Happy Veteran's Day, Brothers and Sisters...

I join in the salute. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for your service.

There simply aren't enough words or strong enough words to show our appreciation for those of you whom have made incredible sacrifices out of love for and devotion to this country. You fought to defend our freedom and have done far more than swear your allegiance; you have literally put your lives on the line. Many have given their lives or suffered in untold ways, so that we could live soundly and safely in our homes. We will never forget what you have done for us; we honor you now and always.  Thank you!

I never realised you commemorated today Hans. Over here we call it Armistace day, or more commonly Remembarance day and we wear a red poppy.

But whatever you call it:

A salute back at you from across the pond.

Hans ................right on

Hans, I couldn't have said it better myself

HI Carl, it's been a while

Thanks to all those who served and are serving. You all make me proud to be an American.

It seems a little awkward with the "happy" part, but just a quick thanks to all that served. You're service and sacrifices are not forgotten. Thank you.

Right back atcha, Hans! 

Amen Hans I am with Tiger in that I feel uncomfortable in using "Happy" with the occasion, but I agree wholeheartedly with the reason.

Bish, until WWII, it was also called Armistace Day here in the USA. After WWII the name was changed to recognize the new (and much larger) generation of veterans of WWII. We also have "Memorial Day", the last Monday in May, to honor our War Dead fallen for this country in all her wars.

Thanks stik. I knew you had another day earlier in the year. We now also have armed forces day which is in June. But that a very recent thing mainly to remember those currently serving.

Happy Veteran's Day and thanks to all who have served or are currently serving.

Bish-

A happy Rememberance Day to you! I hope we arrogant Americans never forget that you Brits held the line in WW2 until we got off our tushes, and you guys have been by our side for many years! Here is a poppy for your countries vets -->

I served with a Brit recently and it was very pleasant. I'm glad to see we still work together so well!

And a returned salute, Bish ... Or as a Digger friend of mine once typed it to me, "Chuckin' a bone at ya, Mate" (Hardly understood those guys for the first week I was with 'em... Aussie didn't translate to Texan too easy at first)..

...I am with Tiger in that I feel uncomfortable in using "Happy" with the occasion...

Absolutely no reason to feel uncomfortable about it.. "We Few, we Happy Few"...

I use "Happy" because I AM happy about having served, happy about being a Veteran, and wishing those comrades-in-arms, US and Allied,  who also answered when called, a happy one, glad that they too are alive and well in order to able to celebrate this day with other Brother and Sister Vets, and to still thank those that went ahead of us...  No matter what happens, no matter what befalls us, whatever that may be, that's ONE thing that no power on Earth can take away from us... Ever...  So.. Happy Veterans Day...

Oh yeah.. One other thing..

I definately didn't have a problem with Applebee's free chow for Vets tonite either (and that hottie that brought m' ribs out to me and said, "Happy Veterans Day, and Thank you for your Service, sir." to me)... Even had one gal gimme a big ol' hug when she thanked me, bless her heart...  Plus, I did NOTHING today as far as the Home Front went, as the Baroness von Hammer will attest... It was MY day here at Hammer Army Airfield... Happy about that, too..

Memorial Day, well, no... "Happy" would most assuredly be improper for that day, since that's the day, as you pointed out, that we, as a country, honor our war dead, and as individuals, morn them... That's a somber day for me and mine, one for reflection and rememberance of those that went before us and with us, who fell upon the field of battle, and are, sadly, Forever Young...   I hate Memorial Day's true purpose being upsurped with matress, BBQ grills, car sales and stuff like that...  It's like throwing a kegger at a funeral... But that's another thread in another forum... 

Memorial Day is for remembering those that didn't get back home...

Veterans' Day is OUR day... So I enjoy it to it's fullest.. We that came back from the Two-way Rifle Ranges around the world damn-sure earned it...  So no need to feel uncomfortable, Troop..

Charlie Mike...

GreenThumb

Thanks to all those who served and are serving. You all make me proud to be an American.

Thanks Hans and all my fellow Vets a big thanks as well!

Well said Hans....lest we forget

Thank you, Hans, and all my fellow vets!!    Proud to hang the flag today.

Ken

Bish

Thanks stik. I knew you had another day earlier in the year. We now also have armed forces day which is in June. But that a very recent thing mainly to remember those currently serving.

We too have Armed Forces Day, Bush...  Saturday, May 19th, 2012 is the next one.. It's always observed on the third Saturday in May, so as not to interfere with a duty day and allow as many GIs as possible to enjoy the day and actually get out and visit other units, learn what they do, etc... 

