VETERANS DAY

[Lukenskywalker]

God Bless all of our Veterans, both living and deceased...I just got back from driving 3 guys from my local American Legion and D.A.V posts to three different Veterans Day events.

 

They are getting smaller and more feeble as the years progress, It is sometimes difficult to get them out of the car,,,but they insist on going to every event.

 

On this day, their eyes shine with pride and a new energy overtakes them for a few short hours at these ceremonies honoring 'Those who Served.'

 

When I am driving them back home, I see a peaceful look in their eyes, now grown a bit misty after they were so rightfully honored.

It is a privilege and an honor to be with these men, two WWII guys and a Korean War Vet.

 

My personal heroes.

[Beck]

Nice... thanks for sharing.

[Huh?]

Right on! That is a great story.

 

I shook the hand of a warrior today. I have no idea who he was, I was in the local candy store....I mean gunshop, buying some 5.56 for the AR-15 and cleaning spray...BreakFree.

 

He had on a jacket with all sorts of LAPD, LA SWAT emblems and combat gear, kneepads, Danner Kinetic tactical boots...that specops beard and shaggy hair and if it were not for the tricked out 1911 on a low tactical leg holster I would have thought weekend warrior playing soldier games at the range, a day early. The other thing was his hands.......not a spot of soft skin anywhere....rough as sandpaper and man did he have a tan. Face too....leather...burned brown. Y'know.......he would not have told me what his deal was anyway but I am guessing he is recently back from somewhere hot and dry. Maybe a security gig. He was too shaggy to be regular. I just thanked him for his service and got my ammo to go play soldier at the range on Sunday. Well, specialist........sniper.

 

But you could tell he is a dangerous mofo!

 

Damn it is good to know there are guys out there doing this {censored}. I just hope they never get put into a position of being forced to turn against their own people. Orders are orders. Martial law, weapons retrieval programs...separating the armed civilian from his hardware........ it could happen you know.

 

Good on yer for helping out the old geezers. I have a great deal of respect for the warriors of WW2. Brutal war. Korea sucked pretty hard core as well..'Nam....that just some bull{censored}!

 

It is fitting we honor them. Feels good and is good.

 

And they who for their country die shall fill an honoured grave, for glory lights the soldiers tomb, and beauty weeps the brave. ~ Joseph Drake

[nice keetee]

 

God Bless all of our Veterans, both living and deceased...I just got back from driving 3 guys from my local American Legion and D.A.V posts to three different Veterans Day events. They are getting smaller and more feeble as the years progress, It is sometimes difficult to get them out of the car,,,but they insist on going to every event. On this day, their eyes shine with pride and a new energy overtakes them for a few short hours at these ceremonies honoring 'Those who Served.' When I am driving them back home, I see a peaceful look in their eyes, now grown a bit misty after they were so rightfully honored. It is a privilege and an honor to be with these men, two WWII guys and a Korean War Vet. My personal heroes.

 

 

You did well for those that did well.

[Anderton]

If only we could get our politicians to treat veterans with the same respect and appreciation as the people in this thread.

[John Bartus]

 

If only we could get our politicians to treat veterans with the same respect and appreciation as the people in this thread.

 

 

THIS.

[Ernest Buckley]

Amen Brother Luke.

 

My dad, Vietnam Veteran... two purple hearts... you`ll never hear him talk about the war or his medals. He keeps them in a box in his dresser.

 

These men, including my dad are heroes. Humble men who served and continue to do so. God Bless Them All.

 

Amen.

[blue2blue]

We really need to take care of our veterans when they return from war or simply return to the civilian sector from any service. We often ask the most extraordinary sacrifices of our soldiers and their families and yet the way we have often treated those veterans in the past has often lapsed into the disgraceful. Maybe we've started turning a corner on that -- but there's clearly a long way to go.

[Anderton]

But to get back to the original intention of the thread...the WWII vets are indeed thinning in numbers, and I'm glad there are people like Lukenskywalker who recognize their contributions. I have noticed that like Ernest says, a lot of times vets don't really open up about their experiences, it's something they did and will always be a part of who they are. I do really like that people are now getting into the habit of saying "Thanks for your service" when they encounter soldiers and vets

[Lukenskywalker]

But to get back to the original intention of the thread...the WWII vets are indeed thinning in numbers, and I'm glad there are people like Lukenskywalker who recognize their contributions. I have noticed that like Ernest says, a lot of times vets don't really open up about their experiences, it's something they did and will always be a part of who they are. I do really like that people are now getting into the habit of saying "Thanks for your service" when they encounter soldiers and vets

 

'Bravo Zulu' Craig... My three elderly Amigos from American Legion Post 417 and I thank you...I'm sure Ernest is reading your post and feeling likewise.

[UstadKhanAli]

If only we could get our politicians to treat veterans with the same respect and appreciation as the people in this thread.

