Chucky wants to give the members of the U.S. Armed Forces a great big group hug.

Chucky’s feeling all patriotic these days.

First, he recently spouted off about foreign affairs but likely didn’t — and doesn’t — have a clue who Paul Wolfowitz is much less Leon Panetta.

Now, Chucky’s waving the red, white and blue, so writes eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune, since returning from visiting troops overseas who are protecting us from those animals who fly planes into skyscrapers and behead people.

“I was absolutely humbled in their presence,” Gruden said, six months after his dismissal as head coach of the Buccaneers. “I took my Super Bowl ring over there and I let every person I met put that ring on their finger. After all, they’re the real world champions.

“They’re the ones that allow us to have freedom of press and speech. Even though my play-calling was lousy, I was allowed to call any play I wanted to call. Thank God for these people. They don’t make a lot of money – they’re doing it for their country.”

Nothing like flashing the bling, huh Chucky?

In all seriousness, Joe applauds Chucky for doing a great service by visiting the troops. Later in the article, Chucky suggests all of us should give up an open seat in a restaurant or give up our space in line at an airport for a service man or woman. Just a little token to show our appreciation.

Good idea, Chucky. Joe couldn’t have said it better himself.