As a budding features reporter, I have learned that the best journalists are those who can become "instant experts" on any given topic. In my job, I talk with a wide range of people, from those planning events to those holding fundraisers, from seriously ill children to Miss New York contestants. And in each story, I need to ask the questions and gather the information, write it in the simplest but most entertaining and intriguing way possible, and send it to print.

This past week, I had the opportunity to listen to the stories of four different accounts of people from World War II -- veterans and their families -- for a series of stories that appeared on the front page of today's paper.

One story was about two women who wanted to speak about their family member who died at Normandy in World War II. Another story was about how a woman from Warren met a man from Jamestown last month by realizing they had been at the same place at the same time -- she was at a concentration camp that he walked through.

My favorite article was about a man named Kenneth, an 84-year-old World War II veteran who had served in the Fifth Marine Division. For nearly two hours, I sat in his living room, petted his poodle, Duffy, and learned everything I could about his experience with the war.

I could have written a novel about his life, but I had to limit it to 45 inches.

He, like millions of other veterans, had a unique story to tell. Veterans can share stories about their buddies in the service, how they ended up there and what the war was like from their point of view. Millions and millions of soldiers were involved in America's wars, yet one story is completely different than another. It's so fascinating -- or maybe it's just the history minor in me.

There is one aspect to a veteran's stories that I find so fascinating: the desire to fight for the country. Today, we support our troops, there is no doubt about that. I have done a few stories about injured soldiers and how a community comes together when a tragic event like that takes place. But there is something about today's world and how we view the war that is so much different than the stories I heard from Kenneth and other veterans.

Kenneth's dad signed him up for the war. Another veteran I interviewed said "It was the thing to do." A relative of a veteran who was killed in the war mentioned that she doesn't believe her uncle would have been satisfied if he didn't do his part in the war. The courage these men showed is unmatched.

We hear cliche after cliche on Veteran's Day... without them we wouldn't have the freedom we have today... they sacrificed everything they had to make the United States a better place... we need to honor those men and women ... etc.

But they are all so true. Sometimes thoughts can get wrapped up in tradition. Sometimes we can celebrate Veteran's Day but forget why we are doing so. Sometimes those phrases get tossed around so many times that they lose meaning.

But people should take one or two they hear today to heart. Actually thank a veteran today, don't just say we should. From what I have learned this past week, it means so much to them to just hear a simple 'thank you.'

Take some time out and stop at a ceremony or pause at a cemetery and say a short prayer. Say a prayer for those who are currently serving as well, because it seems that - although we are still at war - the yellow ribbon magnets on the sides of cars are disappearing like our support.

If you get the opportunity, ask a veteran to share his or her story. Respect those who don't want to talk about war, but also listen to those who could talk for hours about their experience.

Kenneth told me all about his life, from the time his dad signed him up for the war to the time he almost got shot on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. He told me about his wife, whom he spoke about with great compassion, and seemed to get choked up when he showed me pictures of "his girl." He told me about his buddies in the service, about his training, and so much more.

Off the record, I asked him about more things: the current war, the attacks at Fort Hood and how things are different compared to when he was in the service. Off the record and off topic, he brought out his old report cards, his mother's high school diploma from 1918 and we browsed through an equipment manual for flour milling from the 1950s. It was such an entertaining time. Plus, alone and 84, he seemed like he wanted to share those stories with someone, whether or not they would be published on the front page of the newspaper the next day.

Can you imagine having the chance to talk with chat with someone who fought in the Civil War or the American Revolution? What kind of stories would they tell, and how much would we learn about things that have changed? Everyday, we are losing hundreds of stories about the war as veterans pass away. Now is the time to learn what we can from these men and women.

A few days ago, one of my dad's favorite artists said something my dad has been saying for years. The legendary country artist George Jones said that, although he believes Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift are talented musicians, they aren't country artists "because they're definitely not traditional country music."

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out Taylor Swift has a different twang than George Jones, Johnny Cash and other traditional country artists. However, it might take a country legend to be brave enough to say it.

At first, it might sound offensive, but I don't think he meant it that way at all. He just thinks they should be different categories for different kinds of country music. Like rock music, for example, has punk, metal, indie, classical, acoustic, and so on and so forth.

I don't know if we'll ever see the day that will happen, but I couldn't help but put together some categories of my own and fit today's country stars into it, because I can't help but agree with George.

Traditional Country

This is the category that George Jones would fit into, as well as the majority of older country legends like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. It had that old twang to it, and there are some artists today which, although the music sounds different, would still fit into this category. Reba McEntire's first album came out in the late-70s, and much of her music today still sounds like "traditional country." George Strait and Alan Jackson are both successful artists as well that represent an older generation. Alabama, Clint Black, John Michael Montgomery and Diamond Rio, fit into the "traditional country" category as well. A newer artist that I believe is continuing this tradition is Josh Turner, one of my personal favorites. Brooks and Dunn is a group that stretches it, but I would include them. Tim McGraw is another, but let's not forgot the song he did with Nelly.

Pop Country

This is an easy category to add today's artists to. Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood are sure-ins. Rascal Flatts, who I can still not understand why the group is played on country stations, same with Keith Urban. Others include Kelly Pickler, Kid Rock, Jewel, The Wreckers, Martina McBride, Shania Twain and Miley Cyrus. Sugarland is a stretch in this category, as many of their songs are more country than pop. Still, I think this is the best fit.

