As many of you know I’m a veteran of the Vietnam War, the son of a WWII and Korean War veteran. To me Veterans Day is a special day because all veterans gave so much of their lives to the service of this country. Many of us older guys didn’t sign up , but were drafted, myself included. Others like my Dad joined when it seemed the US was about to get into WWII. All served and earned our respect.
Many veterans are injured either physically or emotionally or by some illness brought on by (in my case) Agent Orange. We all carry memories that we wish we never had to.
The veterans of these last few Wars are all volunteers and that makes them all the more special, in my mind. I respect the younger veterans for they stood tall and volunteered.
The other day I was in a local store getting a sandwich and there was a young guy there also. I asked him if he was a student at Norwich and his answer was that he was now after having served in Afghanistan. I told him how much I respected him and the others because they were in a different kind of war than I was. He said”we feel the same way about you guys”.
I just want people to remember vets today. Tell a vet thanks. Be nice to a vet.
I am against war but not against our military people who serve our country.
My granddaughter and grandson are in a Veterans Day parade today. She is in the marching band and he will carry the state flag. They make me proud.
I am not often emotional unless it is about my family. But one of my wounds from Vietnam is memory. My memories do make me emotional on a few occasions. Veterans Day brings a flood of memories to my mind. At the parade I welled up with pride, my grandson carried the State flag and my granddaughter played the sax in the school band.
After the parade the bands played more and speakers spoke. Then two buglers one near and one far away on the steps of the library played Taps. One echoed the other and tears rolled down my cheeks. That song always has this effect on me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFubhsfwp_c
Nirek, I was out earlier, so I’m sorry I’m so late to comment on your post. Thank you, monica, KT and all our other Planetary vets so very much for all you’ve given for our country! Thanks really seems like too small a word.
Right now on PBS, there’s a program on (focusing especially on the Navy SEALS) that has a big focus on the Vietnam era. I really hope you get a chance to watch it. Some of the stories they’re telling are just jaw dropping (including one in which only 4 SEALS held off 300 Viet Cong soldiers until support could be brought in). Incredible.
There are probably enough stories to make many movies and fill a library of books among vets living today. I’m so glad you’ve shared yours here. And I hope many other vets will do the same.
As you’ve said in another post — we need to preserve history and teach it well.
Kes, you never have to apologize for being late. We all have lives we are living and are busy doing other things. Some times I am off doing something when a comment is made to me.
Kes, you are such a good person and I respect you and your opinion so much, it’s worth waiting for.
Peace
Thanks to you Kes. Many on this site remember veterans throughout the year, not just on 11/11. That is one of the things I like about being a member here. A friend of mine, one that I have remained in contact with since the time of my service reads the site, but because he is paralyzed on one side of his body can no longer type at a speed that he feels he needs to to participate, he often comments on how those who participate here appear to honor the vet more than others he has encountered on other sites.
Here’s to you great VETS. Live:http://www.theconcertforvalor.com/
Hello Nirek.
To you and all who served, and those who gave their lives, a huge feeling of gratitude for all that you had to endure. Thank you for your service. The very least any country can do is to show respect and take care of its wounded and hurting soldiers. If you send people off to fight a war for you, it’s that government’s duty to care for them and offer help unconditionally for the rest of their lives after they come home.
Peace.
Kalima, this is one of many reasons I love the Planet. You and AdLib and the other founders have kept this place not only civil, but respectful.
Thank you
Peace
Nirek, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, thanks and enormous gratitude for your service on behalf of the nation. Props and great respect to all those who have and are serving (I have two nephews who have been and remain in the service so special props to them!).
Ad, the vets are special people. Regular people are special in their own way and I respect those who choose not to serve in the military. I didn’t want to myself. But the vets deserve better than they are getting from the congress. The GOP has blocked any help for the very people who they sent into harms way! I better get off my soap box.
Nirek, I’d go a little further. Many of those who have served have literally risked their own lives for the rest of us. I see that as deserving a special bit more respect than folks who may work for worthy causes but not at the risk of being harmed or killed. And it’s a full time commitment of years of one’s life, that too is invaluable and remarkable and should be respected as such.
Cheers!
Happy Veterans Day to all my fellow Vets!!!! Remember those of us that are suffering, stay vigilant where veterans health and the V.A. hospitals are concerned, pray for the Vets that are committing suicide, 22 a day in 2010, and probably more today. Pray for the families of veterans that are just returning home from war and the families of those who still have members of their family on the battle field or are about to go to the battlefields in Afghanistan and Iraq and wherever else we have our military scattered these days. Pray for Peace, this is what most of us who are Veterans truly want. Thank you.
Monica, thank you. I intended to say all those things and just rushed with the piece. I thought more could be said in the comments and it is happening. You have a way with words. Peace is indeed what we veterans pray for.
Ex, thank you for all you do for my fellow veterans.
Hugs to you from this old man.
Peace.
It’s OUR duty and privilege to honor you all!THANK YOU, SIR!My 5 vets loved their dinner today.Got them lobster with baby spinach salad (organic, I am a health nut, with two sides. Fried rice and croissants. And a great mini bottle of Beaujolais.My husband was worried I would go to jail.LOL.FYI, my grandfather was imprisoned (for 9 months )by the Germans on WWI.He ate rats etc…that’s the reason I always lavish my guys with a super meal on this great day! Worth EVERY dollar I spent.Cheers, Nirek.(lobster NOT from China but from Fresh Market.:)
Ex, your 5 lucky guys are very lucky to have you. Thank you for treating them nicely !
I want to make sure I am hugging all our vets and heroes who gave their lives for the sake of us all. I will be volunteering later on, to feed and SERVE them at a local org.Especially, I have cooked a delicious meal, a special one, to feed, as I daily do , 5 Nam vets who were left on their own! And are homeless! Today is YOUR GUYS day and I am honored to have vet friends here.xoxo,Nirek.To you and all those who serve or are serving…And a special hug to those with PTSD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES.Me.