• 9 U.S. Flags (two miniatures, six flown properly, one haphazardly tied to a stick)
• 6 magnetic "yellow ribbon" car magnets

    Not a single properly illuminated flag.  Sadly, in each instance the U.S. Colors were left in the dark.  

    Nor were there any veteran-related displays or decorations whatsoever.  

    Of course, I guess that an actual illuminated picture or image of a hometown military veteran was too much to expect.  However, I did see quite a few expensive illuminated Thanksgiving decorations though (and even an early Christmas display!...see picture).  

    Is it any wonder that there is such a crying need for the VeteranShield Project?

                                                                

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    I also spent some time yesterday afternoon finishing up a pet project that I've been working on.  

    As a young Marine recruit, I was drilled to memorize and recite the Rifleman's Creed.  Borrowing heavily from that tradition, here's an updated Guardian Creed that I've created for the VeteranShield Project:

                                                                   My Veteran 
                                               (The Creed of the VeteranShield Guardian)

    This is my Veteran.  There are many like him or her, but this one is mine.

    My Veteran served our nation with honor.  It is my honor to serve the memory of my Veteran.  I must honor my Veteran as I honor my own life.  I will...

    Without my remembrance, my Veteran is left faceless and forgotten in the past.  Without the memory of my Veteran, I am left without heritage or hope for the future.  Therefore, I must save the memories of my Veteran.  I must shield the memories of my Veteran.  I must share the memories of my Veteran.  I will...

    We know that what counts as lasting remembrance are not the parades, the ceremonies, the speeches, or even the museums and memorials.  We know that it is only the precious personal stories of our Veterans, saved and shared, that count.  Our families and communities must remember our Veterans' stories, so that our Veterans will live forever.  We will remember...

    Our Veteran's stories are ones of sacrifice and service, in the defense of freedom and democracy, often at the greatest possible cost.  As a testament of my love, respect and gratitude, I will strive to fully understand and retell my Veteran's story.  I will learn of the names, the dates, the deployments, the units, the locations, the battles, the wounds, the deaths, the hopes, the fears, the mistakes, the regrets, the successes, the friendships, the humor, the loneliness, the homesickness, the boredom, the pain, the pride, the valor, the suffering, the striving, the courage.  I will...

    My VeteranShield is a priceless heirloom, because I have filled it with the cherished images and words of my Veteran.  I will proudly and publicly display it whenever appropriate, and thereby share the story of my Veteran within my community.  I will ever guard it against the ravages of vandals, thieves, weather and damage.  I will keep it clean and polished, even as I am clean and polished.  As the years pass, we will become part of each other.  We will...

    Before God I swear this creed.  My VeteranShield and I are the defenders of my Veteran's memory.  We are the masters of remembrance.  We are the Guardians of our country's honor.

    So be it, until the end of time...