Veterans

Sid1962 · #1 (**permalink**) November 11th, 2009, 10:04 AM

I saw the quote below on another board, and felt that it was just the thing to post here today.

I know that there have been other posts about Veterens Day on other topics here on the board, but I want to say thank you to all who served.

"A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to, and including my life."

That is honor and courage.

skymaster · #2 (**permalink**) November 11th, 2009, 10:17 AM

Thanks Sid. I can't say it was a "pleasure" to serve, however it certainly was an "HONOR". I love this country, and it would do whatever required to defend her.

Ken
"SKYMASTER"

Manuel · #3 (**permalink**) November 11th, 2009, 11:22 AM

Thank you Sid.

I did not enjoy serving at the time I was in Vietnam, but now I am proud that I did.

TM

ready2gonow · #4 (**permalink**) November 11th, 2009, 12:05 PM

Sid, thank you for sharing that quote. It says so much.

How can you thank a person who has given so much? This includes those who never left stateside, served during times of peace, served in trenches around the world, we have our freedom, thanks to each of you. I don't have the words that feel adequate. Because of that, I will simply say thank you, thank you, thank you!

Mike M · #5 (**permalink**) November 11th, 2009, 12:29 PM

I want to thank ALL Veterans who have given their time, blood, sweat and tears and sacrifed many things in order to provide all of us with freedom.

Take care,
Mike

Luanne Russo · #6 (**permalink**) November 11th, 2009, 02:55 PM

I had to go on post a few minutes ago. Never has Veterans Day meant so much. We lost 13 last week, but last night we gained a plane load of troops coming home after a year.

As some of you know, Joe is buried in his fathers future grave at the Military Cemetery, so he has a flag on his grave, like the others.

I wondered why, until I realized that Joe is only keeping the place, until his daddy one day joins him.

I say Thank You and God Bless all the vets, today and in the future.

Love,

Luanne

ToddDH · #7 (**permalink**) November 12th, 2009, 09:52 AM

The system was in flux so I am only seeing this thread today. As usual, I'm "a day late and a dollar short."

Nonetheless I salute all of my fellow Veterans. While I served during Vietnam I never went to "Nam" myself. For that reason, even though eligible, I shall not join the VFW if only because I subscribe to the original tenets of that organization in that (when I was young), you actually had to have served overseas and I spent my tour in the States. I am, however, a card carrying member of the American Legion.

Todd

Luanne Russo · #8 (**permalink**) November 16th, 2009, 10:30 PM

Todd,

I think you should re-consider. You served during war time, so whatever your job, you were supporting those who were in the theater.

They could use a good man like you.

Phil&Liz · #9 (**permalink**) November 17th, 2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skymaster

Thanks Sid. I can't say it was a "pleasure" to serve, however it certainly was an "HONOR". I love this country, and it would do whatever required to defend her.

Ken
"SKYMASTER"

Boy I can agree with the pleasure part!! but it was an honor to serve.

Semper Fi

Phil & Liz

Mrsrocster · #10 (**permalink**) November 17th, 2009, 09:12 PM

I want to take a moment to hightlight a unique perspective, hoping to not diminish our solders of the past and present because they truly deserve our thanks and appreciation!
I was born into a military family, we moved every 4 years (my dad was in the Navy), so, while I was very young when my dad ‘retired’ from the military, I remember when my only brother (4 yrs older) enlisted into the Air Force in 1983.
I married in late 1988 and then in early 1991 when we JUST learned I was pregnant, Operation Desert Shield began, mid Jan 1991. My son Mark was born September 12, 1991.
A few years go by……..and….My brother was next to the tower that was bombed in Saudi Arabia in 1996 (thankfully, he was okay). He helped rescue several soldiers and stood in line for hours to be able to make a phone call to me, because he couldn’t get through to our mom or his wife and kids (he was able to call them later, just the phone lines weren’t working all that great then so you take what you can get when you can). Side note…….that day I was scheduled to work my regular full time job but had to take the afternoon off for another appointment and just HAPPENED to be home when the call from my brother came from Saudi Arabia (coincidently, I was watching CNN Headlines News at that very moment!). What if I wasn’t home at that very moment? Who would he have gotten ahold of? Wow, still to this day gives me goose bumps. I was so worried for him and of course his wife and kids…..I was the one he got through first!!! Darn phone lines and how they worked back then………

So, while I was lucky as a military wife from late 1988 to late 1993, my husband was in the active duty reserves and wasn’t called to active duty overseas. I was very lucky at that time to say the least. He helped maintain the security on the US mainland at some of the largest military bases on the western coast of California.

Fast forward to my son who turned 18 this year. When I realized that he was required to sign up with the Selective Service…….I was nervous (read: in denial)! Holy cow, this could mean that the government could call my son up to service if the need arose (not to mention all of the acts of congress etc… that would have to happen)! Needless to say, I am nervous, I mean, he’s still in high school (long story) for goodness sakes! He’s still my little boy (I mean my young man). (still reading the denial part here)

So, while I would love it if my son enlisted into the military, I’d like to be able to ‘control’ which branch, even though he’ll be the one deciding if or when he decides on the military. Today’s military to me is much better than it was 30-40-50 years ago, but it still makes me nervous to know that he’d be out there putting his life on the line for me, no matter how proud I’d be. Its hard for us moms I guess and that means I have to give up the ‘control’ that I want…….he’ll be a man and I just have to accept it.

So, while this post is after Veterans Day, I hope its not too late in its sentiment. My son is currently in the NJROTC at school and looks quite handsome (hopefully I’ll be able to post a picture soon) if I do say so myself…….I just hope this is something he’d like to do when he graduates from high school. Then, you'd see a REALLY proud momma!

Michelle
(aka mrsrocster)