[steven]

I know its a little bit early to post this but what the hell- here goes. Wednesday is Veterans Day as we all know in the U.S. From one old veteran to another young veteran(Southbound). I salute you on this coming day because if it weren"t for guys like you we would not enjoy the many freedoms we take for granted. Again,Charlie,I salute you for the sacrifice you gave for your country. Have a good one buddy.

[Southbound]

Wow Steven thanks alot - I feel that I just carried on in the fine tradition that was given to me by my fellow soldiers.

I may have been wounded during the service to my country but I feel that my actions have helped to preserve the freedoms and way of life that all Americans enjoy. If I have made the world a safer place by dealing with the bad guys over there before they could do anyone else harm then it was truely worth it.



Charlie

[steven]

Southbound, on 06 November 2009 - 04:41 PM, said:

Wow Steven thanks alot - I feel that I just carried on in the fine tradition that was given to me by my fellow soldiers.

I may have been wounded during the service to my country but I feel that my actions have helped to preserve the freedoms and way of life that all Americans enjoy. If I have made the world a safer place by dealing with the bad guys over there before they could do anyone else harm then it was truely worth it.



Charlie

No thanks are needed Charlie. You and many young G.I."s have given their life and limb to preserve what this country has today. I may be old and yes I was spit upon when I came back to the U.S. during the Nam so called war but I knew in my heart I was was only doing one thing---serving my country and thats all that counts in my book. Will be thinking about you Weds.

[Southbound]

You know that is one thing that bothered me too ... that your coming home was viewed with such distaste by the American people. I have an uncle who served in Vietnam and when he came home in '73 I was so proud of him. I remember that I wanted to wear his drees green cap and spent the day marching around and saluting everyone (I was only 8 at the time).

But I was wounded and when I arrived back in Tucson after spending about 3 months in Germany and Ft Bragg getting medical treatment, there was no one, no protesters, no parade, nothing. I really felt cheated in that regard.


To all veterans everywhere ... HAPPY VETERANS DAY!!!!



Charlie

[David]

Southbound, on 06 November 2009 - 05:07 PM, said:

To all veterans everywhere ... HAPPY VETERANS DAY!!!!



Charlie

Here! Here! Too all Veterans from all the wars from all the years! Happy Veterans day!

Try to keep in mind it's never the soldier that has the issue it's always a government. Soldiers are people like you and me that get sucked into a bad situation.

I would like to know if and when other countries have a national holiday for Veterans.

[steven]

Southbound, on 06 November 2009 - 05:07 PM, said:

You know that is one thing that bothered me too ... that your coming home was viewed with such distaste by the American people. I have an uncle who served in Vietnam and when he came home in '73 I was so proud of him. I remember that I wanted to wear his drees green cap and spent the day marching around and saluting everyone (I was only 8 at the time).

But I was wounded and when I arrived back in Tucson after spending about 3 months in Germany and Ft Bragg getting medical treatment, there was no one, no protesters, no parade, nothing. I really felt cheated in that regard.


To all veterans everywhere ... HAPPY VETERANS DAY!!!!



Charlie

No need to feel cheated,believe me. I will give you 2 experiences I had over in Nam being in the Air Force. I don"t dream about them anymore but still remember them fro time to time. This is not for the faint at heart people on this forum and I"m sure you have had many more episodes in Iraq or Afgan. When I was in Nam,I was eating in a restaurant with 2 other vets. when an old mamason started to come in. She was grabbed by 2 marines(thank god) for whatever reason. She was carrying a bomb. They took her outside of Saigon and stripped her naked. Put a grenade up you know where tied to to the pin. Pulled the pin and goodbye mamason. Still remember that till this day. Next experience--Flying from Saigon to another base with top secret documents and flying over in a chopper of farm land. The Army guy manning the 50 caliber decided to have some fun and decided to open up and kill the farmers in the field. Does this bother me? You damn right it does but to me--war is war. It may be war,but no sense in killing innocent people. Maybe Southbound can relate to this.

[steven]

David, on 06 November 2009 - 05:32 PM, said:

Here! Here! Too all Veterans from all the wars from all the years! Happy Veterans day!