Country Rock

Jason Aldean is a sure in, as his music can sometimes practically just be considered 'rock.' Other artists are singers who might not be hardcore "rock" country artists but have music that is closer to rock than the tradition country song. These artists include Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Craig Morgan, Hank Williams, Jr., Jack Ingram, Big & Rich and Miranda Lambert. Garth Brooks is an artist that could fit into every category here, but I think his best bet is in the country rock category as well.

Modern Country

Much like today's rock is different than classic rock, modern country would be different than traditional country. I don't think you'll ever hear the genuine sounds of George Jones much like you won't ever hear a band like REO Speedwagon or Journey again. With that, artists like Darius Rucker, Trace Adkins, Blake Sheldon, Chris Young, Bucky Covington, Billy Currington, Darryl Worley, Jimmy Wayne, and Keith Anderson. To add a few females, I would have to say LeAnn Rimes and the Dixie Chicks, although they both border the pop country line.

I know this was more of a list than actual writing, but those are my thoughts. Personally, from that list, I would have to say I like the country rock genre the best, followed by modern rock, traditional country and then pop country.

It should be said as a quick endnote that although many fundamental country fans curse pop country, it's good for the country genre as a whole. Taylor Swift listeners lead to Tim McGraw listeners? Perhaps...

I'm too young to remember the amazing Washington Redskins team that went 14-2 and scored an average of over 30 points per game. I never saw Mark Rypien, Art Monk and others from that team play. I've never heard of the Redskins referred to as the "team to beat."

The Redskins I have come to know and love are the Redskins of the Dan Snyder era. He bought team when I was 10, and has owned it - or been destroying it - for as long as I can remember.

I do not have the privilege of suffering through four Super Bowl losses like Bills fans do, but I have watched 12 different quarterbacks earn the title of Redskins Starting Quarterback in the past 13 years.

I faintly remember Gus Frerotte, Jeff Hostetler and Trent Green. I do remember Brad Johnson -- his #14 jersey in my closet is proof. I also remember his botched snap in playoff game against Tampa Bay. Just like that, he was gone. Jeff George, Tony Banks, Shane Matthews, Patrick Ramsey, Danny Wuerffel, Tim Hasselback, Mark Brunell and Jason Campbell. All of them have had a chance to lead the Redskins, and they all have failed in one way or another. Out of that group, I would only say Brunell had any real success with the team.

And now here it is 2009. The Redskins are currently 2-5 after having a schedule so easy it should have came packaged and wrapped by the NFL. They played six teams in a row that hadn't won a game before meeting them. If you ask me, their 2-5 record makes the team sound better than they really are. They beat the Rams - arguably the worst team in the league - by two points but failed to score a touchdown.

After last night's performance on Monday Night Football against the Eagles, I would say the team can't get any lower than what they are right now. But then I took a look at their next five games: Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Philadelphia and New Orleans. Ouch.

These Redskins are the only Redskins I have known. Of course, they haven't always been this bad. They have made a couple playoff appearances in the last decade and produced some great Pro Bowlers. But those days seem so long ago.

These Redskins are close to 'put a bag over your head' bad. They are 'can't score more than 17 points a game' bad. They have lost to some of the worst teams in the NFL, and don't even come close to sticking with the mediocre and good teams.

Despite the paper bag metaphor, I'm not ashamed I'm a Redskins fan and I never will be. There are bright days ahead, I know there will be. Someday we will all look back on the 2009 season and laugh. I'm still going to watch the games or listen to them on the radio, cheer them on, and so on. They are still my team.

But changes need to be made. On paper, the Redskins seem like they would be a decent team. They have a decent defense who performed well last night. They have a decent set of wide receivers, although it looks like they may have lost Cooley for the year after last night. The offensive line needs work, but it's okay. Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts in the backfield are great.

The quarterback position needs to be replaced - and it probably will be - at the end of the season. Campbell was told at the beginning of the year it's 'do or die' time, and he's not getting the job done. Whether or not it's his fault he has already thrown more interceptions that all of last year, it falls back on him. Quarterbacks are leaders, and take the brunt of the blame. I'm sure he'll be a good quarterback somewhere else, just not here. He has the running back and the receivers to throw to. He's just never seems comfortable in the pocket and throws the ball away even with no pressure around him.

The coaching position needs to be replaced - and it probably will be - at the end of the season. Jim Zorn has been told he is coach until the end of the year, and with a tough schedule coming up he doesn't have a prayer. If they would have had the difficult part of the schedule first, he might have a chance. But face it -- he doesn't.

Also, Snyder needs to go and history proves it. Look at the past decade, which has become a joke in recent years. Who has come into Washington and left as a better person? Norv Turner can't say that. Neither can Steve Spurrier or Joe Gibbs. Mark Brunell can't. Clinton Portis probably misses Denver. Visit www.SellOurTeamDannyBoy.com for more information.

Snyder means well, he really does. It's like buying a Christmas present that the recipient doesn't like. Yes, you meant well. You probably put a lot of thought into and saved money. But that doesn't mean the person who opens it is going to like it. Same with the Redskins. Snyder's lack of how to run an organization is climaxing this season. However, he does have the second best franchise in the NFL in terms of net worth. Maybe that's what it's all about for him.

Look at me - seven weeks into the season and I'm counting them out. Can you blame me? If they are lucky they will beat Oakland later in the season, but that's the only win I can see them getting for the rest of the year. We'll throw one upset in there (not because it seems possible, but for good measure), and they finish 4-12.

But we'll hang in there. I am glad many fans are not attending games to hit Snyder where it counts -- in the wallet. They are still fans, but they are doing their part to help highlight the flaws in the team. But for now, I'm going to start counting down the days to the 2010 draft. Go Skins.

That feels a little better.