Thank you to our Veterans

[Erik Rutins]

Re-posting this one for 2016 as I think it is a good one and I know we have a lot of folks in our community who were in the armed forces. Thank you to all our veterans and those in active service today, both here and in freedom-loving countries around the world. As a first generation American whose family were displaced persons in the US zone after WW2, I can say that my family would not even be here in the USA without you. We remember that and cherish the liberty that America and her allies have defended for so many years and the sacrifices made to preserve freedom around the world.

https://youtu.be/bMIXVCJlYzA

Regards,

- Erik

[warspite1]

Thank-you

[Rebel Yell]

To my father, who fought in Korea, and every other veteran, still with us or not, I thank the Lord for your courage to put your life on the line for others.

[Jim D Burns]

I've always felt a little sheepish around veterans day due to the quiet period I served in the early 80's. I spent most of my time chasing girls and standing guard posts as an MP. My Grandfather however had one hell of a storied career in the military.

He did a 4 year stint in the Army in WWI, then transferred to the Marines and served in all the banana wars after WWI and then served in WWII (wounded at Pearl and again later at Bougainville) and Korea. I think he had a total of 7 purple hearts, a silver star and countless other medals and ribbons, quite the Marine my old grandad. He's buried at Arlington cemetery.




I was the first family member to join the Marines after him, but sadly he died 3 days before I graduated Infantry School so he never got to see me in uniform. My brother followed me into the Marines and his son followed him. All these years later and my brother is still a hard charging marine, this is the back of his truck, always good for a laugh.



My brother had a pretty active career, his Force Recon team went in and did a night assault on some of the military com centers in Grenada, he did a tour in Beirut after the barracks bombing. He also served with the Army and was in the first gulf war and Bosnia. He also spent time as a Peace Keeper with some UN units in Montenegro.

Jim

[Zap]

A citizen(I did not do military service), of the these United States thanking all service veterans for your sacrifices to protect me and all of us. I'm proud and grateful to share this country with so many great men and women in Military service

[wings7]

Yes indeed! Thank you! (from a Vietnam US vet) [:)]

[Qwixt]

Yes, thank you. I don't even consider myself a vet having served in the army from 82-86, and spending half that time as a speed bump for the russians while in germany.

[wodin]

I've read so many WW1 memoirs now I feel I've got to know in some way a fair few men that fought in that War..I think that reading a memoir is in away keeping them alive..especially emotive if the person writing the memoir \diary dies in the War. It's the conflict for me that I feel really connected to for some reason. So to all those lost in the countryside in France and Belgium, I remember you, and I hope you have friends around you or close by:) One of those is my Great Great Uncle Dominic Costa MM 1/7th Kings Liverpool Regiment, died 14.11.18. (landed in France with the 1/7th in '15..just couldn't hold onto some luck to reach the end of the War..left a widow and two children age27. His brother my Great Granddad John Costa fought alongside him with my other Great Granddad John Rimmer

[MrsWargamer]

I will mention an experience from 2 years back.

I'm ex military myself. I made the error of downplaying my time in uniform while talking with an aged veteran. He promptly jumped all over me and scolded me for my comment. "You didn't see the horrors but when you signed on the dotted line you made the same choice as any vet and you put your life on the line like any vet". I almost started crying.

Remember guys, if you signed on the dotted line, you didn't know where it would end. And if you came out of the military whole and in one piece and with no nightmares, you were simply fortunate. But your service was worth no less.

And that is the opinion of an aged old man who was a veteran whom we honour.

[ess1]

Thanks to all.

ex W.O. 1950-1974

Rest well, behave yourselves as I will bl**** 'ave you[;)]

[charlie0311]

del

[Greybriar]

Happy Veterans Day everyone!

[warspite1]

.

[charlie0311]

del

[elmo3]

Thank you to all the vets out there.

[wings7]

ORIGINAL: charlie0311

My dearest Warspite, so much fun.

For all your mighty brain you could not know the reaction that I want.

Yes, many have died, they were forced to do so, it's a die right now and only maybe later kind of thing.

Never said "I alone" know the truth.

Never made any claims about intellectual capacity, I think I'm a big dope.

That stuff of yours about appreciation/empathy is pretty beyond me. How could you know who and what I respect? No disrespect has been shown by me to the poor suckers who get killed and maimed, then get "lip service". Insult to injury IMHO.

You guys, with your feel so good group grope, you're the guys who need the hose down.

I'll take it down tomorrow, maybe.

Ok, not "poor suckers" how about "valiant hero" feel better now?

We are honoring those that died, no other explanation is needed...

[warspite1]

.

[charlie0311]

del

[MrsWargamer]

"You guys, with your feel so good group grope, you're the guys who need the hose down."

The internet sure is a wonderful way to meet people you would likely never really want to meet.

[Zap]

Mine is not a mechanical or robot like gratitude but a real sense of what this day means to me. I was not selected in the draft during the Vietnam War. At that point in time the drafting process had changed to include certain numbers. My number was not called. I knew the danger going to Vietnam I would have been a grunt. To insinuate that the officers leading me into battle were cold hearted and did not care! Or they had no battle experience is preposterous. Leaders are needed to lead direct(its the nature of life) where did you miss that fact in all your spewing?