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.
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.
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
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.
Dennis