Happy Veteran's Day ...

[BillyMac]

“America's veterans have served their country with the belief that democracy and freedom are ideals to be upheld around the world.” (John Doolittle)

[Rob1968]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

“America's veterans have served their country with the belief that democracy and freedom are ideals to be upheld around the world.” (John Doolittle)

As a Vet, thanks. As the son of a WW2 Vet, thanks. My dad, 93 years old, will be honored at half-time, at an NBA game, tonight. He flew 35 bomber missions, received 2 Purple Hearts, (the 3rd was earned, but they sent him stateside before they could give it to him).
We're quickly losing the few remaining WW2 Vets that are still living, and should be very thankful for their, and their fellow servicemenbers contributions to our freedom and liberty.

[JugglingReferee]

Happy Remembrance Day, fellow Canadians! Lest we forget.

Roughly 2.5 trillion minutes of life have been lost due to the sacrifices of over 110,000 Canadians in just WW1 and WW2. 2 minutes of complete silence and non-activity is the least we can do.

Terry Kelly - A Pittance of Time (Official Version) - YouTube

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by Rob1968

As a Vet, thanks. As the son of a WW2 Vet, thanks. My dad, 93 years old, will be honored at half-time, at an NBA game, tonight. He flew 35 bomber missions, received 2 Purple Hearts, (the 3rd was earned, but they sent him stateside before they could give it to him).
We're quickly losing the few remaining WW2 Vets that are still living, and should be very thankful for their, and their fellow servicemenbers contributions to our freedom and liberty.

Great story Rob! Enjoy the time with your dad.

As a vet who also has a dad and grandfather who served, it is indeed a special day. Unfortunately, my dad, who is also a WWII vet, is not doing so well. I will cherish our remaining time together!

[johnny d]

Yes, thanks to any of you guys who have served. Have either of you guys that mentioned they have fathers that are WWII vets looked into trying to get them on one of those honor flight trips to Washington? Everything I have seen or read about that program suggests it is a really awesome thing to participate in.

[Mark Padgett]

Although I am not a vet (I flunked the physical due to a migraine condition - not kidding), my niece is married to a Staff Sergeant who works for Army Intelligence (no jokes please). He's been all over the mid-East and his main duty is teaching other soldiers how to disarm land mines (again - not kidding).

A few years ago, I held a fund-raising event to get money to restore his car (new transmission, etc.) while he was overseas. He didn't know anything about it until he came home and he was really surprised. It was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

THANK YOU VETS!

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by johnny d

Have either of you guys that mentioned they have fathers that are WWII vets looked into trying to get them on one of those honor flight trips to Washington? Everything I have seen or read about that program suggests it is a really awesome thing to participate in.

I live locally to the DC area, so no, I haven't looked into the "Honor Flights." But, we see the WWII vets come in on those flights sometimes on the news. Looks like a great experience for all involved.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Rob1968

We're quickly losing the few remaining WW2 Vets that are still living, and should be very thankful for their, and their fellow servicemenbers contributions to our freedom and liberty.

My Dad, now deceased, served as a Staff Sergeant, in the United States Army, during World War II. He served two years overseas in Africa, and Italy. His unit fought an "infantryman's war", small unit actions waged over some of Europe's most difficult terrain under some of the worst weather conditions found anywhere during World War II. He eventually received a medal for his participation in the Battle of Rome Arno.

Funny thing is that I didn't know about any of this until just a few years ago. When I was a kid, whenever my Dad talked about the war, he talked about how he was a paymaster because he could type, how his "barracks" was a hotel in Rome, how he had an audience with the Pope, and how he had access to his captain's staff car when the captain wasn't using it. I always thought that he carried a typewriter instead of a M1 carbine.

He never talked about the "real" war until my son had to interview a WWII veteran for his high school history project. Then I finally discovered what a real hero my Dad was. WWII vets didn't brag, they fought not for fame, and recognition, but because it was the right thing to do. They just did the job that was put before them. That's why they're the "Greatest Generation".

God bless Dad. Happy Veteran's Day.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

WWII vets didn't brag, they fought not for fame, and recognition, but because it was the right thing to do. They just did the job that was put before them. That's why they're the "Greatest Generation".

+infinity