Veterans Day

“It's late in the day but if you get the chance call or go see a Veteran and say thanks.It is because of them that we can live and enjoy the great outdoors.I've made my call and someone called me it feels good”

“I love to re-tell my father's WWII stories on days like to day when other people are sharing.

Go make a call or better yet pay a visit. :)”

“I know there are quite a few TT'rs who have served. Thanks for putting your butts on the line for us.”

“I would like to say tahnks to all the veterans out there on TT on this Veterans Day. Thanks for serving your country. I certainly appreciate it!”

“Same here. From one veteran to all the others. Thanks for serving.”

“Thanks for all the service and sacrifice.

Anyone watching the network premiere of Saving Private Ryan? I'm glad they aren't editing it for the presentation. I doubt I'll watch it. I've seen it several times and tend to get a bit emotional. I think I cried when I saw it in the theatre.”

“Veterans, where would we be without them. What an unpleasant thought. Thanks to all the veterans, those who did not make it back and those that did. I may be a Kennedy liberal on most issues, but I think liberals and conservatives can both agree that we owe everything this country is and can be to our veterans. One huge hug to you all!!!!!!!!”

“I would like to know why my boss is at work? Everyone has off so I thought I would come in late. Get in at 1015 and walk right into my boss.

Damn it! Me, my boss and my co-worker, the other few hundred aren't here!

Oh yeah, thanks vets.
last edited: 11/11/04 9:26:58 AM”

“Just got back from our community observance. We had about 100 people turn out.

Amen to what AJ said. Despite differing political views, we are all Americans. And those fighting today in Iraq are our people. A salute to all the men and women currently serving from this vet.”

“...and thanks from this one.”

“During WWII, my Flemish father prayed the rosary with his family in their root cellar as German soldiers searched their house.

It was American soldiers who eventually freed my family. They gave my dad a Coke.

Thank God for the work of American servicemen and those of good countries everywhere.”

“Birmingham, AL has the largest Veterans Day parade in the country. Sadly, it's raining today.”

“Birmingham? Really?
I might have to check that out. Sadly, I've had to work the last few Vets days. I will be requesting them off in the future.”

“To all the brave men of Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st PIR, 101st Divison,

Thanks.”

“Yes, that's what they always say on the news.

chili, who's unit is that. Phil's uncle by chance?”

“No, my brother was in second platoon, D 2/501 when he was KIA, RSVN, 15 JUN 68”

“I had no idea. I'm sorry. Thanks to chili's brother then.”

“A Salute to all veterans, from this one. It doesn't matter if your liberal, conservative or young, old. We all owe a huge thanks to all the veterans, because you answered the call so that we may be free to hike or disagree with each other. Thank a vet today. I did!”

“Now that we've thanked each other all around, it's time to belly up and order drinks!”

“Definitely want to get my thanks in to all you veterans as well!! Went to a small observance on campus on Tuesday. Some nice words were said.

Chili - sorry to hear about your brother.

I got to spend 5 days in the Netherlands in September honoring the 60th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden in WWII. Met lots of veterans as well as Dutch people who were occupied during the war, including some Dutch resistance. We too easily forget how fragile freedom is and the price others have paid to preserve it. The Dutch people still remember and thank the Americans for liberating them.

One poignant event was the ceremony at the Waalcrossing Memorial. In the Netherlands they have an interesting custom. Local schools "adopt" WWII memorial sites. They take care of them and assist with memorial ceremonies. For the ceremony one little girl named Jip represented her school and read a poem she wrote about the Waalcrossing (famous WWII battle). She read her poem in Dutch and English. Her teacher sent me the words:

"When I sit in the car
and we drive across the Waalbridge
I cannot imagine what has happened in World War II
Sometimes I see soldiers fight, shoot and die
They fall dead, as if they were nothing
Do they have a name, children, beloved?
Who are these men?
They had the same rights to live as the men present
But then in times past
In past times much has happened
A child now born never has known his granddad
That is crazy, that is weird, that really isn’t right!
Tears fall and the clouds join"

Jip”

“I hope to visit Normandy one day. I was probably in the 6th or 7th grade the first time I read a book about D-Day. I still kick myself for not making it to the D-Day museum August '03. I thought I had a trip there the following year and it didn't work out. NO is only 6 hours from here. I'll make it sometime in the not too distant future.”

“That's a touching poem, especially from a little girl 3 generations removed from that war.
Pass on my thanks if it is possible.
Brian”

“Thanks vets!

I interviewed one vet of Iwo Jima (saw the Enola Gay as it passed back through on a refueling stop. He had been in an advance force to set up air strips and then serve as a mechanic for the B-29) and another who was in Italy in WW II. He flew 35 sorties in a B-24 as the bombardier. He got many medals. He had a sick stomach the day their plane was shot down and a person was taken prisoner of war. Anti-aircraft casing hit his face in another instance and a shot blew off his earflap. He said he would have gotten the Purple Heart, but quit bleeding before he hit the ground, so it was moot.

Very interesting stories. If they get them up on our website, I'll post a link. Much thanks to them and all vets!!”

“To all the people I used to know....”

“Last summer, I visited the grave of Sgt. Alvin C. York, at Pall Mall, TN, (shown below). In respect I came to attention and saluted, holding it for about 60 seconds.
”

“Thanks Vets!”

“Thank you.”

“I can't believe the day went by with no one here wishing the vets a happy Vet's Day. Wait, yeah I can.

Thanks to all that served in peace and in war.”

“2nd of the 75th Ranger Batallion Fort Lewis Washington..............I love my country.”

“Thank you and you're welcome.

It seems strange how my thoughts about serving have come around 180-degrees. Now days I feel proud of my military service. But I feel much better about my contributions as a civilian. Some early contributions may have contributed directly to saving many members of our military in Asia. And, looking forward, many more may be aided because of my efforts toward "Star Wars." I hope that my years of lonely work off the coasts of Siberia help and contribute to guide and secure our county and it's citizens in the future years. Then, again, perhaps it was all for nothing. But, I did serve and on wonderful days like today, I can hold my head high. God bless you, all who have served in any way, and all others of the human race.
last edited: 11/10/06 5:13:22 PM”

“refr - What years?”

“Many thanks to you veterans out there!!! Your sacrifices are greatly appreciated. Also, Happy Birthday to you Marines!”

“1955-1989.”

“1977-78 and still second to know one..........”

“USNS OBSERVATION ISLAND (T-AGM 23)

COBRA JUDY (U)”

“Well, it was 10 years later but I did some training w/ your boys refrigerator. Happy Veterans Day.”

“1963 - 1992. Too many units to count.”

“Thank You.”

“[b]Once again a heartfelt thanks to all the Veterans. I'm a Vietnam era vet, but everyone should thank and talk to a WWII vet soon, they are passing faster than ever.

US Army 1971-1973 Handlebar”

“1985-1992,
my greatest honor and contribution to the REAL Navy was directing a Navy Blood Bank and providing medical care to vets, sailors , marines and their families. I salute all the Vets, today, the real Vets day.
last edited: 11/11/06 10:25:17 AM”

“It has been my honor to serve my country, and thank you to all the others who have served.”

“A heart felt thank you to all who served!”

“I just received this email and thought it was worth sharing:

Thought for this solemn Veterans Day:
In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the anti-American
sentiment and negativity, we should remember England 's Prime
Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked by
one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he
said:

"A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many
want in... And how many want out." Only two defining forces have
ever offered to die for you:

1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.

One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.”