SylvanLakeWH 25,493 #1 Posted November 11, 2020 Thank you to all Veterans... Our Country and the world owe you a debt of Gratitude... 4 1 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,302 #2 Posted November 11, 2020 In the small circle of friends that Trina and I have there is a woman who I'll refer to as Marie. We met six or seven years ago when she started showing up for the hikes that I was leading. Over the next couple years our group narrowed down to a half a dozen people or so and we would meet a few times a year to camp and hike and shoot the breeze like friends do. We all knew where she was stationed and that she had a fair pile of seniority so obviously she was in some sort of mid-level or higher position. We all knew she had been stationed in different parts of the world over the years and we all knew one of those places was the Middle East. She's a small statured pleasant looking woman who would have to stretch a bit to get much over 5 ft tall. Not antisocial by a long shot but fairly quiet and keeps to herself. For her retirement ceremony she had a certain amount of seats she could fill in a small on-base multi-denominational chapel and it happened to be that our little circle of friends was invited. We found out when we got there that one of the things they do during this ceremony is to take a person from the base that is one of each of the ranks that the retiree has achieved over the years and those people are all lined up and the flag is passed from the entry door to the next to the next to the next and so on naming off each of the positions until it gets to the person the ceremony is for. We all knew her as Marie. Turns out everybody on base knew her as something somewhat more important than we realized. There were 10 people in that line. She was Navy COMMANDER Marie!!! We all found out that day that what we thought was just our little friend Marie was a FRONTLINE COMBAT TRIAGE NURSE with two tours of duty in ACTIVE WARFRONT and had something like 24 or 28 years of service under her belt. The point to all this is that I want to acknowledge all of our military personnel of every branch and give you a HEARTFELT THANK YOU. I have no military experience of any kind and I want you to know that I acknowledge the rewards and the sacrifices that you've all been through so I can sit here and write this all out without having any fear. Enjoy the time you have with your friends and family. Enjoy your Veterans Day. Enjoy all your days. 5 2 1 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,093 #3 Posted November 11, 2020 Thanks to all who have served and those who supported them on the home front. When a person enters the military it impacts their entire family and circle of friends. A couple years back I was at the airport awaiting my wife's return from a trip. A rather large group of people were standing near the arrivals gate and every time a uniformed member of the military came by they applauded and cheered, it was heartwarming. I fear that the "Cancel Culture" movement that seems to be catching on may bring an end to these signs of respect for people who are willing to enter the military. Thank you to all who respect our country and those who are willing defend it. 3 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,800 #4 Posted November 11, 2020 “And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free...” Thank you to all, who have and are currently serving this country! I am thankful for the local militia, the police and emergency services, our land, air and water military personnel and all who actively keep this country secure and free! Like EB, I too have no military background, but have family and friends in the ranks, among my youngest 17 year old brother in-law who recently enlisted in the marines, shipping out just after graduation to boot camp. I am thankful for y’all’s service, no matter the badge! 4 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,791 #5 Posted November 11, 2020 (edited) Thank you to all fellow veterans, especially any sub vets. I think of you "lifers" often when Uncle Sam deposits my Navy retirement check every month! I would also encourage you to support your local VFW, American Legion and all the fine clubs that support our veterans. Edited November 11, 2020 by WHX24 4 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SALTYWRIGHT 859 #6 Posted November 11, 2020 I SERVED 1951 TO 1953 U.S. ARMY 2 3 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylyon-(Admin) 7,269 #7 Posted November 11, 2020 Thank you to all of our veterans, both here and abroad! 4 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,696 #8 Posted November 11, 2020 Since thanks to all our veterans, may our good Lord send special graces to you. 2 3 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldlineman 1,481 #9 Posted November 11, 2020 More debt than we can ever repay! 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cafoose 3,354 #10 Posted November 12, 2020 My Grandpa Foose WWI US Army 2 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daddy Don 905 #11 Posted November 12, 2020 I was drafted in 1968 went in the Air Force. After boot camp I was trained on the F100 super saber. Sent to Vietnam retrained to the F-4 Phantom. I was a Crew Chief. Loved the service and all the friends I made. Lost a lot of good friends while there. They gave all. I would do it again if I could. I am 72years young. Still in contact with a lot of the men and women I got to know. My service years was from 1968-1972. I give all of my thoughts to the people we lost and also all the ones that came home. Have a great day and be proud of what we did. Best of all remember the ones that did not make it home. God bless all and the United States of America. Love to all Daddy Don 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites