Veterans Day

[Mike Griffin]

I come from a long line of military men on both my fathers and mothers side.  My dad was a radar operator on a US Navy LST during WW2.  I had uncles and aunts who served during the Second World War.  I had an aunt who was a captain in the Navy during that war and that was rare in those days.

I served during Vietnam in the Air Force and to this day am extremely proud of my service even though we were spit on walking down the streets in San Francisco during our discharge process.

It was my pleasure to serve this country and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat if I could or was called on to do so.

We take one day out of the year to recognize our vets so make the most of it if you can and shake the hands of as many young men and women who wear the uniform and say thank you if you get the chance.

God bless America and God bless the men and women who protect it.  I feel honored to have been one of them.

[Larry Fernandez]

A heart felt thank you to all veterans past and present.
God bless you all and god bless America.

Larry Fernandez USN 1976-1980, USS Sperry AS-12

[RC Storick]

Thank you to all veterans past and present.

USN AMS VF211 73-77

[peabody]

The AMA sent a nice "Thanks for Your Service".

[pat king]

I also come from a family with a long military background, Revolutionary War to Vietnam. I want to THANK all veterans and all who serve now. If you appreciate your freedom thank a veteran.

Pat

[Bootlegger]

Can't thank these, and you fellows enough, I served in the 8th Air Force, Strategic Air Command, 4128 Heavy Bomb Wing, Amarillo A F B Texas...
 
 I too am proud to have served...

[Randy Ryan]

I come from a long line of military men on both my fathers and mothers side.  My dad was a radar operator on a US Navy LST during WW2.  I had uncles and aunts who served during the Second World War.  I had an aunt who was a captain in the Navy during that war and that was rare in those days.

I served during Vietnam in the Air Force and to this day am extremely proud of my service even though we were spit on walking down the streets in San Francisco during our discharge process.

It was my pleasure to serve this country and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat if I could or was called on to do so.

We take one day out of the year to recognize our vets so make the most of it if you can and shake the hands of as many young men and women who wear the uniform and say thank you if you get the chance.

God bless America and God bless the men and women who protect it.  I feel honored to have been one of them.

Thank you Mike, I have a similar background and share your sentiments.

[Mark Scarborough]

I to salute all veterans, war time and otherwise,

363 AGS Shaw AFB

[bob whitney]

  i also spent 4 years in the USAF during the Vietnam period. i spent 3 years at Hickam AFB in Hawaii.
 it was hard to decide what to do on the weekends ,go Surfing ,motorcycle trail riding or U/C flying down next to Waikiki.  

Seriously we were proud to support the troupes coming and going to Nam
 

[john e. holliday]

To all those who served you have all my respect! To the others........
USS Manatee AO-58 Vietnam 1972-1973

Don't know what you mean.  I'm one of those that spent two days of my life trying to enlist in the Army.  Passed all the tests with ease.  But when I was called into the recruiters office I was told I was classified 4-F.  I asked why and was told I had a perforated ear and to go back to the farm.  Also told to not even think of the other branches.   This was at the main building in KCMo.  I have a lot of respect for those that did and have served in the military.   I salute you all.

[Don Chandler]

Just came home from Denny's where we received a free veterans day breakfast-nice gesture. My dad and uncle were also Army signal corps.

Thanks to all

Don Chandler US Army 1965-1968 592nd Signal Company, Berlin Brigade.

[Fredvon4]

I generally make a point of never posting to a forum some negative remark about another post...

BUT Bill Morell, sir, suggesting you have little or no respect for people who did not serve is a bit much for me.

I was drafted early 1973 and decided to enlist for 4 years to get better school and MOS choices. I know too many who would have served on purpose, when it was not a popular decision, and they were turned away for any number of reasons.

Retired Army First Sergeant Frederick C von Gortler IV
Retired Command Sergeants Major Rowena K von Gortler

And to all who have sent thanks to us veterans and current military, a humble Thank You, and you are welcome back from me and my wife!

[Carl Cisneros]

I came from a family entirely made up of Marines.
I was the odd one out and went Air Force.

Thanks to everyone that served in our armed forces.

Carl Cisneros Ret. USAF CMSgt Jan 1973- May 1995

[Randy Cuberly]

A resounding Thank You to all who are currently serving and those who have served in the past.

May God and our military forces continue to protect The United States of America!

