Veterans/Retired Military

[katfish16]

RmRC51, (Rich) where were U stationed??? Tried to send U a PM but u have it turned off.
I spent 28 great yrs in the Coast Guard.

[tis]

I really have to bite my tongue when I hear something negative about our Veteran's. I served my time, and have alot of memories. I'll always be greatful to have had the Honor to serve with both male & female, I was on a strike team with a bunch of great guys. One of my saddest moments was coming home from the Air Force in 1964 and seeing how the Students from Harvard University & I'm sure all other colleges were treating our Veteran's and protesting the war. Bottom line we go all over the Globe to protect Democracy, and what we get in return is people speaking out (FREE SPEACH) I do remember when someone Thanked me the first time for being a Veteran. Sorry for being so long winded. Somethings just get to me...........

[CrosseyedDragon]

I wasn't in the military. However, my husband was in the 101st Airborne in Vietnam in 1968-1969, my late father-in-law was a WWII Navy veteran, and my grandfather was a WWI veteran. I also have an ancestor who was in the Union Army, one who was in the Confederate Army, and one who did two tours during the Revolutionary War.

[rmrc51]

I wasn't in the military. However, my husband was in the 101st Airborne in Vietnam in 1968-1969, my late father-in-law was a WWII Navy veteran, and my grandfather was a WWI veteran. I also have an ancestor who was in the Union Army, one who was in the Confederate Army, and one who did two tours during the Revolutionary War.

That is one very impressive family history! I'm sure you're very proud of their military service. SALUTE!!!!!!

[Shmick]

101st ABN DIV 73-6
TDY 5th Marines Saigon Evac 75
92D-P
I enlisted a few days after my draft letter came. Figured the war was over, I'll get an education. Boy did I ever. Worst/best 3 years of my life. Thanks to all who served and can read this and especially to those that can't.

[tejas]

Another who missed this thread:
SALUTE to all who have served. Esp nam vets!!!!! Sad situation.
USN airdale '50 to '54
If you want to do something rewarding checkout index

[BenO]

Vietnam and every campaign through Desert Storm. I was gone from home a lot..

[Nana]

My son-in-law was over during Desert Storm. I'm so thankful for all of you who have served, and particularly thankful to have you all here so I can say "Thank You!" in person!

[Georgew48]

Hey John Luciano, belated welcome home (welcome home to all the other Vets also). I served with the Tiger Division also. I spent a year with them out of Tiger Town in the Central Highlands. Was with the 21 TASS (Tum FAC's). Our mission was foward air control for that part of II Corps. Koreans were a great bunch of fighters.

[bdn56]

The services did not want me in the early 70's. I don't remember most of the decade. I did manage to cut my hair and straighten up a bit.
20 years later I retired from the US Army as a CW3 Aviator.
Who would have ever guessed?

Thanks to all who have sacrificed for this country.

[George Lewis]

USAF 1952-1981. Airborne radio operator on cargo planes. Commissioned in 1963, retired as a Major from the USAF Security Service. (not the security police) Saw the world. 80% good, 20% bad.

[evileagle]

Yeah...retired Army 1SG 71-93, still in uniform so to speak JROTC Instructor

[saybel]

Yeah...retired Army 1SG 71-93, still in uniform so to speak JROTC Instructor

Welcome aboard
Thanks for your service to our great country!!!
Your forum signature says it all. :Flag:

[evileagle]

Seems to be a bunch of us! We should have a rally someday TrikeVets yeahhhh
hell ain't got mine warm yet and look at me.....

Some gave all...All gave some

[SpecialK]

first and foremost....I love and respect our military and vets as do all of us here. Way less important is I dabble in prose and poetry and our Vets are a favorite topic.

Here is my latest entitled "This Time"

Hope you enjoy and please stay blessed,
Kay


The aging biker rustily removed his one good leg over the well worn leather seat. The bike was a vintage Knuckle head completely dressed out and pristine. The biker wasn’t as “pristine.”

With a bowed leg that gave credence to a more than slight limp, he ambled his way toward the front of a white collar group gathered on the lawn at the Lincoln Memorial. He’d just come by to unobtrusively visit the site and didn’t anticipate the make shift crowd’s presence.

Stopping to try to catch what the mid – twenties young woman (speaking) was so passionate about – he caught the words politics...war mongers…men too ready to kill for no good reason except the passion of the ultimate chase. She went on, to cheers from the growing crowd, about how wars on foreign soil don’t impact Americans except to rob their pockets and employ some undesirables.

The biker had taken about all he could stand…would he walk away in disgust as he’d done in the past when presented with similar circumstances or would this time be ‘the one?”

At barely five foot six inches, jeans, tee and leather vest, slightly balding in front and a long tail of dusty gray hair in the back - he didn’t need the extra height to stand out in this crowd.

He stepped in front of the microphone just abandoned by the young woman. As he heard the cat calls, jeers and laughter…he stood his ground and waited patiently for the noise to die down.

Then he began…

“Standing in front of this memorial – I could tell you how many wars were fought on our soil by brave men who answered a call so this monument could be erected and visited today. I could tell you of the plans of other countries to take over ours if we hadn’t fought on foreign soil with expertly trained men of all backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, education levels, etc caring enough about us “the future of America” to go to those places they’d only read about or never heard of prior to.

They, and those who fight today, did so for you to have the right to stand here and make a complete fool out of yourself. It’s a “right” not an obligation. It was hard won on many fields of battle and presently continues to be so.

They’ve sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution that most of you have never read.

They’ve sacrificed family, comfort, higher paying jobs and stability so all of us have the opportunity to pursue ours.

Freedom has never been and will never be free. It comes at a huge price, ultimate to some, but worth it for all who reap the rewards.

Our military, past and present…"a group of ordinary men and women doing extraordinary tasks with an unprecedented level of commitment to ensure our present and future remain free.”

God bless America and especially our military families – continuing the tradition of daily putting their all on the line for us.

[evileagle]

Amen

[Nana]

Kay, that is absolutely true and exceptionally beautiful! Thank you!

[katfish16]

Thank U Kay, sometime people forget the difference between right and privledge....

[evileagle]

Kay
Mind if I print it for my guys at the VFW?

[SpecialK]

Thanks ev1 from the bottom of my heart. Please feel free to print it and share - I'd be humbled and honored.

I can't and didn't serve...so this is the only way I know of to give a little back and to say "We appreciate you!"

Kay