Veterans Day

[KLHJ2]

To my fellow comrades who served and to those who still serve. Have a good day. In light of recent events I know that it is hard to say "Happy Veterans Day".

I would like to take the time to show my appreciation for those who not only have made the ultimate sacrifices for this country, but for those who have chosen to serve day in and day out. Those who have woken up at 0500 to take a damn PT test, those who have had to sit through boards just to prove that they are competent enough to lead knuckleheads, those who have spent weeks on the firing ranges because that idiot couldn't shoot, those who have had to attend a mandatory fun day, those who have had to work a detail on a holiday, those who have to pull 24 hour duty, those who have gone to the field for weeks on end, those who have been deployed during the holidays, those who have taken a shit bare assed in the middle of a sand storm (no porta john), those who have seen the horors of war, and to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

I do not miss all the things that you guys do and put up with (I know that I haven't listed them all), and it makes my appreciation that much greater. Thank you for putting up with all of that shit guys!

Have a good Veterans Day!

[CRedskinsRule]

Agreed!

Thanks to every veteran out there.

[dmek25]

for what these guys do, every day should be Veterans day, stay safe, and may god bless. those not home, come back safely

[CRedskinsRule]

There are several sobering statistics in this Yahoo article.
Military sees increase in wounded in Afghanistan - Yahoo! News

I served 5 years, in what would be "fortunate timing", from 91 to 96. I enlisted 2 weeks after the air war in Iraq began, and by the time I went in for Basic, the war was all but over. Then I served in Germany during the drawdown years. I never saw live action, although my unit was set to deploy to Bosnia.

I credit the men, women who serve in the front lines today. The challenges, the daily pain and suffering that they see is a grueling task and they do it, day in, day out. They do not serve because they were conscripted by a government law, nor because they were forced into service at gunpoint. Each individual, whatever his/her own motivation, whether they saw it as an opportunity to get ahead and pay for college, or as an obligation to this country they grew up in, each individual made a choice to go into the recruiting station and sign up for this country's defense. Words can't do justice for their courage.

And for the veterans of wars long past, who maybe didn't have a choice, but did go in through a draft, or through some mandatory service. Still they served, and acted as a symbol to the world that this country is not to be tread upon, that if you threaten our liberties, our citizens will not allow that to occur.

I applaud each who has served, I hope our country's leaders from all sides understand that the military is not here to protect any one person, to advance any one agenda, but it is in fact here to protect the Constitution, and the citizens of these United States.

[budw38]

Great thread and posts Angry, Dmek and Credskins , I cannot put my thoughts into any better words . I found a link to get support for a bill the thank Merchant Mariners of WW2 ... Belated Thank You to WW2 Mariners. Have a great and safe day , every day to all who have and are serving !

[12thMan]

Thanks to all the proud men and women in uniform who serve this great country and put their lives on the line everyday to protect us and our freedoms.

[Trample the Elderly]

I was never in combat so I don't consider myself a veteran. Hopefully the politicians will do the right thing for those that are serving. Win the war and come home. I don't care for fancy talk and tears.

[DBUCHANON101]

Thank a VET today, dont rest until you do.
Semper Fi

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by Trample the Elderly

I was never in combat so I don't consider myself a veteran. Hopefully the politicians will do the right thing for those that are serving. Win the war and come home. I don't care for fancy talk and tears.

I've always felt pretty much the same. People who know I served will thank me but I feel like my contribution casts a pale shadow next to those that actually fought.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by Trample The Elderly

I was never in combat so I don't consider myself a veteran. Hopefully the politicians will do the right thing for those that are serving. Win the war and come home. I don't care for fancy talk and tears.

Originally Posted by 724Skinsfan

I've always felt pretty much the same. People who know I served will thank me but I feel like my contribution casts a pale shadow next to those that actually fought.

I respect that thought, and have felt that way myself, however, every military person who has put on the uniform, has accepted the risks and obligations of defending our country and is deserving of respect and thanks. My guess is, that had your unit been called into a warzone, or more particularly, had it been put in harms way to stop a force that was invading USA soil, you would have gone and fought to the last of your ability to protect this country. That's what people are thanking you, and every veteran, this day. Further, as you Trample have pointed out, when you wore the uniform and were stationed overseas, you represented the US in whatever country you were stationed. Your presence in Japan, or mine during the drawdown in Europe, showed what our country strives to believe in, peace through strength, respect of countries laws and boundaries. We showed that a military does not have to invade and occupy as German or Soviet troops have done, and those wearing the uniform represent the ideal of civilian control over a massive defense structure to governments and populations throughout the world.

As you can tell, I don't any longer agree that only those who served in wars should be honored for their service. To everyone who has worn the uniform, represented our country's finest ideals, protected our borders by their simple presence as a deterrent. Again I say thanks.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

I respect that thought, and have felt that way myself, however, every military person who has put on the uniform, has accepted the risks and obligations of defending our country and is deserving of respect and thanks. My guess is, that had your unit been called into a warzone, or more particularly, had it been put in harms way to stop a force that was invading USA soil, you would have gone and fought to the last of your ability to protect this country. That's what people are thanking you, and every veteran, this day. Further, as you Trample have pointed out, when you wore the uniform and were stationed overseas, you represented the US in whatever country you were stationed. Your presence in Japan, or mine during the drawdown in Europe, showed what our country strives to believe in, peace through strength, respect of countries laws and boundaries. We showed that a military does not have to invade and occupy as German or Soviet troops have done, and those wearing the uniform represent the ideal of civilian control over a massive defense structure to governments and populations throughout the world.