Randall Cuberly
Major US Army Special Forces
1960-1970
1st SOG Vietnam 1968-69

[Will Hinton]

I echo the thanks to all who served.
Will Hinton USN 1958 - 1962 AT2
VS39 Quonset Point, RI
USS Essex

[Bill Morell]

Don't know what you mean.  I'm one of those that spent two days of my life trying to enlist in the Army.  Passed all the tests with ease.  But when I was called into the recruiters office I was told I was classified 4-F.  I asked why and was told I had a perforated ear and to go back to the farm.  Also told to not even think of the other branches.   This was at the main building in KCMo.  I have a lot of respect for those that did and have served in the military.   I salute you all.

Shouldn't be hard to understand at all but I'll try to put it in simple terms. To all those who ran off to another country, burned their draft cards, spit on us, smeared dog @#$% on my parents front door or otherwise disrespected our country I salute you still with my middle finger! Got it now?

[Mike Keville]

Salutes to all who served!

"VSC-Guy"
1st Cav Div, 'Nam
'65-'66

[Larry Borden]

Kudos to all that served.
USAF 69 - 73

[Dennis Leonhardi]

Shouldn't be hard to understand at all but I'll try to put it in simple terms. To all those who ran off to another country, burned their draft cards, spit on us, smeared dog @#$% on my parents front door or otherwise disrespected our country I salute you still with my middle finger! Got it now?

LOL  I hear you loud and clear, Bill !

But - as I believe Fred asked - please don't lump all who didn't serve together in one pot.

My grandfathers served in the Spanish-American War, the Mexican conflict (Pancho Villa), and WWI.  My father and a bunch of uncles (Dad was 1 of 11 kids) served or enlisted during WWII.  One of my adult sons served in the Air Force.

I enlisted in Air Force ROTC during my college years, hoping to make a career of it.  Despite (1) a congenital heart defect, and (2) being blind as a bat without glasses.  I was light years ahead of anyone else in my group academically, but didn't much buy into all the spit and polish during the first year.  The second year I committed fully; joined the Pershing Rifles Military Fraternity, took leadership roles in several areas, and was approved for promotion to a rank almost unheard of for second year students.  Then I (of course) failed the physical for Advanced ROTC.

Yes, I should have known - but is it wrong to hope against all odds?  I was absolutely devastated and dropped out of school, never again to be so incredibly motivated to pursue a specific career goal.

So, to all who served in any capacity, at any time: THANKS!  To those who ran ... well, I surely hope you didn't return.  And, to anyone who thinks those of us who didn't serve just didn't want to: please re-read the above until it sinks in.

I would like to add a comment regarding the greatest generation: We often see the ticker-tape parades, the celebrations following VE and VJ Days.  I have an uncle - 91 now - who served as a SeaBee during the ugliest of the Pacific conflicts.  He watched a carrier - with a good friend and I believe a classmate aboard - get hit by a kamikaze, and of course spent many hours under attack, wondering if the ship he was aboard would meet the same fate.

He doesn't talk about it much, and for the most part doesn't want to.  But his oldest daughter -who very recently retired from a career as an army officer herself - related that he told her those servicemen and women who didn't live in the big cities for the most part just quietly came home and went back to work.  No parade, no celebration, no welcome home ...

I can understand that the nation was weary of war, but I especially like to express my appreciation to that group while we still have some of them.


Dennis

[Bill Morell]

LOL  I hear you loud and clear, Bill !

But - as I believe Fred asked - please don't lump all who didn't serve together in one pot.

My grandfathers served in the Spanish-American War, the Mexican conflict (Pancho Villa), and WWI.  My father and a bunch of uncles (Dad was 1 of 11 kids) served or enlisted during WWII.  One of my adult sons served in the Air Force.

I enlisted in Air Force ROTC during my college years, hoping to make a career of it.  Despite (1) a congenital heart defect, and (2) being blind as a bat without glasses.  I was light years ahead of anyone else in my group academically, but didn't much buy into all the spit and polish during the first year.  The second year I committed fully; joined the Pershing Rifles Military Fraternity, took leadership roles in several areas, and was approved for promotion to a rank almost unheard of for second year students.  Then I (of course) failed the physical for Advanced ROTC.

Yes, I should have known - but is it wrong to hope against all odds?  I was absolutely devastated and dropped out of school, never again to be so incredibly motivated to pursue a specific career goal.

