Veteran's Day 11/11

“During this time of war it seems appropriate to acknowledge those TTers who've served in the US Armed Forces. I might have opposing beliefs than many of you who also served, but I can respect your service. I would like to know who else served and details.

Myself: US NAVY, Carter era, made it to E-5 on the USS Enterprise as a "nuke." Honorable discharge.”

“does being an army brat work?”

“O-3, Unites States Army Reserve. 15 JUL 87 to 31 JUN 90”

“Gotta have a DD-214 to qualify vix!”

“*whimper*”

“lol Mr.Spock served on the Enterprise.

Hats off to y'all!”

“PFC Wpns Platoon, Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment,Ft Lewis Wa. 1991-1993”

“US Army 16 April 1984-08 Aug 2000. Served in all the war zones and "peace keeping missions". Infantryman & combat medic.
To all those that served before me, my undying respect, to all those serving, my never ending gratitude, and to all those who will serve, my lasting gratitude. Without all that have, are and will serve May god be with you.”

“Not a veteran myself, but I salute all you veterans.

Spock - Some Enterprise trivia for you. The founder of Enterprise Rent-a-Car served on the USS Enterprise. He named the company after it.

I attended a Veteran's Day ceremony today at our university. It was very good. (The President of our university spent his childhood in a Japanese interment camp. His remarks were quite interesting). I got my picture taken with two of the WAFS who ferried airplanes from here to the East Coast. They were sharp as a tack.”

“Veterans' Day takes on special meaning when there are so many fine dedicated people from our country in harms way. I'll take some time tommorrow to think of sacrifices, bravery and loss - past, present and future. This story that I found on the net a while ago was quite moving to me:

http://www.gospelroadministries.us/Veterans.html" target="_blank"> story ”

“10 November is the Marine Corps Birthday.”

“Thanks, ped.


On this Veteran's day in particular. My many thanks to the Delta Raiders . Several of their survivors have helped me to cope with pain I have felt for a long time.

In the group photo, my brother (at age 18) is in the fifth row, 8th from the right.

He instilled in me a deep love of God and Country and took me on my first backpacking trip.


Gone, by never forgotten.”

“Thanks Chili.”

“Well Elf, I wonder why no one pulled up http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread.php?id=10995&q=nav&age=-1”

“I knew a couple of guys who went to a couple of reunions at Iwo Jima. They looked across at the
Jap survivors and both sides thought the same thing. There's some bastages that got away. Unlike Europe, it was pretty much a take no prisoners kind of fighting.
take no prisoners”

“Thanks to all the people on TT, and all the soldiers that served for us.”

“Up here in Canada, a business (IKEA) and 2 banks (Banque Nationale and Caisse Desjardins) refused to let veterans sell the poppies on their property (they had let the veterans sell the poppies before). After a public uproar...the three companies recanted their policy.

LEST WE FORGET....”

“A thought - Thanks to our neighbors up north for thier sacrifices as well!”

“U.S. Soldiers kick ass!”

“Thanks to all the veterans out there! Remembering them always, but especially today.”

“yea, they do artex!”

“moving thread to top”

“When I was younger I had a misconception about the conflicts we fight in because WWII was so cut and dry in it’s necessity but then Vietnam came along and it seemed like a war that was not about defending our freedoms and that the men who died somehow died in vain. Now that I am more mature I see that our armed forces fight for freedom rather than JUST country. And to fight for someone else’s freedoms is kind of an even higher honor.

Thanks to all vets who served regardless of the times and conditions they served in.”

“I'm struggling with a temptation to respond politically to Nigal's post.

Let me put it this way: all of my known kin that were in the USA 140 years ago were South of the Mason-Dixon. I've got some family in the Sons of the Confederacy and a lot of great great grand and great great great grand dad's and uncles and cousins many times removed who fought for the Confederacy. I've had a chance to read some letters home and learn about the honored Confederate dead in my family tree.

They were brave folk. They were mostly farmers digging in the dirt in Texas and parts East of Texas. They were fighting because they'd taken oaths and were wearing uniforms, they were fighting because their friend's lives were at stake and because victory would be better for their families than defeat. None of them owned slaves, and not a single letter that I saw mentioned slavery or State's rights or the 3/5s rule.

Do I think the cause of the succession and the confederacy were just? No. But I am in awe of some of the men that fought and died in the confederate uniform. There is a lot more glory in fighting in a noble war when the cause is just in the grand scheme of things, and there is a lot more glory in victory than defeat. But the respect, honor and admiration due to people who put their lives on the line who pledge their service to the leaders of their nation - doesn't hinge on the motives or causes in the hearts of the leaders.

I think our combat veterans are worth honoring, regardles of what war, what president, what conflict.”

“"I'm struggling with a temptation to respond politically to Nigal's post."

Best not to. I didn't mean my post to be a political thing. It was ment to be positive.”

“I took it as positive, Nigal.

Although I feel our policies were misguided in Vietnam, I don't think any Veteran who served there did any less for his country than any other veteran.

Fighting for Freedom is alwasy noble. While many were drafted and sent to Vietnam, there were many more who volunteered. Not for the glory, but for the Duty associated with citizenship in this country.”

“A crisp salute to all of those who have served and those who are serving!

I thought I'd share some of my buddy PJ's awards...