U.S. Military Posts also "open the gates" to the public (well, MOST of them), and we put on demonstrations of various mission-types, from an Infantry squad attacking and silencing a machinegun, to vertical insertions, with fast-roping and rappeling from helos, dust-offs, tanks and IFVs tearing hell outta the grass on the parade field while attack helos flyoverhead at 50 feet with all kinds of booms and bangs going on, and put aircraft and vehicles on display, a sort of "Open House" with a battle and small airshow thrown in for free... Plenty of pyro involved too, lol..

My favorite was always an NBC Recon demonstration, since I got to build and set off a nuke simulator (55 gallons of napalm, a WP grenade or trip-flare for ignition, and add a four pounds of C-4  under the drum for a "plunger" effect on the bottom of the drum and to ensure maximum expansion and height of a black mushroom-cloud)... 

It's Richard-Hardening...

Donald Raleigh Nichols. June 26, 1920 - February 14, 2011.

Enlisted 12/8/41, honorably discharged September 24, 1945.

Graduated USAAF Technical School Command, served as Crew Chief for three aircraft in the 414 Squadron, Night Fighters, 12th Air Force.

Two bronze stars and a Presidential Citation for the Squadron.

He was a valiant warrior and will be missed. A Full Military Honors service was given at his eventual inurnment site, with the ashes of his wife of 48 years, on November 4th.

His loving daughter Ms. Bondo.

When he ever is finally inurned in the niche is a question that only his son, my brother-in-law, can answer as he has the cremains in his hall in a briefcase.

agentg

Bish:

Thanks stik. I knew you had another day earlier in the year. We now also have armed forces day which is in June. But that a very recent thing mainly to remember those currently serving.

 

I find the "new" attitude toward  the armed forces quite refreshing. As a VN vet, albeit very late in the conflict, I saw first hand the negativity of that era.

We all (countries, people, etc.) seem to be rediscovering the fact that there's a reason we are free.

G

Persoanlly,  when it comes to the UK at least,i find it rather cynical. When theres no war in the headlines, we are ignored and forgotten. Then, all of a sudden, we are heroes. The public just like to jump on our backs and use us as a way to show how patriotic they are and to base the goverment. Prior to 2003, most people in the piblic couldn't give a monkeys. The exceptions being those with family in the forces, and those interested in all things military. 6 months to a year after pulling out of Afghan, it will be back to the good old days.

I often think of Kiplings Poem, Tommy Aitkins.

http://faxmentis.org/html/kipling.html

I feel its as relevant now as it was in 1889.

An' this Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet this Tommy sees!

As soon as I read the beginning of your last post Bish, I thought of that poem. Mr Kipling got it exactly right. I do love his work. When I first enlisted nearly 30 years ago, it was in a crossover point. In some areas of the country I could be in uniform and respected for serving. In others, while there was no open jeering, the looks said enough. The post Vietnam feelings still ran deep. It was not until the 1st Gulf War that it nationally became "cool" again to openly support the troops. There are plenty 'fair weather' patriots here too though. We are indeed two peoples seperated by a common language Bish.

Hans, I did much thinking on our post last night about " 'Happy' Veterans Day" and will have to approach it with a new outlook next year. Although I must admit to having a wonderful V Day with my family, the only time the day itself crossed my mind was when I was helping my neighbor put up his flag and he mentioned my veterans status.

How about that old Veterans GB here eh?

Stik , an "old veterans GB" sounds interesting ..................................how old would be old enough ?

There was one going on here a couple years back but it sort of fizzled. My HMMWV is at about 98.5% done. Just needs bumper codes and weathering. We can always start a new one though... 

Old enough is for anyone with a DD-214 or their foreign equivelant... (and those who still have their hides on the line)

Got one someplace ................havent seen it in a few . G.B. idea sounds good though Stik .

Is 77 old enough!? 

Ken

Stik, you say that it wasn't until the first Gulf War that it became cool to support the troops. Did that support stay in the years between than and 9/11. I think we are still playing catch up in the way we support the troops. I went on excersise to calf a few years back. On the way we had an over night stop, i don't recall where. I was standing outside the hotel in my uniform when an elderly lady walked past, tapped me on the shoulder, and thanked me for my service. I was stunned. She must of known i wasn't a US service man, and it just touched me that she would do that. Then on top of that, when we went to sea World san diego, we got in for free and during the killer whale show, that got all service men, US and Foreign, to stand up and they appaluded us. We ain't even close to that.

And i will be interested to see what happens after Afghan, and see how long the support lasts. At the end of the day, i really don't care what the rest think, there will always be some out there who supprot us no matter what, and we know who they are. The rest can go to hell.

kbuzz01

Is 77 old enough!? 

Ken

55th (+1) anniversary of your 21st B-day

Bish, very much agreed about your last line...

So do I take it we have folks here interested in doing a new Veterans Group Build?

Hoo-ah!  I would!