So, to all who served in any capacity, at any time: THANKS!  To those who ran ... well, I surely hope you didn't return.  And, to anyone who thinks those of us who didn't serve just didn't want to: please re-read the above until it sinks in.

I would like to add a comment regarding the greatest generation: We often see the ticker-tape parades, the celebrations following VE and VJ Days.  I have an uncle - 91 now - who served as a SeaBee during the ugliest of the Pacific conflicts.  He watched a carrier - with a good friend and I believe a classmate aboard - get hit by a kamikaze, and of course spent many hours under attack, wondering if the ship he was aboard would meet the same fate.

He doesn't talk about it much, and for the most part doesn't want to.  But his oldest daughter -who very recently retired from a career as an army officer herself - related that he told her those servicemen and women who didn't live in the big cities for the most part just quietly came home and went back to work.  No parade, no celebration, no welcome home ...

I can understand that the nation was weary of war, but I especially like to express my appreciation to that group while we still have some of them.


Dennis

Thank you. The funny thing about what I said was that I didn't mean "all" who hadn't served. As usual if you don't write it just exactly right some people get their panties in a wad and jump to new levels of absurd conclusions.

[Fredvon4]

Bill, the reason I prefaced my comment was just for this type exchange---- it usually turns out that I am wrong and then somehow it turns out I get busted for having my panties in WAD or jumping to absurd conclusions

Peace brother, thank you for your service...My father did two tours in the Nam and returned to Oakland California via SF international airport; also to be greeted by the numskulls being hateful. Then assigned right there at Presideo of San Francisco. He very frequently went to work through crowds of the protesters to get on base.

WWII and greatest generation

Sad but inevitable fact:
World War II vets are dying at a rate of approximately 492 a day. This means there are approximately only 855,070 veterans remaining of the 16 million who served our nation in World War II. (late 2014 statistic)

 
As the Chaplin of VFW Post 8539 in a small town rural county I attend a lot of funerals. We are near Fort Hood one of the largest Army installations in the USA.

Historically my county, Lampasas, sent a lot of men to WWII. Predominantly Navy

Very sorry to have hijacked the thread with my comment on Bill"s posting

[Gene O'Keefe]

I salute all who have ever served. I enlisted with my best friend growing up from age 10 to when we enlisted at age 18 in the Marine Corps to go to Nam. Very sad for me, I made it back alive, he didn't.  Still miss him. An old saying that would hold true for some of the younger folks that have no clue: for those who fought for it, FREEDOM
has a flavor the protected will never know.  Semper Fi   .... Once a Marine......Always a Marine

[Dennis Leonhardi]

Thank you. The funny thing about what I said was that I didn't mean "all" who hadn't served. As usual if you don't write it just exactly right some people get their panties in a wad and jump to new levels of absurd conclusions.

Bill, I hope you're not referring to me - I knew exactly what you meant, and couldn't agree more.  No wads here!

But I did feel a need to point out that many of us would have willingly served and just didn't get the chance.

I was 5 years old when WWII ended in 1945, and very proud of all the men in my family who stepped up when needed.  And I was very close to my grandfather, who saw service in Europe in WWI.

I personally believe one of the greatest things a person can do is to serve their country in it's military, whatever the role might be.

Again - Thanks!


Dennis

[Bill Morell]

Bill, I hope you're not referring to me - I knew exactly what you meant, and couldn't agree more.  No wads here!

But I did feel a need to point out that many of us would have willingly served and just didn't get the chance.

I was 5 years old when WWII ended in 1945, and very proud of all the men in my family who stepped up when needed.  And I was very close to my grandfather, who saw service in Europe in WWI.

I personally believe one of the greatest things a person can do is to serve their country in it's military, whatever the role might be.



Dennis

Was not referring to you at  all. If I had  to do this over I wouldn't post anything at all. Just  another day that ends in Y.

[john e. holliday]

Bill I got your PM and I too had a big dislike for those who jumped across the border instead of serving.   Had one person that said some thing one of my friends when he came home from Nam and I made sure they didn't say another word.  I still think they could have found a spot for me.  Any way are forgiven by the old DOC Holliday.

[Sean McEntee]

 

[RC Storick]

I just got off the phone with Don Shipley http://videos.extremesealexperience.com/channel_Phony-Navy-Seal-Of-The-Week

Who is a retired Senior Chief and a real US Navy SEAL

If you want a hoot and see him in action you can visit him there or on your tube channel buds131
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUxuYuqe-XBFonUGFLETfnA