• Tagged art, forced perspective, Lego, military, military quotes, military transportation, quotes, tribute, US Military, veteran quotes, Veterans Day, WWII

How do you say thank you to a U.S. veteran? For starters, being thankful for our vets one day a year is not nearly enough. We wanted to honor veterans this Veterans Day with a Lego-like military tribute. It seemed to us that the creators and photographers of these tiny military masterpieces were showing their appreciation of our veterans through art. We mixed in some of the photographers’ description with some quotes to honor veterans, some words of wisdom from Combat for Dummies and some Murphy’s Laws of Combat. So if you are veteran, then kick back, relax and hopefully be entertained by this unique expression of our appreciation. If you know a vet who you’d like to thank, maybe share this with him or her? Happy Veterans Day! [52 Photos]

• Tagged holiday, How to Support Our Troops, military, people, Santa, support our troops, Thanksgiving, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy

Thanksgiving is a great time to list out the things for which we are grateful. One of the reasons the pilgrims came to America was to have freedom. As families gather together to give thanks on Thanksgiving or see each other on Christmas, some deployed soldiers are apart from their families to ensure our freedom and protect the security of America. Even if you never see the men and women in the military, they are heroes. It is hard to be away from loved ones and family over the holidays, so if you enjoy random acts of kindness, then wouldn’t it feel great to send a smile, a little bit of cheer over the holiday season? It is a perfect time to say thank you by letting soldiers and veterans know that we appreciate them. When it comes to giving, you may be surprised how often the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard help out Santa Claus. Here’s a list of ways you can help support our troops and a look back at how some of our service men and women celebrated the holiday season in years past. [40 Photos]

• Tagged animals, celebrate creative commons license, military, Norway, people, photographers, space, transportation, Wikimedia Commons Picture of the Year, World Photography Day

August 19, 2012, is World Photography Day. This is great opportunity to say thank you to photographers. Without photographers licensing their awesome captures as Creative Commons, we wouldn’t be able to share so many awesome works of art. Once upon a time there were not nearly so many quality images licensed under Creative Commons, but that continues to change. We wanted to celebrate World Photography Day by showcasing the Wikimedia Commons Pictures of the Year, decided at the last part of June 2012. There were all sorts of categories in this Sixth Annual Wikimedia Commons POTY Contest, so here are extremely varied subjects that were declared Picture of the Year winners. Congratulations! [31 Photos]

• Tagged celebration, fireworks, Fourth of July, Happy Birthday USA, holiday, Independence Day, July Fourth, military, people, transportation

Happy Birthday America! As you celebrate Independence Day, spare a thought for our troops and for their families. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

• Tagged holiday, memorial, Memorial Day, military, military families, Navy SEAL, people, seals, tribute, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy

In 1868, three years after the Civil War ended, it was decided to decorate the graves of those who died in the war. Although it wasn’t yet called Memorial Day, it did begin with the idea of remembering and honoring soldiers. Americans do still visit graves and attend Memorial Day services, but over the years Memorial Day has morphed into a three day weekend of barbecues, boating and the opening of city swimming pools. We wanted to show our appreciation of the people in the military who put their lives on the line for America. Like in hug a soldier, these photos certainly don’t include everyone, but we liked them. This tribute is our way of saying thank you to our troops for all that you do and thank you to military families for the sacrifice and separation you endure. We appreciate you and Happy Memorial Day! [43 Photos]

• Tagged military, military photographers, photographs, photography, pics, transporation

What did you do at work today? Although I wish I could have, I surely didn’t help “save the world.” What did you drive? I’m not sure about you, but I mostly drove a keyboard. Certainly nothing as exciting as these guys and gals did. Military photographers have captured some spectacular and very cool images to show a day in the life of our U.S. troops. These photos show some definite cool rides and slick tricks that show how the U.S. military goes to work and some of what they do. [40 Photos]

• Tagged America, celebration, fireworks, holiday, Independence Day, July Fourth, military, military photographers, people, photography, photos, pics, places, soldiers, transportation, troops, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy, USA

Happy Birthday America! We had hoped to show you something a little bit different than the same old firework display photos you see all over cyberspace. Military photographers have captured some very cool, unique, and patriotic shots of our troops and how they celebrate Independence Day. Most of their shots below are tagged with the military photographer’s description of the scene. From picnics to parties, Americans celebrate the nation’s birthday in many different ways. Are you small town or big city July 4th firework celebration type person? How do watch the firework displays? On your back on a blanket? Sitting in chairs or stadiums? Near a body of water, or are you the “official” lighter of family fireworks? However you celebrate America’s Independence and birthday, please spare a happy thought in support of our troops and their families. Have fun! Enjoy the fireworks! This our little patriotic tribute. We love the USA and we love these pics! [46 Fantastic Photos]

• Tagged DoD, Memorial Day, military, people, soldiers, transportation, USA

Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday celebrated on the last Monday in May, originally meant to honor soldiers. Americans often visit cemeteries and memorials on that day, while others remember U.S. soliders who fought and died in wars throughout our history. After perusing through some of the Department of Defense pictures, we wanted to remember the soldiers of all military branches who are living and who are putting their lives on the line by serving our country. Thank you! These photos certainly don’t include everyone, but we liked them. They made us proud of our soldiers and of the USA. We love our soldiers and their dedication as well as appreciating the time they are away from their family and loved ones. We want to suggest you should hug a soldier for they are why we are free, America. [26 Photos]