 

 

I often start this thread each year, but this year, I went where there were no computers. I did, however, thank a couple of veterans (besides the ones that I know) in person. And to all you other veterans that I didn't thank in person...thank you so much. Maximum respect.

[Anderton]

People should never confuse the policies that sent people someplace with the people who were sent. I look forward to the day when the dictionary definition for "veteran" starts with "1. Arch and obs."

[Goobers]

 

If only we could get our politicians to treat veterans with the same respect and appreciation as the people in this thread.

 

 

I've honestly never seen a politician be anything other than respectful and appreciative. Clueless? Sure. Expedient? Maybe. Are you thinking of anything specific, or just waxing poetic?

[Lukenskywalker]

People should never confuse the policies that sent people someplace with the people who were sent.

 

Amen Craig... a quote I remember regarding this tenet reads something like this;

 

 

'Old men start wars, young men must fight them.'

 

My personal philosophy as a Veteran, and one who is a 'brother in arms' of the three old warriors I happily and respectfully drove around on Friday, Incorporates that quote with this one,

 

'I think there is one higher office than president and I would call that patriot'.

 

I can only hope that 20 years from now, some Veteran of Iraq or Afghanistan will be driving me in my dotage, to some Vet/Memorial Day gig to pay my respects to other Vets.

[Tomm Williams]

Right on! That is a great story. I shook the hand of a warrior today. I have no idea who he was, I was in the local candy store....I mean gunshop, buying some 5.56 for the AR-15 and cleaning spray...BreakFree. He had on a jacket with all sorts of LAPD, LA SWAT emblems and combat gear, kneepads, Danner Kinetic tactical boots...that specops beard and shaggy hair and if it were not for the tricked out 1911 on a low tactical leg holster I would have thought weekend warrior playing soldier games at the range, a day early. The other thing was his hands.......not a spot of soft skin anywhere....rough as sandpaper and man did he have a tan. Face too....leather...burned brown. Y'know.......he would not have told me what his deal was anyway but I am guessing he is recently back from somewhere hot and dry. Maybe a security gig. He was too shaggy to be regular. I just thanked him for his service and got my ammo to go play soldier at the range on Sunday. Well, specialist........sniper. But you could tell he is a dangerous mofo! Damn it is good to know there are guys out there doing this {censored}. I just hope they never get put into a position of being forced to turn against their own people. Orders are orders. Martial law, weapons retrieval programs...separating the armed civilian from his hardware........ it could happen you know. Good on yer for helping out the old geezers. I have a great deal of respect for the warriors of WW2. Brutal war. Korea sucked pretty hard core as well..'Nam....that just some bull{censored}! It is fitting we honor them. Feels good and is good. And they who for their country die shall fill an honoured grave, for glory lights the soldiers tomb, and beauty weeps the brave. ~ Joseph Drake

 

I don't know about "dangerous mofo'. As a former Ranger with several friends in SF, I just don't see that kind of "look at me" behavior from people who've actually done the job. Obviously, I've never met the guy so I really don't know, but it just sounds like another SOF wannabee. If he's the real deal then hat's off to him, dress however you want.

[Goobers]

 

I don't know about "dangerous mofo'. As a former Ranger with several friends in SF, I just don't see that kind of "look at me" behavior from people who've actually done the job. Obviously, I've never met the guy so I really don't know, but it just sounds like another SOF wannabee. If he's the real deal then hat's off to him, dress however you want.

 

 

I was gonna say virtually the same thing. I don't know any soldier/Marine who does that.

[nice keetee]

Hopefully going to be a lot of returning/homecoming if Iraq and Afghanistan winds down. Help them out any way you can.

[John Bartus]

 

A sea change from Viet Nam for sure. So what does this mean: I've honestly never seen a politician be anything other than respectful and appreciative. Clueless? Sure. Expedient? Maybe. Are you thinking of anything specific, or just waxing poetic?

 

 

THIS: http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/11/opinion/raab-veterans/index.html

 

Those who create the conflicts that put our armed forces into harm's way are the same ones who decide how much to spend on -- or cut from -- the benefits our veterans deserve. A politician can pay lip service and seem respectful and appreciative while at the same time voting to cut veterans' benefits... and that is total disrespect to the honor and sacrifices made by our veterans and their families.

[Tomm Williams]

 

THIS: http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/11/opinion/raab-veterans/index.html Those who create the conflicts that put our armed forces into harm's way are the same ones who decide how much to spend on -- or cut from -- the benefits our veterans deserve. A politician can pay lip service and seem respectful and appreciative while at the same time voting to cut veterans' benefits... and that is total disrespect to the honor and sacrifices made by our veterans and their families.

 

 

That's exactly why I've always been of the opinion that politicians should be required to have military service in their record. Unless you've served, you really don't know what it involves.

