THANK YOU VETERANS

[normsutton]

THE NEW AND THE OLD
FOR KEEPING US SAFE


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7EPlqvMAfU


NORM

[protector]

Amen to that,your efforts are appreciated here!!

[michaelap]

Thank you indeed. The fact that we don't have to fight'm here in our own streets is something some of us don't take for granted. When we say thank you we really mean you are a great American!

[blinddog]

+1 on that michaelap. Its a great day and also one of sorrow and gratitude.

[gypsydavy]

My thanks and gratitude as well, to all who have served past to present. Your sacrifices have never been in vain. My freedom is never taken for granted. David.

[saands]

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who has given the protester the right to burn the flag.

I drive by a national cemetery about once a month and every time, I salute and offer up a prayer as I drive by.

Thanks to all that have given me so much ... I, for one, won't forget.
Saands

[trent]

Thank you veterans, no matter when you served, no matter what your job, you are each an important part of keeping the contry safe

[nbender]

Thanks saands, that's the best and most succient post I've seen on the subject.

[papabear]

+1 with nbender


papabear

[butch50]

Here is one to my Dad - he served in combat zones in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. I was looking at some veterans day facts on the web, and found that he was one of only 143,000 soldiers to have served in those three wars. I don't know how many of those served in combat zones, nor how may are still alive.

Thanks Dad!!!

PS - all three of his sons served as well.

[trent]

That's a good Idea Butch, Lets post our family memebers who served

(my Dad's side) My great grandfather served in the philipines during the Spanish American war, then in WWI as an officer (Army) (retired as a Colonel I believe) My grandfather served as an Army drill sergent in Lousiana then in the Philipines as a gurilla advisor during WWII (stationed in the same base as his father oddly enough) My father served as a "special" (think big) weapons tech during the vietnam war in Germany. My grandfather on my mother's side served as a artillary crew man in the Army in WWII (fought in Monte Casino)

[carguy]

Cool idea... my dad fought his way (as he liked to put it) from the tip of the toe to the top of the boot of Italy in WWII with the Army's 34th Red Bull Divison...his division acrually captured the German Army's 34th infantry Division (something like 20,000 men)and I still have his commendation and a replica medalion of the German 34th division's insignia, issued to him for participation by his commanding general. I spoke with a veteran months ago at my barbershop. I was actually thanking him for his service when he found out that my dad was in the 34th, he thanked me for his contribution, he said I would be shocked at the combat the 34th saw...I never knew...like so many others my dad rarely spoke of his service.

He had 4 brothers (members in every service in WWII) one didn't make it home...my grandmother had a service flag with 4 white and 1 gold service star hanging in the window for many years.

My uncle on my mom's side of the family served in the army in the Phillipines and a great uncle (my Nana's brother) was in the Navy in WWII (love seeing pictures of him with that silly beret and his big bell bottom pants ) Finally a cousin did 20+ years in the Air Force retired as a very high Sergant and recruiter...served 2 tours on Vietnam and literally traveled the world, 1 of his children was even born in Japan.

I actually had an appointment to the Air Force Academy but turned it down with the sudden death of my father when I was 17 and stayed home to attend colleg locally and support my mom and sister. I certainly feel I missed out on "something" by not serving.

Thanks to all that served and continue to serve without them who knows where we would be now...certainly not participating on a public forum like this!! :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*

[gotmak]

I can't even imagine the cost that many have paid for my freedoms. Especially those who have paid the ultimate price, no longer here to enjoy the life for which they have laid down their's for. It is too humbling, because anything I could say to one who is putting his or her life on the line for me would just be too little. It seems to leave me in an utterly dependent state of mind. Therefore, I would never want to take it for granted. Life here on Earth is like a vapor, gone so fast, yet many would put this life's joys, sorrows & life experiences on hold for a time or even eternity to serve in one of the branches of our Armed Forces. I feel unworthy, of their sacrifices, but they continue to go for all of us, nonetheless. Wow, what can you say to one of these brave souls? Many would tell you that a thank you will suffice. :'( Yes, that would do I suppose, but I only wish that they could know that those two words are pregnant with emotion, that well up inside, they are doing something for me that I could not do for myself! I have a friend that is serving in Afghanistan, who is looking to come home this month for a couple weeks of R&R. Be safe my friend, the Lord Bless & keep you,and I hope to see you soon. And again, Thank you.

[trent]

very well said my friend

[normsutton]

my dad was in the 28th Infantry Division
I am very proud of my dad, landed at Normandy and got all the way to Belgium , where he got hit and earned his bronze star and purple heart, my dad never talked about the war much
my mom had this shadow box made up for me after he died in 1990 ( I still miss him)





more on the 28th
http://www.bcs-pa.com/pa/28th/


NORM