NATO Medal (2)
Army Srvice Ribbon
NCO Professional Development Medal
Armed Forces Srvice Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal (3)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal (2)
Good Conduct Medal (3)
Overseas Service Bar
French Parachutists Badge
Russian Parachutists Badge
Bronze Star (2) (one posthumously)
Purple Heart (posthumous)
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal (3)
Ranger Tab
Combat Infantry Badge
Expert Infantry Badge
Senior Parachutist Badge
Parachutist Badge
United Nations Medal”

“I never served in the armed forces, but I know who I owe my freedom to. I teach my children why they are free, and what it means to be free. I tell them mild stories of the opression kids in other countries face so that they can somewhat understand that their own circumstances are very unique and blessed. They are growing up with love, respect, admiration and gratitude for those who fight for us, for this is how their father feels.”

“Some good stuff here.

(Thanks)

M Silver, USAF 1968-1972”

“Thank you M Silver!”

“Birch: Loads to be proud of there. I followed the Delta Raiders link to the list of Raider KIAs. At the bottom is the quote: "A man is not dead until he is forgotten."

Nigal: I was careful to talk only about my reactions... not your intentions.

MSilver: Thanks for serving in a difficult time.”

“ped - your post and the memory of PJ reminded me of the profound words used to memorialize some WWII MIA's on the "Wall of the Missing" at the Margraten Cemetary in the Netherlands. My uncle's name is on the wall.
”

“"Nigal: I was careful to talk only about my reactions... not your intentions."

Oh no, I didn't take it that way. You are one of the few people that can disagree without trying to villify the other person by putting words in their mouth.

Good lookin' out ma bratha!”

“bump”

“Thank you to all the veterans that served your country. I sincerely appreciate the risk, responsibility and hardship that you endured to serve.”

“Thank you skiracer. When I came home after my service people treated me like I just got out of prison. I am glad that attitudes have changed.”

“I spent my eight years in the Navy Medical Corps, mostly at Oak Knoll in Path and running the blood center, making good blood for the real sailors.



I got a free 3 month side trip to Subic Bay P.I., at the hospital affectionately known as "Jungle General".



My father was USAF 22 years, SEA conflict, Ton Sa Nhut offensive and several buddies MIA or KIA over Laos.

Who says we lost? Stopped China and Russia in VN, Russia eventually went broke.
last edited: 11/11/05 7:17:17 AM”

“As a rule I generally stay out of the picture. When I was 19 going on 20 I got a great birthday present (10 nov) the chance to hook up with a few others for long range recon. The way I figured it was how much noise does a Cav Troop make in the jungle compaired to ten or so scouts. And I thought I was being smart.(guess again grasshopper)- There will be a parade today and then the usual hoisting of good Bourbon at a downtown watering hole with close friends... only one of which has served in a later conflict(Storm 1). Yet somehow this year I feel really laid back. I will fall instep at eleven hundred hours with the other Nam vets that are able to still walk and go down the boulevard for the benefit of the day and those curios or patriotic enough to interrupt their day to view the procession, yet something is stirring in the back of my mind and it haunts me so. I keep to myself mostly to give reverent observance and pay my own respects to others now that are in the field and doing the dirty work. I can only pray they stay safe and come back to take our place in line and continue the march ...least we forget.”

“This day must be torture for the violin/tilt/america-hating crowd.”

“Just got back from our local observance.

Next duty dates:

Dec. 3, Army-Navy (Go Army!)
Dec. 4, Pearl Harbor Day observance”

“I was planning to get in the parade today, but I missed it due to illness. Tomorrow evening I would like to hear the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus.
Army band, chorus highlight Veterans Day festivity”

“Thanks to our veterans! To those who now serve in Iraq, some of us are working hard to get you home, and out of harm's way. Good luck!”

“Ex navy, thanks”

“On the way into work this morn (about 630am) I drove by our towns veterans memorial. Some local H.S. kids in JROTC were out standing tall, marching slowly and crisply in the 30 degrees temps. It was good to see some young proud Americans acknowledging those who have fallen.

Thanks to all who have served, we are in your debt.

Thanks PJ, we all miss you dearly.”

“Thanks!

Best wishes to all who served and have served.”

“Mutt I take offense to your hateful post!

To the rest you, Thank you!
For once I agree with bacpac, I glad attitudes have changed.”

“God Bless all those who have been, are and will be in harms way to protect our freedoms and sucure our way of life.”

“Some good things, tonight. I went to hear an Army Band and Choral Group outdoors in a park. My knee is hurting so much that I had to take crutches. I, also, took a lawn chair for comfort. The band was from Washington, D.C., and was the Army's Regimental Traveling Band and they were very good. I would guess that they have more than one such outfit. The Army Choral Group was equally outstanding.

Some guy came over and joined me on a park bench next to me. I warned him that I had a bad cold, but he was not worried about it. He was from Chicago originally, too, so we had some things in common. This included Martial Arts Training and experiences in Europe. He went and got his daughter, who is a great granddaughter of Lindberg. Only 15, she is into a lot of things. She has a trumpet intertainment group and and has appeared before the President 12-times. She signed the back of a card for the Space Walk of Fame Foundation and Museum, after she adddressed it to me. She is in ROTC and some other military organizations and signed as C/TSgt Monica D. Key Lindbergh. She dated the card, too. Since the Museum is free, I'm not sure what will happpen when I show the card, as directed. I imagine that I'll receive a VIP treatment. The man left with his daughter and wife before I left. On the was out I was struggling with both crutches and the lawn chair, so a couple offered to help. They carried the chair for me and located the car, which was directly behind theirs. So, all in all, it was an enjoyable evening.”

“Probably thought you were injured in a war.”