A year ago I did a Runt Rant on the subject of Dog Tags. A friend of mine lost a son to the Iraq War. He honored me with a gift of his son's commemorative dog tag. I vowed to wear it every national holiday that honored our veterans.

This last month, April, was the anniversary month of his son's sacrifice for all of us. I determined on the actual anniversary date that I would wear the Dog Tag as a remembrance and honor. And so I did. That evening a year ago as I removed the Dog Tags from my neck, I wondered why I was removing them. What else would hang around my neck the next day? Nothing? If so, why?

It was then that I experienced a rare creative thought....I'm not very creative. I could wear the Dog Tags around my neck permanently, wherever I go, whatever I do. A reminder: to me, possibly to others who I come in contact with.

It is now a fixture. The Geezer wears dog tags. Occasionally someone will notice them and comment. It sparks conversations, leaves a thought behind that might not have been there before. A reminder that we have what we have, we enjoy what we enjoy, because others have sacrificed to ensure that we can.

This week is Memorial Day week. Many of us connect that with our big auto race.  That it is. But it's also to remind us of our service men and women, past and present. The gift they give us. The one we often take for granted. Freedom.

This week I'm wearing my dog tags outside my shirt. Sparking more conversations, more thoughts that might not have been there before.

Thanks guys and gals for protecting what I have, what we all enjoy!

AUTHOR: Ken Verrett is the owner of Acorn Appraisal Associates, a 24 year old firm offering a wide range of quality appraisal services to the Financial and Business Communities in the greater Houston SMSA