Try to keep in mind it's never the soldier that has the issue it's always a government. Soldiers are people like you and me that get sucked into a bad situation.

I would like to know if and when other countries have a national holiday for Veterans.

Am I missing something here? Today, in this day in age,there is no draft. So how is the soldier being sucked into a bad situation? Men&women choose to go into the military now and not being drafted. These are the people I give credit to for what they believe in. Think about that the next time you walk down the N.Y. or N.J. streets and grab a slice of pizza for lunch. Somehow I knew you"d come up with some negative reply.

[Southbound]

Here are some other countries that also observe thier own veterans days on November 11 ...


King’s Birthday is a public holiday in Bhutan.

The Kingdom of Bhutan is somewhat unique in that its people function on the premise of Gross National Happiness (GNH). GNH encourages material and spiritual development to complement and reinforce each other. Bhutan’s national holidays are no exception to the principles of GNH, and this certainly includes the birthdays of the Kings of Bhutan past and present.

History of Bhutan King’s Day
There have been five kings in Bhutan since 1907, and there is a birthday celebration for most of them. November 11 marks the birthday of the fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

King Wangchuck was born at the Dechhencholing Palace in Thimphu on November 11, 1955. In 1972, he took the throne at the age of 17 due to the early death of his father, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who suffered from a series of heart conditions.

The new king would follow in his father’s footsteps, attempting to bring about slow but positive democratic change to the people of Bhutan. He was responsible for creating the term “Gross National Happiness”, and he used its principles to guide his decisions. In 2008, he abdicated the throne to his son Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

The Bhutan people still celebrate the fourth King of Bhutan and his accomplishments on this day.

Bhutan King’s Day Traditions, Customs and Activities
While three days of celebration are dedicated to the reigning king, one day is given to former kings. Events are usually very lively with many of the local schools organizing huge festivals and parades on and near school grounds.

As the government mandates that citizens wear traditional clothing every day, clothing styles don’t differ much during the festivities. And since the country is predominately Buddhist, many of the ceremonies are dominated by Buddhist themes and activities. During the festivities, look for the traditional emadatse (a stew made from chili pepper and cheese), chang (a local beer), or arra (a distilled spirit).

Canada Observes Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day Date: November 11, 2009
Remembrance Day is a public holiday in Canada.

On Monday, November 11, 1918, at the hour of 11 A.M., World War I officially came to an end with the formalization of the armistice treaty between the Allies and Germany. All told, over 15 million people were killed in the brutal conflict leaving lasting impressions on much of the world’s population.

France Observes Armistice Day


Armistice Day Date: November 11, 2009
Armistice Day is a public holiday in France.

The French—like so many other people around the globe—were affected by the events of World War I. It wasn’t until November 11, 1918, at the hour of 11 A.M., that the war officially came to an end. All told, over 15 million people were killed in the brutal conflict, nearly 1.7 million of them French.

Myanmar Remembers Its Independence on National Day


National Day Date: November 11, 2009
National Day is a public holiday in Myanmar.

As National Days go, they often celebrate independence of a region or country from harsh political or military rule. Often the history of the National Day involves a deposed leader, an expelled governing body, or the start of a revolution. In most cases, a new government is installed, a new constitution ratified, or genuine change is enacted. However, there are rare cases when the celebration comes full circle and turns into a call for new revolution. National Day in the Union of Myanmar typifies this very well.

http://aglobalworld....ag/november-11/

Charlie

[Southbound]

another thing I do on Veterans day is read from my grandfather's WWII diary that he kept of his time in Itally and Germany. From the beaches of Anzio to the City Hall in Nurnburg ...


Charlie

[steven]

Southbound, on 06 November 2009 - 06:03 PM, said:

another thing I do on Veterans day is read from my grandfather's WWII diary that he kept of his time in Itally and Germany. From the beaches of Anzio to the City Hall in Nurnburg ...


Charlie

Care to share?

[Kimberley G]

¡salud!

