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Take time to thank a veteran
By Richard C. Snell Barton County Extension Agent Kansas You know those commercials where the old football coach motions for the old armchair football fan to hit the tackling dummy and he just bounces off? Also, the one where the player in the locker room has a dislocated finger and the trainer pops it back into place and it's the out-of-shape amateur guy who is watching that faints. The theme of those commercials is--you'd never make it in pro football. Today, I don't want to discuss pro football but instead, our military veterans. These are people I have a high degree of respect for. Perhaps it is because I never had to serve in the military. Actually, out of five boys in our family, I am the only one who didn't see military time. Ironically, my dad was the only one of five boys in his family, not to see some military time. What's the deal with pro football. Well, I guess I feel I probably wouldn't make it in the military anymore than I would in pro football. With Veterans Day upon us, being it's normal Nov. 11, but observed on the 12th because of it falling on Sunday this year, I thought I would deviate a bit from my normal agriculture and horticulture topics. Veterans Day is the one holiday that focuses the most on our military people. We honor them a bit at Memorial Day and Independence Day, but the first one has moved to honoring all of our dead and the latter is more of our overall freedom and nationality. Veterans Day shouldn't be just another day off from work (our office will be closed) or a day on the calendar. We need to honor our veterans from all the previous wars, as well as the battles we are waging in Iraq and Afghanistan now. Regardless of how you feel about the present war, our troops are doing a job we wouldn't want do, in a place we wouldn't want to be. I think most Americans wish that we could end the war, but there is disagreement on how to accomplish that. I watched with interest the documentary about World War II that was on public television recently. I have always enjoyed history and feel there is a lot to be gained from the knowledge of it. You need to know where you have already been, to help you plan for your future. As I watched that series of programs, I thought of Bill Van Skike, a former co-worker, who is one of only a handful of World War II veterans that I know, still around. Take notice, freedom isn't free. We often take it for granted. Many people have fought and died for our freedom. Many others suffered injury, mental anguish and saw friends killed. These are things that I imagine are difficult to get through even if you physically survive it. Their lives are changed forever. The only tie-in I will make with agriculture is this: Like the military veterans, farmers are largely under appreciated. It looks like a glamorous, fun job to some. However, most of those who think that, couldn't make it in farming. They would bounce off the combine or the tractor instead of the tackling dummy. They would find out that it's easy until you have to make decisions which can make or break your business and spend long hours out in the field after everyone else is home. That's why we thank farmers when we celebrate Ag Day yearly. This time it's the military veterans we are recognizing and thanking. So, thank you and a handshake to all who have ever served in the military and especially to those who have had to actually go into battle. Most of all, to those who actually died in combat, we salute you. Opening day was a good one Last Saturday (Nov. 3) was the opening day of pheasant season. Sometimes I write about it in advance but since they moved it up a week to compete with Nebraska on their opening date, it kind of slips up on me. Bird populations were really good in most areas of central and western Kansas. Most of the people I talked with said they got their limit or close to it in the morning. Usually, when we have good rainfall in the first half of the year and don't have devastating hail storms over too large of an area, we have good pheasant numbers. I am not a big time hunter, mostly because I don't like to have to clean the birds and I am not really into shooting what I am not going to eat. I am somewhat jealous of the people that really like to hunt. There are several benefits to hunting other than the economy. The economy alone is a big deal when you look at the hunting licenses, motel, restaurant, shot gun shells, convenience stores and other things money is spent on. It brings dollars into our area and our state that wouldn't be here otherwise. The guys who go hunting (I realize some of you ladies hunt also, but you are in the minority of hunters) develop male bonding, get good exercise from all the walking, get their dogs exercised and bond with them. On years like this, hunting also thins the bird population down to where fewer of them will starve in the winter. So, it's a win-win. Oh, and for those of you who missed it but still want to hunt, some of the best hunting is yet to come, after you have let the pheasants and quail calm down from that initial onslaught. Rides to upcoming meetings I will be headed to Salina for the Kansas Commodity Classic Nov. 13 and to Swine Day at K-State Nov. 15. Call me at 620-793-1910 for rides. Date: 11/8/07
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