As you all probably know, today is Veterans Day...a day set aside to recognize those who are or have served in the military...and especially to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and died in the line of duty. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day for November 11, 1919.

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

If you want to learn more about the history of Veterans Day, the U.S. Army Center of Military History website summarizes it fairly well and can be found here.

I recall posting a blog on Veterans Day before, but when I searched on this day last year I realized it wasn't 2011, so I went all the way back to November 11, 2010 and found the blog I did for Veterans Day back then. Reading something I posted from two years ago was interesting, especially since this was one of my favorite blogs (even though it doesn't really talk about video games). I'm going to link it here in case any of you are interested, but be warned it has lots of pictures, including one of yours truly.

Answering the Real Call of Duty

Hah, I always liked that title. Anyway...man that seems like so long ago. This year I thought I would do something a little different that was inspired from a recent blog by Keyes announcing his (temporary) departure from Game Informer while he is off attending U.S. Air Force bootcamp. This was something I talked to Keyes about for a while now, so I wasn't all that surprised, but it was still somewhat shocking hearing the day has finally come. So what better way to remember Veterans Day, than by saluting those at Game Informer who I know have served, are serving...or like Keyes...are going to serve. Obviously I only know a fraction of the people that hang out at Game Informer Online, so this is a very short list. I would encourage you to leave a comment if you have served, know someone who is serving, or just want to pay your respects.

Remembering Those Who Have Served

Chris Mrkvicka

I think Chris will always be known as "Demon" to me, heh heh, which was his original name (Demon Ragnarok) here at GIO. He has a larger than life personality and has been known to be somewhat controversial, but I still like him. He's passionate about his perspectives, posts some of the most thought provoking blogs full of statistics and industry happenings you'll ever find, and we just seem to have a lot in common. I know Chris is former Army - Military Police, and did a tour in Iraq Afghanistan (oops)...a tense job as you can very likely imagine.

sealsaa

Of all the members mentioned on this list, sealsaa is the one I know the least but respect just as much as the others. He's former Navy, so he obviously earns cool points in my book for that. My guess is that he was attached to a ship and very likely made his share of deployments around the world, taking him away from home for months at a time. Sealsaa still hangs out at the website, is more active in the forums than the blogging section, but you'll see his name from time to time. He's a straight shooter and calls it like he sees it. Firm...but fair.

Tactical Rash

TR as I would sometimes call him used to be active around here...then he went off and grew up and he and his wife had a baby that occupies a lot of his time now. Every now and then he'll pop in to let those who still remember him know he is alive and well. He is also former Army and also did a tour in Iraq. I can only imagine how much his squad mates must've loved serving with him (although his CO might not have) - he has a relentless sense of humor that will keep you laughing long after you should have stopped. I miss him, but respect that he is focusing on his family and being a good daddy.

Remembering Those Who Are Serving

drubacca117

Drubacca117 is a fine young man with a short fuse but a mostly friendly disposition. He was a great friend and valued member of the GIO family and posted a handful of blogs, including the infamous "sandwich" blog. Drubacca117 has deployed around the world a few times, including his latest trip that took him to the DMZ - that little strip of land between North and South Korea. Last I heard he was still in the Air Force.

sakabato24 "Saka"

Believe it or not, Saka was one of the original members of Member Herding (number 7). He disappeared from GIO for a while, came back and next thing I know, he runs off and joins the Air Force where as far as I know (as of September), he is still serving and stationed in Italy. It's been a long time, but Saka used to publish video blogs (VLOGS) and was the resident expert on fighting games.

Remember Those Who Are About To Serve

Keyes

Keyes has always been one of my favorite GIO community members. He always struck me as a more mature individual and I naturally assumed he was my age based on our conversations. When I learned that he was just a teenager my respect for him grew even more. He was always polite and professional...and always supported the community as an active audience member who left comments and feedback in the forums and to many of the bloggers. He was also the 50^th member of Member Herding. I think he'll be very successful in his new adventure in the Air Force and am confident he and others like him are prepared to carry the torch for those who have retired or are no longer serving.

I know that the war in Iraq and Afghanistan are not very popular among the citizens of this fine country, and this fact has somewhat diminished the unwavering and unanimous support the military has previously enjoyed from the rest of the nation, but I would offer that besides being warfighters, members of the Armed Forces are primarily peacekeepers and also respond to natural disasters like they are tonight in New York, New Jersey and other parts of the New England area. The military engages in humanitarian aid around the world that often goes unnoticed and unreported...just something to think about.

In closing, it's easy to think about heroes being those characters like Master Chief, Nathan Drake or Gordon Freeman...but if you ask me, this is what I think of when I think about what it takes to be a hero.

Hero

All the men and women who have paid the ultimate price defending freedom, whose names I may not know, but whose sacrifice I will never forget.

In loving memory of HM3 Ruiz, you are not forgotten. Salute.

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." -John 15:13

Take care, have a great night...and be free.