damnnnnn Stephen....If that is your quote, God Bless. If it isn't, give credit, cuz that's baddddddddddd.

 

Lest we forget . . . .

Sixpipes, FlatsMan, and my father served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam -- flew in all three wars and lived to not tell about it.

I decided it was not the career life for me!!!!

[This message has been edited by Ivanhoe_Farms (edited 05-28-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Ivanhoe_Farms (edited 05-28-2001).]

 

Served over 26 years. When I read arguments or harsh comments on this or other sites I often think this is why I served. You can disagree and I and thousands of others will stand and defend your right to do so.

 

God Bless all those who serve our country. I never served personally....but dad was a 30 year career Air Force man.

[This message has been edited by MadMaxSC (edited 05-28-2001).]

 

T Ellenberger,

I do not know if you misunderstood what I was trying to say, but I think my father paid an extremely high price to give us the right to be free and enjoy the freedom we have. I served in the Army as a helicopter crew chief, FlatsMan was a pilot in the Army, but it is really a hard life and people do not understand!!!

 

I remember when growing up we would occasionally visit my grandparents on Decoration Day (Memorial Day) in the little Oklahoma town where they lived. Along with many of the other town residents, we would go out to the cemetery to lay wreaths on the graves of the war dead. I was only 7 or 8 at the time but I vividly remember standing at attention next to my granddad (who was gassed in France during WWI) while the VFW honor guard played taps and fired off a 21-gun salute. Fourteen years and halfway around the world later, I finally understood the sadness I saw in my granddad's eyes on those occasions.

We live in the greatest country on earth thanks in large part to the many men and women who gave (and are giving today) so much to keep it that way.

Mike
RVAH-11
USN
'69-'71

 

It was my honor to serve and today I am filled with pride for my son who is serving in Korea. May God bless and protect them all.

 

As a Nam Vet, I can not forget the 53000+ that did not make it home. Please give a moment out of your day to remember them and all others that never made it home to enjoy the joy of that new "L".

GOD bless them all

 

I,m always reminded of "saving Private Ryan" when I remember my Dad.He was a decorated soilder in W.W.II, he and his SIX brothers(yes I said six) were scattered throughout Europe all at the same time.I always used to get embarrased when he told his war stories to strangers, but it wasn't till he suddenly passed away in 1995(he was 69)and at his funeral my Aunt arranged a military service with 3 uniformed soilders that saluted him and handed a folded US flag to my Mom , that I realized how I took his pride for granted.I now give the time to listen to my uncles and any vet who cares to share these stories that I so dearly cherish and have come to apperciate with a totaltally new attitude.I only wish is that I could have did that when he was with me.I hope all of us realizes that our freedom has been paid for by these brave souls we call Vetrans of War.Never forget them.

 

My Grandfather fought in WWII. He was shot down over Germany while flying a B-52; and held in a POW camp for two years. He now has alzheimers and has no recollection of what he did for his country, nor who his wife or family are. To him, I give a salute for giving all of what he had for his country. God bless you one and all.

--The MAN

 

Good to see threads like this. Salutes to all who have served our country in the military, especially those who went to war. I can never thank you guys (and gals) enough for the unimaginable hell you went through for us whether in WW2, Korea, Vietnam, or any other conflict. My condolences to those families who have lost.

It's sad so many of these vets can't and/or won't discuss their experiences. I know it's because the memories are just too painful, so I can't blame them. But it just seems that our country (i.e. youth) is losing sight of the sacrifices that have been made, what these wars were about, and how horrible war really is. When you look back at the U.S. during WW2, it is simply AWE inspiring to see how the ENTIRE economy and the U.S. people were united to support our troops and win the war to get it over with.

The success of the U.S. and the Allies in Desert Storm was not just a coincidence...it was a perfect example of the lessons the U.S. (and its allies) has learned from past wars and the dedication and training of our military personnel.

Thanks again to all of those serving, past, present, and future!

--------------
Martyr
2001 Silver Lightning