Topic: What is a Veteran (Read 1944 times)

arcticdude · « **on:** November 09, 2006, 10:41:06 AM »

Since Veteran's Day is upon us again I thought this was worth sharing. As a Cold War vet on the MI side and having a son who's currently serving, I'd just like to thank ALL the Vet's out there. You are the people who've kept this country free, in spite of the liberal politicians who want to give it all away. Thank you.

WHAT IS A VETERAN?

What is a a Vet? You can't tell just by looking. He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel. He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel. She - or he - is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang. He is the POW who went away one person and came back another - or didn't come back at all. He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat - but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs. He is the parade -riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand. He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by. He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep. He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket - palsied now and aggravatingly slow - who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come. He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being - a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs. He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness... So remember...to just lean over and say Thank You.
-unknown

mtncop73 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 09, 2006, 08:53:25 PM »

I don't know what else to say but, Thank You!

RJ749 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 09, 2006, 08:57:57 PM »

Thank you, I have forwarded this to many friends who will appreciate it.

SEULTRA · « **Reply #3 on:** November 09, 2006, 09:37:30 PM »

I spent 22 years in the military and would do it all again. I was proud to serve and am still serving as a contractor with US Air Force Space Command. Thank you to all the vets out there .. your sacrifice is appreciated!! [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif] [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif] [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif] [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

cuthbertss · « **Reply #4 on:** November 09, 2006, 09:41:39 PM »

very profound ;
i have forwarded it my Soldiers.

ultrafxr · « **Reply #5 on:** November 09, 2006, 10:19:41 PM »

Amen brother. I'm proud to be a vet and wouldn't trade my experiences for anything. It is a crying shame that we don't have compulsory service. It would make folks appreciate this great country. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

Fired00d · « **Reply #6 on:** November 09, 2006, 10:31:48 PM »

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Amen brother. I'm proud to be a vet and wouldn't trade my experiences for anything. It is a crying shame that we don't have compulsory service. It would make folks appreciate this great country. [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

I couldn't have said it better, and I second all of the above!!!

[smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
[smiley=fireman.gif]

Pap · « **Reply #7 on:** November 10, 2006, 08:53:07 AM »

Very touching and humbling. Thankyou.

Ride Safe,
Pap

RJ749 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 10, 2006, 08:54:42 AM »

Fly your flags on Saturday [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

HWYMAN1 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 10, 2006, 05:01:54 PM »

A word of thanks so they know they are appreciated, and short prayer for those not here to let them know they are not forgotten!

Bagger · « **Reply #10 on:** November 11, 2006, 08:39:21 AM »

Though the rolls show me as "retired" after 21 years 5 months and 11 days of active federal service to our great nation in the United States Army, I still serve our great nation as a contractor supporting the United States Army's Program Executive Office-Command, Control, Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T). As a proud veteran, I salute those still serving and all vetrans everywhere. NEVER FORGET! The freedoms we enjoy are not free.........nor will they ever be free. May we reflect today...and everyday...on those who serve selflessly to ensure the freedom we enjoy remains intact. God Bless America.

JR · « **Reply #11 on:** November 11, 2006, 09:35:36 AM »

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Though the rolls show me as "retired" after 21 years 5 months and 11 days of active federal service to our great nation in the United States Army, I still serve our great nation as a contractor supporting the United States Army's Program Executive Office-Command, Control, Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T).

cuthbertss · « **Reply #12 on:** November 11, 2006, 09:45:50 AM »

MEDAL OF HONOR

Folks: This was one brave young man

Bush to Award Medal of Honor to Fallen Marine
President Makes Announcement During Dedication of Marine Museum
By DEB RIECHMANN, AP

QUANTICO, Va. (AP) - An emotional President Bush said Friday he would present the Medal of Honor -- America's highest military decoration -- to a Marine who died when he jumped on a grenade in Iraq and saved the lives of two comrades.

cuthbertss · « **Reply #13 on:** November 11, 2006, 09:50:11 AM »

which reminds me

Happy Birthday to all you Marines out there

Semper Fi ! from an army guy

fatboyse2 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 11, 2006, 09:50:12 AM »

Now here's a dose of Patriotism...John Wayne style.

http://sagebrushpatriot.com/america.htm

Special_Ed · « **Reply #15 on:** November 11, 2006, 10:13:33 AM »

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Amen brother.

Fired00d · « **Reply #16 on:** November 11, 2006, 06:11:40 PM »

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which reminds me

Happy Birthday to all you Marines out there

Semper Fi ! from an army guy

Thanks Bro.... Semper Fi!!!

[smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
[smiley=fireman.gif]

RJ749 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 11, 2006, 06:22:11 PM »

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I'm also proud to be a vet. Hats off and bowed in prayer and thanks on this Veterans Day to all the vets that have allowed us to have this day of freedom.

Flying Ace · « **Reply #18 on:** November 11, 2006, 06:29:43 PM »

Former Marine here, Semper Fi bros!

God bless all that have served.

Special_Ed · « **Reply #19 on:** November 11, 2006, 06:43:53 PM »

Former Coast Guard. Semper Paratus.

Fired00d · « **Reply #20 on:** November 11, 2006, 07:05:48 PM »

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Former Marine here,

UK Dave · « **Reply #21 on:** November 11, 2006, 07:56:35 PM »

Hi guys, we also mark 11/11 here in UK but our equivalent of Veterans' Day is tomorrow - Remembrance Sunday - when we remember all those who have served and suffered in the cause of freedom.

There are acts of Remembrance all around the country at 11:00 (eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month) and in London, there is a service of commemoration at the Cenotaph in Whitehall attended by our heads of Government, Senior Officers of our Armed Forces, Foreign Dignitaries and, of course, our Royal Family.

As a 24-year service Veteran I invariably shed a tear just to think of the loss suffered by those who have been less fortunate than I have been

The really moving part for me though, is when the formal marks of respect are over, the prayers have been said, the hymns are all sung and the large wreaths of poppies have been placed at the base of the Cenotaph by the representatives of "Officialdom".

Then it is the turn of the real heroes - the people who actually did the fighting and suffered the wounds - both physical and psychological.

They march past, proudly bearing their medals as reminders of their previous lives, some are Sailors wearing the white berets of the Arctic convoys.

Some are soldiers - with the green, maroon or fawn berets of our Special Forces Marines, Para and SAS

The Scottish Regiments - now sadly depleted by the bleeding hearted Liberals who would give away all our hard earned freedoms.

And then there are those who cannot walk unaided but are propelled in wheelchairs by their helpers.

Most moving of all for me however are the blinded veterans from St Dunstan

SPIDERMAN · « **Reply #22 on:** November 11, 2006, 09:40:34 PM »

[highlight]They shall not grow old
As we who are left, grow old
Age shall not weary them
Nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember them
We WILL remember them[/highlight]

Dave,

Author Topic: What is a Veteran (Read 1944 times)

Bagger

SPIDERMAN