearing her statement, I quickly replied " This must be a drinking man's post!!!"

Everyone agreed and laughed.

Not one to seem out of place I ordered a beer to drink that I will never finish (its 12:30 pm). I'm not alone sittingat the bar. Two elderly people are also sitting there drinking, but it looked like thery were there more for the social contact than really drinking.

Once I finished the paperwork, I was able to really look at my soon to be post. The service poster you would expect to see in any military orgination, a board where people have placed their business cards (which I quickly added some of my cards),and announcement board for the next steak dinner, the us flag and other posters that I really can not recall. Then I began to see something that you don't see too often...

A dinner table reserved for our fallen comrades who will never be able to attend, another bulliten board listing  active service members who are currently deployed to Iraq,  announcement on service member support, old pictures of men in their uniform, and yet another board listing members who have recently passed away.

I was blown away at the amount of history in that room, at the many sacrifices that each and everyone, myself included, had made while serving our country.

Sun Tsu once wrote that "The sole purpose of the military is to enforce the policy of the state" it was true then and it is still true today.

We owe a lot to these service men and women. At all times, peace or war, they serve(d) to protect our values and our honor, our lives and our famliy. Even if you don't like war and what it stands for, we owe these men and women our thanks and respect.

In my eyes the room changed to something better. It was the best bar I have ever been in!