As you can tell, I don't any longer agree that only those who served in wars should be honored for their service. To everyone who has worn the uniform, represented our country's finest ideals, protected our borders by their simple presence as a deterrent. Again I say thanks.

Very good perspective. And I think those of us who have worn the uniform, but didn't engage in warfare or combat tend to compare ourselves to and elevate those who did. Whether intentional or not, right or wrong, I think that's the case.

I enlisted in the Navy from 1990-1995 and was stationed on the USS Tripoli during the Gulf War. During my stint, we deployed several times to the Gulf region.

About a month before I was scheduled to join the ship, she was struck by a mine explosion. Totally blew a 16 x 20 ft hole in the hull of the ship. Fortunately no lives were lost, just a few scrapes and bruises. I think one guy tried to get a Purple Heart out of it, but was denied. He sort of became a laughing stock later on. The funny thing was because I had orders in hand when she got hit, even though I wasn't onboard at the time, I later received a few medals and ribbons awarded to the ship. I felt it was unfair for me to receive anything seeing that I was in a barracks in back woods Mississippi training. After they repaired her, I later joined the ship, and she went back out to continue mine sweeping ops.

Something about being in harms way made me sort of appreciate what the crew went through prior to me joining.

[GMScud]

A huge and heartfelt thank you to all our men and women in uniform, past and present. I can't even put into words how much your service means to me. I am honored, privileged, and humbled to live in such a great country. I try not take our soldiers and our freedom for granted, but it's easy to forget sometimes through the daily grind of life. Veteran's Day is a unique opportunity to show gratitude.

I said some prayers this morning, and said some words to my grandfather. He passed away in 2000. Man do I miss him. He was in the 10th Mountain Division, soldier on skis (snow commando literally) in WWII. I still have his army-issued compass from the war. I am proud of him.

God Bless the USA, it's citizens, and all those brave enough to serve.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Very good perspective. And I think those of us who have worn the uniform, but didn't engage in warfare or combat tend to compare ourselves to and elevate those who did. Whether intentional or not, right or wrong, I think that's the case.

I enlisted in the Navy from 1990-1995 and was stationed on the USS Tripoli during the Gulf War. During my stint, we deployed several times to the Gulf region.

About a month before I was scheduled to join the ship, she was struck by a mine explosion. Totally blew a 16 x 20 ft hole in the hull of the ship. Fortunately no lives were lost, just a few scrapes and bruises. I think one guy tried to get a Purple Heart out of it, but was denied. He sort of became a laughing stock later on. The funny thing was because I had orders in hand when she got hit, even though I wasn't onboard at the time, I later received a few medals and ribbons awarded to the ship. I felt it was unfair for me to receive anything seeing that I was in a barracks in back woods Mississippi training. After they repaired her, I later joined the ship, and she went back out to continue mine sweeping ops.

Something about being in harms way made me sort of appreciate what the crew went through prior to me joining.

I agree and really do respect that. A portion of my unit in Germany was deployed to Somali, but not my Company. I understand the difference. But just like in your story, its often times, especially in modern war, a matter of chance or happenstance that one's unit was not in harms way, and this day is a chance for all United States citizens to come together and acknowledge all who have served their country, by choice or obligation, in an honorable manner.

[mlmdub130]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Very good perspective. And I think those of us who have worn the uniform, but didn't engage in warfare or combat tend to compare ourselves to and elevate those who did. Whether intentional or not, right or wrong, I think that's the case.

I enlisted in the Navy from 1990-1995 and was stationed on the USS Tripoli during the Gulf War. During my stint, we deployed several times to the Gulf region.

About a month before I was scheduled to join the ship, she was struck by a mine explosion. Totally blew a 16 x 20 ft hole in the hull of the ship. Fortunately no lives were lost, just a few scrapes and bruises. I think one guy tried to get a Purple Heart out of it, but was denied. He sort of became a laughing stock later on. The funny thing was because I had orders in hand when she got hit, even though I wasn't onboard at the time, I later received a few medals and ribbons awarded to the ship. I felt it was unfair for me to receive anything seeing that I was in a barracks in back woods Mississippi training. After they repaired her, I later joined the ship, and she went back out to continue mine sweeping ops.

Something about being in harms way made me sort of appreciate what the crew went through prior to me joining.

i'm gonna guess an officer, all the officers in my unit tried the same thing, except they tried for bronze stars after sitting in air conditioned tents for 11 months, fortunatly the were all denied as well

hopfully all those still serving will have great day, and the troops wounded at fort hood will have a speedy recovery

[GMScud]

Just watched the SportsCenter segment with Parcells, Bob Knight, and Mike Krzyzewski all live together. Very impressive. All West Point men.