On Veteran's Day, I call my family members who have served and tell them thanks for being patriots. This will be the first year that my Uncle Joe is gone. He was a Korean War vet. He'd retired to Colorado but spent lots of time traveling the world in search of nirvana (so to speak). He loved Colorado because he felt a kinship with the American Indians. When he was diagnosed with end stage cancer last year, he did what all good Warriors do. He went to his special place by the lake and "went home". I am so thankful that the last conversation I had with him was on Veteran's Day and me saying Thanks.

As for this Veteran's Day, we'll be sending a pkg off to daughter's fiance who is headed to Afghanistan in December (already active duty and gone from home)... and emailing my cousin's hub Army 1st ID who will be returning from Afghanistan in December, thanking my bro-in-law (Army, PhD who specializes in PTSD counseling) who is back from Iraq and now works for the VA... and my pop (USAF) who is old and won't be around much longer, and my son, an USAF Ops fellow. And I have behind me right now my Uncle Sinclair's folded flagt (WWII) and a jar of sand my son brought to me from Omaha Beach last summer when he visited the place Uncle Clifton landed on D-Day before being captured and then rescued by the French Underground (I have the German luger with swastika that he brought home). I've got my Uncle T's POW-MIA ball cap -- he was a gunner in Nam with 3 tours completed before retiring to Florida (RIP 2008 as well) We keep these things to remember... just like my friend Eva (RIP 2008) kept her number on her left forearm so that she would never forget.

I'm a crazy patriot who is mad as hell about the direction our country is headed but know that as for today -- it's still the greatest country on earth.

Anywho.... Charlie, Steven, David et al... THANK YOU!

[Kimberley G]

AND.... I am so glad that you folks indulge my wordiness...

I am part of a group who is putting holiday wreaths on the 2200 graves at our National Cemetery. Our first meeting is on Veteran's Day. As soon as the ceremony ends, we'll start planning our wreath activity.

[steven]

Kimberley G, on 06 November 2009 - 07:03 PM, said:

¡salud!

On Veteran's Day, I call my family members who have served and tell them thanks for being patriots. This will be the first year that my Uncle Joe is gone. He was a Korean War vet. He'd retired to Colorado but spent lots of time traveling the world in search of nirvana (so to speak). He loved Colorado because he felt a kinship with the American Indians. When he was diagnosed with end stage cancer last year, he did what all good Warriors do. He went to his special place by the lake and "went home". I am so thankful that the last conversation I had with him was on Veteran's Day and me saying Thanks.

As for this Veteran's Day, we'll be sending a pkg off to daughter's fiance who is headed to Afghanistan in December (already active duty and gone from home)... and emailing my cousin's hub Army 1st ID who will be returning from Afghanistan in December, thanking my bro-in-law (Army, PhD who specializes in PTSD counseling) who is back from Iraq and now works for the VA... and my pop (USAF) who is old and won't be around much longer, and my son, an USAF Ops fellow. And I have behind me right now my Uncle Sinclair's folded flagt (WWII) and a jar of sand my son brought to me from Omaha Beach last summer when he visited the place Uncle Clifton landed on D-Day before being captured and then rescued by the French Underground (I have the German luger with swastika that he brought home). I've got my Uncle T's POW-MIA ball cap -- he was a gunner in Nam with 3 tours completed before retiring to Florida (RIP 2008 as well) We keep these things to remember... just like my friend Eva (RIP 2008) kept her number on her left forearm so that she would never forget.

I'm a crazy patriot who is mad as hell about the direction our country is headed but know that as for today -- it's still the greatest country on earth.

Anywho.... Charlie, Steven, David et al... THANK YOU!

Kimberly G.--all I can say is, what a lovely lady you are.

[David]

steven, on 06 November 2009 - 05:57 PM, said:

Am I missing something here? Today, in this day in age,there is no draft. So how is the soldier being sucked into a bad situation? Men&women choose to go into the military now and not being drafted. These are the people I give credit to for what they believe in. Think about that the next time you walk down the N.Y. or N.J. streets and grab a slice of pizza for lunch. Somehow I knew you"d come up with some negative reply.

Steven,

While I don't fully understand you at times I'll reply and see where it leads. Many of the enlisted personal enlist cause they are poor and want jobs. Many others were in the reserves and didn't think they would be pulled into a false war. Lets face it this is not an all out war effort like in either one of the world wars.

