Every day we send out a Salute to Troop – our heartfelt bit of thanks to American service men and women giving so much for our country.

In honor of Veterans Day, we'd like to offer a very special thank you to our troops.

Check out our special edition of the podcast. It's all about you, troops!

Thanks, again, for all you do for us.

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This salute is from Robin Gregory to her son PFC Aaron William Oxenford who is with the Army Infantry and deployed to Al-Nasiriyah, Iraq.

Aaron has been in Iraq since May, and was unable to celebrate his first anniversary with his new wife Danielle Oxenford. They were married a year on 8/20/2009 (which was also his Grandmother Carol Smale's birthday).

Aaron has one sister (Kelly Gregory) and two brothers (Kyle Gregory and Jonathan Oxenford).

Aaron is a 2004 graduate of Southern Lehigh High School. Aaron is an avid musician, and plays many different instruments. Aaron is an animal lover and is being missed by his beloved dog Curtis. Aaron will be celebrating his 24th birthday this Halloween.

Be safe, know that we love you, we're all proud of you, and our best wishes for a happy birthday!

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This salute is from Angela Gaffner to her son Specialist Cory Gaffner, Army Reserves.

"Cory is an Army Reservist out of Phoenix, AZ 348th transportation unit 365 day tour in Afghanistan stationed at Camp Leatherneck, He is a Driver and a 50 cal gunner.

He has been there for 2 months so far and he is keeping his spirits up, He enjoys representing his country and feels very proud about what he is doing, he is a wonderful young man with a lot of love in his heart. He is planning on having a huge wedding on September 18th, 2010 to his fiancée Brittany."

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A new poll shows Romney up front in Iowa.

Just wanted to update you all on my son,s status, here are a couple of pics as well as a letter that was just written to me

It states as follows:

"Mom I am well do not worry about me, I love my friends here and I love my missions which I finally started. I am very proud to be doing what Im doing. Sorry I have not got a chance to write, things have been crazy here. I'm a 50 cal gunner and a driver now.

When you roll out on a convoy all the other soldiers and marines look at you like you are some kind of HERO. 90% of the people on the post will never even go out of the front gate like I do on a DAILY basis. I miss my home, I miss my family and my dogs, Arizona in general and yes, I miss my wife. This place is not that bad, time is going by fast. This is the stuff I want to tell my grandkids about, disgruntled old veteran suits me just fine. Thank you for sending packages, I really could use some more wet wipes and I loved those white grape juice drinks.

Love,
Cory
(Camp Leatherneck)"

- Angela Gaffner

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A new poll shows Romney up front in Iowa.

My wife, Sargent Eboni Johnson, is a very strong, loving and caring woman. She is not only a great soldier but a great mother. As well she is a Christian who loves to serve God and have fun with family and friends, and she always has a smile on her face.

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Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

Eye gouging is an act so deplorable it's not acceptable in even the most violent of sports. Mixed martial arts will let you elbow a guy in the head, but not gouge an eye. Pro wrestling will let you hit a guy with a chair, grab his hair, or step on his head, but no eye gouging.

Hey Spikes, watch where you put those fingers, ok?

Apparently the act of trying to blind someone who is defenseless is not a big deal for the Florida football program or the Southeastern Conference. Gator linebacker Brandon Spikes was caught on-camera blatantly jamming his fingers into the facemask of Georgia’s Washaun Ealey. And now his coach, Urban Meyer, suspended him for a half in their upcoming game against Vanderbilt. A HALF a game for what is basically assault.

Now, I’m not so naïve to think eye gouging doesn’t happen all the time. I know Spikes just got caught. But that doesn’t make it right and it’s why he should have at least SOME kind of punishment that sends a message that these kinds of things are not tolerable.

Tim Tebow—who I normally respect a great deal—said, “I don’t think we did anything in that game that they didn’t do.” This is supposed to be the team’s leader in every sense of the word and he’s justifying it by saying essentially, “Well, those guys did it too.” So essentially, his excuse is since they were doing it, we were doing it too.

Meyer said he doesn’t “condone” Spikes' behavior. Really? That’s good since he could have blinded the guy. Glad to hear you don’t “condone” trying to blind someone.

The people who should be the most upset about Spikes' behavior and his coach’s non-punishment are Florida Gator fans. UF is the reigning BCS National Champion. They hold themselves to a higher standard. To inadequately penalize this means that they also hold themselves to a double standard.

What gets me mad is, coaches are supposed to not just be churning out football players they’re supposed to be churning out men. They’re not just supposed to build champions but build character. Meyer’s response basically confirms what we all inherently knew—the NCAA isn’t about achieving excellence. It’s about winning and generating money off the backs of unpaid athletes many of whom will never play the sport after college. It just would be nice if those in positions of authority like conference cfficials or Meyer would pretend it’s not all about that.

It would also be nice if we could discourage behavior that could leave a player with long-term or permanent injury once they leave school.

Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen

It’s just 5 weeks away, and my legs are barkin’. The Las Vegas Rock ‘N Roll marathon/half marathon is December 6th! I am the honorary chairman for the Crohn’s and Colitis foundation of American, the official charity for this race.

I love being part of Team Challenge, the group of people that are racing and raising money for the foundation. You can check them out at ccteamchallenge.org.

Many of the team members have Crohn’s or colitis, yet they power through it and train for the race anyway. These guys are the true heroes in my opinion.

I just ran 9 miles while being healthy Sunday for training and I feel like a bus hit me this morning.

This is the 3rd half marathon of the year for me, and I think I am done running for a while after this. I love and respect the people that have these diseases so much that I can suck it up for one last this year, it’s the least I can do!

Wish me luck, and in a few weeks I’ll solicit for some jokes to tell while I MC the event at the MGM in Vegas.

Rute Belanger and her husband Army Major John Belanger.

Major John Belanger is on his 4rd deployment. He also has a birthday next month. John joined the military when he was 18 and he is turning 41.

John is my best friend; he is a Transportation Offices assigned to 82nd Division from FT Bragg, NC. John works hard and loves to have fun, especially in sports. He is a great athlete; he has run numerous triathlons and marathons, he plays and coaches hockey. He is very energetic and committed to live a healthy well balanced life.

Happy Birthday sweetheart! We love and miss you and can't wait to see you soon. We are so proud of you!

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Navy Senior Airman Benjamin Frank and his children.

We want to salute our Soldier, Sr A Benjamin Frank with the 151st CES, EOD team serving in OEF Afghanistan. He is a Dad, a wrestling buddy, a husband, and a best friend. He has been gone over a month and we miss him like crazy!

Ben has left behind 3 little boys and his princess who writes him daily and are trying to be as strong as they can to help out Mom while Dad is gone. We can't wait for his return home in April.

We love him so much and we are very proud of what he is doing for our family and for the country. Stay strong and keep safe, Love you babe!

- Tera Frank

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Sarah Walker and her husband Army Specialist Wesley Walker.

Specialist Wesley Walker is not only the love of my life, but the most amazing person that I've ever met.

After enlisting in the military straight out of high school, he left his friends and family and moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He is constantly giving 100%, regardless of whether or not he feels up to it.

After us only being married for 6 months, he left for Iraq in January of 2009. I never thought I could be so proud of someone as I am of him.

After meeting him once, you will remember him forever. He always can put a smile on your face, even when you're having the worst day. I love Wesley more than anything in the entire world, and am incredibly proud to call such a thoughtful, caring, intelligent, and all around unbelievable person my husband. Every day I'm amazed at how lucky I am.

I never thought at 20 years old that I'd be married, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Wesley makes me proud to call myself an Army wife.

- Sarah Walker

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