Veterans Fall In!

[PeeWee]

From one service member to others...Thank you for protecting our nation.

For those that have gone before us in battle and paid the ultimate scarifice, your brothers-in-arms carry on your loyality and determination.

God Bless the USA.

[deauxrite]

US Army Warrant (Helicopter Pilot) 1969-1991
RVN
Korea
Germany
Multiple vacation spots around the Globe.

[flynmike]

Air Force Active duty from 74 - 78
Air Force Reserve 78 - 80 (went to police academy so I got out)
Missed the Air Force ALOT so I went back in the Air Force Reserve in 84 - cross trained to Boom Operator on the KC 135 and been passin' gas at 25,000 feet since.

Been in every shootin' match since...Desert Shield/Storm, Somalia, Kosovo, and on and on up to this mess we're in now.

Cross train to KC 10 Boom Operator this fall when I retire from the sheriff's department and they're gonna have to throw me out of the Reserve...I'm not goin' peacefully, it's been great!

[Zugbug]

Aviation Electricians Mate 3rd class USN 72-76
VA- 146 on the USS Constillation.

[Whizzo]

USAF 1985-2005, mostly as a computer geek Served in the Gulf war zone a few times, but it was nothing like what so many young people are doing for us right now. Special thanks to the Army and Marines downrange and on the ground.

Our greatest thanks to the many men and women serving honorably, and "doing it for real" around the world.

[RedBlur]

US Army/Army Reserves 1980-1986

If you can read, thank a teacher. If you are reading in English, thank a VET!
God Bless our current men and women serving in the Armed Forces. They are all of our heroes!

[wagnerda]

I was active duty US Army Jan 76-Jul 79, left as an E-5, Specialist 31E40 Field Communications Electronics Repair... Proud to have served..

I enlisted because it was sort of expected of you.

My Dad: Korea, 2nd Div, 37th Field Artillery. Charley Battery 19. My dad lost 80% of his hearing in Korea... He said when they fired the 105's all you did was to just turn your head.......

My uncle: WWII, 34th Div 155th Field Artillery, went ashore with Patton at Sicily, also at the Anzio Death Trap. Survived and is still going strong today.

best regards. Dave

[Safari-Rick]

U.S. Navy (Retired)
1969 - 1993
VietNam
Gulf -1

My Son - Rick Jr.
U.S. Army (3rd Armor)
1989 - 1991
Gulf War -1
M1A1 Tanker

My Father (may he rest in peace)
1943 - 1945
WW II

[mrmossyone]

I took my family to the Memorial service at the West TN. Veterans Cemetary today. I was just paying my respects and honoring those before me but the kids got to learn some life lessons today. The kids really liked the missing man fighter jet fly over and then my oldest really took it in when I explained the significance of the missing man.

Much respect to all my fellow veterans, their families and all those who paid the ultimate sacrfice.

[Journalist]

To those who came before me, those who served with me and those who serve now. Thank you.
Got to meet some fellow vets on Monday, and got a reminder that there are no others quite like the of the men and women who protect our great nation.

[willyd]

U.S. Navy 1961-1965

USS HOEL DDG13

[SlipStreamer]

USAF - 28 years - Retired December 1980- SMSgt

[rogerdodger]

U.S. Navy 1956-1960 as an Electronics Technician 3rd class
U.S.S. Onslow (Seaplane tender)
U.S.S. Oriskany (Aircraft carrier)
U.S.S. Ticonderoga (Aircraft Carrier)

Roger

[Mexray]

AD1, VP872 US Naval Air Reserve, Alameda, CA 62-68...

We were part of the Reserve Fleet of Sub chasers, flew in SP2E's...Two 'turnin' and two 'burnin'...the Navy's old original Neptune bombers converted to duty of Sub hunters..

The Regular Navy had already begun using the Orion turbo-prop aircraft by the time I got on board.

As a 'Mech', I got lots of experience on the old SP2E's! They had two large rotary piston/prop engines, and two small Jet turbines mounted outboard. The jets were used for additional thrust on take off, and were set at 'idle' whenever we were flying low over the water, in case of regular engine failure. The jet pods had movable doors in front to keep the engines from turning until needed. They burned the regular Aviation gas, and sucked that stuff up like crazy, so were only used for short periods...fun stuff!

I had the best seat in the plane, inside the Plexiglas dome in the nose of the aircraft...I've got many pic's of the Golden Gate Bridge from that vantage point, as we would fly west on training missions! I got lots of seat time in those old war birds, crowded as they were inside, they never let us down...we taxpayers got our monies worth out of those old ships, designed in the 40's...

The Navy had an aircraft rebuild facility in Alameda, and I can remember seeing a couple of our old SP2E's being converted for 'stealth' duty in Southeast Asia. They were painted with 'stealth' dull black paint, had terrain avoidance radar, a couple of Gatling hi rate of fire machine guns aboard...for 'bothering' the night time supply convoys I was told...and other new military goodies of the time...sure glad I didn't have to fly on those hot rods!

The 'Six Day War' in the Middle East occurred during my duty years, and two squadrons at Alameda were called up to active duty for a year...our 'cousins' in the regular navy were able to keep their 'eyes' on all the Submarine activity, so we weren't needed over there.

Being part of the 'Weekend Warrior' fraternity gave many of us the military training to be used as backups when necessary. God bless our frat brothers now serving in the Middle East...may you soon be back home with your loved ones!

[ROBERT CROSS]

Dad was a Mustang during WW2.

Passed away in 1971 as a Major.

Found this tucked away in one of his old uniforms yesterday while cleaning

Mom's house.

Tears in my eyes?............you bet your ass!!!!

Semper-Fi

[HOG-I]

USAF, Lt.Col (Ret.) 27years, 7months, 12 days but whose counting. Loved every day of it.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Dad was a Mustang during WW2.

Passed away in 1971 as a Major.

Found this tucked away in one of his old uniforms yesterday while cleaning

Mom's house.

Tears in my eyes?............you bet your ass!!!!

Semper-Fi

For those that served, regardless of how, we all understand.

For those that didn't serve, many of those understand too, families and relatives of all kinds.

Unfortunately, for some that didn't serve, they don't have a clue. Those are the ones that brag typically, that "this is a free country," and behave accordingly.

The big question is, "what did they do to help keep us free?"

That's when the subject is changed, and usually without the added foul language.

Veterans, or their families, all shed tears easily.

Visit the Arizona Memorial, as I have many times, and you will always see, many many wet eyes.

Visit the memorial in person, or on line, and, keep the Kleenex handy.

I have several USA flags with dated certificates stating that that flag flew over the Arizona Memorial on Dec 7, but at a different year and time of day.

Staring at those flags and certificates, quickly brings tears.

Andy

[tommyschulz]

SFC Tommy Schulz
26 yrs army

[easyride]

US Army Nam 70-71 pulling fuel tankers thru central highlands,yes I`ve been pulling trailers for quite a few years. Dave

[ROBERT CROSS]

What Is A Veteran?

A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or
reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank
check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount
of 'up to, and including his life.'

That is honor, and there are way too many people in this
country today, who no longer understand that fact.

God Bless America

Happy Independence Day