Personally I didn't think my reply was negative in any way other then bashing a few politicians.

My father "Joined" the Marines back in WWII but I still feel he was "sucked in" as I fully think that "Pearl harbor was a set up designed to pull the US into the war in the first place.

But this is supposed to be about the VETS! Not political crapola.

David

[steven]

David, on 06 November 2009 - 07:21 PM, said:

Steven,

While I don't fully understand you at times I'll reply and see where it leads. Many of the enlisted personal enlist cause they are poor and want jobs. Many others were in the reserves and didn't think they would be pulled into a false war. Lets face it this is not an all out war effort like in either one of the world wars.

Personally I didn't think my reply was negative in any way other then bashing a few politicians.

My father "Joined" the Marines back in WWII but I still feel he was "sucked in" as I fully think that "Pearl harbor was a set up designed to pull the US into the war in the first place.

But this is supposed to be about the VETS! Not political crapola.

David

First of all,you aren"t suppose to understand me at all times. Thats what keeps everybody guessing. 2nd.--I wasn"t poor when I enlisted in the Air Force. Yes,many of these guys are poor and looking for a meal ticket. Can you blame them? But once they get into the stream of things and they get brainwashed by the service they joined;they are fighting for our country regardless of weather they are poor or not. Personally I don"t think your father was "sucked in". He joined because in his mind he thought at the time it was the right thing to do.

[steven]

steven, on 06 November 2009 - 07:33 PM, said:

First of all,you aren"t suppose to understand me at all times. Thats what keeps everybody guessing. 2nd.--I wasn"t poor when I enlisted in the Air Force. Yes,many of these guys are poor and looking for a meal ticket. Can you blame them? But once they get into the stream of things and they get brainwashed by the service they joined;they are fighting for our country regardless of weather they are poor or not. Personally I don"t think your father was "sucked in". He joined because in his mind he thought at the time it was the right thing to do.

First of all,this thread has gotten way out of line. It was intended for Southbond only but yet David decides to throw politics into it. Politics is not the issue here on weather or not someone was "sucked in". Our guys and girls are giving their lives so we all can enjoy our freedoms as they exist. So please keep your politics to rest for the time being. Enough said,and everybody have a very nice day!

[08087]

steven, on 06 November 2009 - 08:44 PM, said:

First of all,this thread has gotten way out of line. It was intended for Southbond only but yet David decides to throw politics into it. Politics is not the issue here on weather or not someone was "sucked in". Our guys and girls are giving their lives so we all can enjoy our freedoms as they exist. So please keep your politics to rest for the time being. Enough said,and everybody have a very nice day!

Quote

But this is supposed to be about the VETS! Not political crapola.

David

Steve you seem all over the place in your comments. david said what you said before you so why repeat it? Political propaganda is designed to have a certain effect on a person. In WWII it was meant to rally the American people to back the war effort. In many cases it worked as David has pointed out with his father as an example.

As for intending a thread for "Southbound" only maybe you should have sent him a PM as this is a public forum and I'm not sure how you can exclude the moderator and at the same time express admiration for Kim.

[steven]

08087, on 06 November 2009 - 08:56 PM, said:

Steve you seem all over the place in your comments. david said what you said before you so why repeat it? Political propaganda is designed to have a certain effect on a person. In WWII it was meant to rally the American people to back the war effort. In many cases it worked as David has pointed out with his father as an example.

As for intending a thread for "Southbound" only maybe you should have sent him a PM as this is a public forum and I'm not sure how you can exclude the moderator and at the same time express admiration for Kim.

OK,point taken.

[steven]

steven, on 06 November 2009 - 08:59 PM, said:

OK,point taken.

But to add this point; I thought Southbound should be recognized on this open forum for the service he has done. Maybe you have never served,so you wouldn"t know what is going on here.

[08087]

I agree that Southbound should be recognized along with you and any other Vet. But you made the statement it was for "SB" only.

No biggie, and don't want to turn the forums into a place to knock one another. I'll stand down now after saluting all those past and present that have served!

Thank you!