[UstadKhanAli]

 

THIS: http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/11/opinion/raab-veterans/index.html Those who create the conflicts that put our armed forces into harm's way are the same ones who decide how much to spend on -- or cut from -- the benefits our veterans deserve. A politician can pay lip service and seem respectful and appreciative while at the same time voting to cut veterans' benefits... and that is total disrespect to the honor and sacrifices made by our veterans and their families.

 

 

Yup.

[Lukenskywalker]

I realize there seems to be a lot of 'non-vets' chiming in here with their opinions about the status and treatment of those who served... might be a little guilt that they didn't serve in any capacity other than to pay lip service to Vets after the smoke cleared...

 

 

 

The original purpose of this thread was to honor the memory and sacrifice of those who did serve...

not to become a forum to address the vagaries and inconsistencies how our Government has treated returning Vets...

 

My Vet 'homies' and I have all been 'wazooed' by the Govt. when we came home/finished our tours...I personally was screwed out of G.I bennies when I finished my original tour of duty because I was a member of the Student Peace Alliance while in College...no problemo, that was resolved in no time by my State Rep...in a thrice,

 

The 'Kor-Vet' that I drove around this weekend?...he was screwed out of his hard earned medals and just recently received them thanks to the efforts of NJ Rep. Chris Smith, our American Legion Post 417 and DMVA (NJ veterans affairs.)

 

 

For every scumbag Politico out there, there is at least one other good one to counter his moves.

 

Just for the record, all of the old warriors I had the honor of driving around on Vets day would gladly serve again if they had the wherewithal...

 

I got {censored}ed over when I finished my first tour...but I ultimately got my B.A. and M.A. paid by the GI Bill.

Just for the record.. after 9/11 while in my Fifties, I volunteered to serve a 2 year term (turned down the pay) in a State Naval Guards Unit, stationed in NJ/NY harbor, on a Naval Patrol Boat.

 

This thread was started for one purpose only...to honor those who served and would serve again...it was not intended to be a political forum to 'dis' the government. on any of it's {censored}-ups ..God knows there are plenty of them...

 

Post your anger/guilt induced posts there.... please ..

 

Those of you that shake Vets hands, buy them coffee, and truly respect them...Bless you.

 

If anyone cares to...please send Daklander a shoutout...he has paid a major price for his tour of duty.

[Mileskb]

I see not many have posted in this thread, but I did notice a trend and I guess want to ask "What (or who) do you think is a Veteran?" I know the answer because as they say "I are one." but I see most of the references to Vets being VietNam, Kor, WWII then Iraq/Iran and wondered if the majority of people, especially younger ones, know who would be, or what constitutes "A Veteran."

 

Feel free to use google because if you don't already know the answer, you'll get an interesting education if you are interested. Trust me on this. Or you could just uncover the spoiler...

 

 

Congress has actually never defined the term "Veteran." However, most benefits or references to Vets define the criteria as "180 days of Active Duty Military Service with an Honorable Discharge" there are some other situations for purposes of benefits that modify the above to 90 days Active Duty, Honorable Discharge and include being in a particular war zone during a particular time frame. But in general, anyone who has served in the Military at any time, is a Veteran. FWIW, just about as many Vets (on active duty) loose their lives in peace time as they do in war time. The media tends to be a bit misleading about this. It's not as glamorous to get run over by a truck, or blown up by a landmine on a range, or be shot in some friendly foreign country that just has someone that thinks we are evil, but it happens every day in peacetime, just as it does in wartime. Just doesn't make the headlines.

 

[UstadKhanAli]

Part of the difficulty in defining "veteran" is that there is no standardized legal definition of what constitutes a "military veteran". So most of use it to refer to someone who has served in the armed forces or has seen combat while serving in our armed forces. And obviously, that's not accurate either due to its extremely vague nature.

 

What I do know is that my father served in the U.S. Army, and my family has had a history of serving in the armed forces or for the federal government (State Dept., Congress, etc.).

 

I am also a government worker, but at a public high school. And while I've seen combat, that still doesn't qualify me as a veteran!

[daklander]

 

...... Post your anger/guilt induced posts there.... please .. Those of you that shake Vets hands, buy them coffee, and truly respect them...Bless you. If anyone cares to...please send Daklander a shoutout...he has paid a major price for his tour of duty.

 

 

 

First off, thank you for your service and I also want to thank all military veterans. I for one appreciate you keeping us safe.

 

While I appreciate the shout out there are thousands of veterans who have paid, or are paying a greater price than I.

It's very tough to lose a family member due to their service and it's also tough to have a family member come home damaged, whether physically or mentally so thanks to thee veterans families as well.

[Geoff Grace]

I'd like to add my sincere gratitude to our veterans. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

 

Best,

 

Geoff