As some of my friends know, there was once a very, very special person outside of my Francesca life who was a Vietnam Vet. He mostly preferred not to talk about it but he did share a few of his experiences, including old, faded photo albums. Unimaginable and horrific. Perhaps the saddest one of all was when he returned. He attended his father's church in dress uniform. As he left the church after the service, a young member of the congregation--a girl--spit on him. To this day I can see the sadnesss and hurt in eyes when he told me that. That incident alone had a huge impact on his life.
I am truly grateful for the brave and courageous service men and women of our country. Thank you for your dedication, committment, and sacrifice. I respect and honor all those who have fought in wars but there is a special place in my heart for Vietnam Vets. I have visited the memorials in Washington DC as well as Angelfire, New Mexico. Words can't describe. Thank you for all you do and everything you are.Highly unlikely that I'd be able to take advantage, but for those who may....
First let me thank all those who have served our country with and offer a special debt of gratitude to those who suffered harm or change as a result of their service.
Now the question.... Are there any ladies offering any Veteran's Day specials on Monday?
There are so many that have given so much for so little in return. They get a day that most understand to be a holiday, day off. Let's make a point to recognize and thank those veterans we encounter tomorrow and every day.
I will throw out a special for those who are veterans!!! I will post it tomorrow in the ad section as I'm sure I can mention it here.
I hope to take advantage of Bridget's generous offer. Next best thing to the G.I.Bill! Go Navy!
If you would like to really thank the military, fight for their safe return home, NOW!!
The only reason this whole support/thank your troops BS was started was to keep the masses from focusing on the two "wars" going on in the middle east.
Funny how in all the years I served, not one person told me thanks, and now I hear it all the time.
I served proudly. Save the hollow sentiments and use your voice to bring the troops home
...no thanks to you for cheapening all of their efforts in keeping us safe at home. Shame on you!
EVERY opportunity I have I thank those who have served on my and my country's behalf. In my profession I have frequent opportunities to thank those of the greatest generation who served to keep this world free and I always speak to them from the heart, often with tears shed in gratitude. You sound like a very bitter, and lesser person than the ones I've been honored to meet.
Keep the troops in Afghanistan. Allah knows we're gonna need 'em!
-- Modified on 11/10/2013 3:10:27 PM
Drum, ease up on scolding a former Vet.
Instead try to be a bit more empathic, if John Smith is a Nam vet, there is good reason for his
appearance of bitterness.
Speaking with experience, I can understand some of what he has shared.
We were treated like Dirt, during, and after.
No one hailed the returning vets as worthy of positive mention, No one bothered to Say, Hey thanks for your service in a very un popular conflict.
Even the VA Admin, gave us bullshit excuses, and run around, when services we were seeking were not given. Services We paid for !
On another note, he and I have earned the right to state our Opinion, We served and we did as asked. So that Freedom can be had by everyone.
My fallen comrades are now represented by those of us who survived.
All that I am saying, is Do not chastise a vet who has an opinion that differs from that of your own. He gave something, that makes his opinion worthwhile Right ?
As soon as I hit Post Message I knew it might open a can of worms. I am not bitter (thanks for the judgment). Reading the text I can see how some may have come to that conclusion.
My emotions got the best of me and I felt I should make a statement that would add some depth before it became a thread of thank you, thank you, thank you.
Was my post the best way to achieve that goal? Probably not.
I just wanted people to think about the difference between the current media driven hoopla and a sincere, heartfelt appreciation of our current and former military members.
Minus the judgment, name calling and assumptions about me, I think I sparked some true sentiment.
Instead try to be a bit more empathic, if John Smith is a Nam vet, there is good reason for his
appearance of bitterness.
Speaking with experience, I can understand some of what he has shared.
We were treated like Dirt, during, and after.
No one hailed the returning vets as worthy of positive mention, No one bothered to Say, Hey thanks for your service in a very un popular conflict.
Even the VA Admin, gave us bullshit excuses, and run around, when services we were seeking were not given. Services We paid for !
On another note, he and I have earned the right to state our Opinion, We served and we did as asked. So that Freedom can be had by everyone.
My fallen comrades are now represented by those of us who survived.
All that I am saying, is Do not chastise a vet who has an opinion that differs from that of your own. He gave something, that makes his opinion worthwhile Right ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwhP5b4tD6g
one of my fav. movies!
-- Modified on 11/10/2013 4:56:07 PM
Do you know when and how Veterans Day come about .... Almost 100 years ago so well before the 2 wars in the Middle East that you speak of. Maybe I was raised differently than you but I have always been taught to respect the soldiers whether or not I agreed with the current war. My father is a veteran and I am damn proud to celebrate and show my appreciation for all of those who have and do serve our country. Again regardless of any of our political views, they do deserve our respect and sir, by you bringing that negativity to this thread shows great disrespect. I am sorry you didn't get the homecoming or admiration you deserved at the time but what you don't see is that you are getting it now, even if its just this little thread on this forum. So thank you but please try and understand that although we all have our differences of option this is a day to be celebrated and not for hatred. There are 364 other days to do that.
The only reason this whole support/thank your troops BS was started was to keep the masses from focusing on the two "wars" going on in the middle east.
Funny how in all the years I served, not one person told me thanks, and now I hear it all the time.
I served proudly. Save the hollow sentiments and use your voice to bring the troops home.
I liked your post.
I sure wish that it could have been left at the simple, yet very DESERVED, "thanks" to the vets.
It was a sincere thought from a genuine guy who had a good idea and tactful way to inspire ladies to offer incentives.
We can do without the political and religious crap and focus on kindness and giving. That is what we do, after all. And there's another forum for that.
Just one lady's opinion in a sea of many others-
PEACE,
Astrid
The only reason this whole support/thank your troops BS was started was to keep the masses from focusing on the two "wars" going on in the middle east.
Funny how in all the years I served, not one person told me thanks, and now I hear it all the time.
I served proudly. Save the hollow sentiments and use your voice to bring the troops home.
Mr. Smith,
I thank you for your service.
As a vet myself, who served during peace time, I many times feel uncomfortable when someone offers me their thanks and appreciation, for my service. The only "wars" the US was involved in during my years of service were the "Cold War" and the "War on Drugs". Although they are two of the most recognizable and longest lasting "wars", they really aren't even recognized as wars. It is very humbling and thus uncomfortable when I am grouped together with those I know have sacrificed so much more and received so little in return. You Mr. Smith deserve the thanks and appreciation of the American people as much as anyone else who has served. In fact one could argue that the veteran's of your generation deserve the sincerest apologies of the American citizens. I thank you for your sacrifices at home also. Those which resulted in all of the great programs and incentives for today's Veterans. Do not be bitter, Mr. Smith. Be proud of the fact that the pain and struggles you faced upon your return, served as lessons, which in turn resulted in better programs, treatment and respect of today's returning vets. On behalf of today's Veterans I thank you again Mr. Smith for your service and sacrifices
I thought of the point that made about what we have learned from the past just forgot to say it. I am not proud of everything our country has done nor is doing or some of the ways Americans have and still behave but I am VERY proud to be an American and hopefully we keep learning and continuing to improve.
As far your time in service ... You should be thanked as well. You chose your duty and served whether or not you were on the battlefield, you were prepared and ready. Thank you!
Also we should remember and thank all the nurses and doctors, the wives and mothers, the family members who served in one way or another.
-- Modified on 11/10/2013 9:50:22 PM
Brilove and Astrid,
I wholeheartedly thank you for your posts and support. Bri, you are absolutely on spot with with thanking the doc's and nurses, but more importantly, I believe, you identified those that face different, yet at times, equally daunting challenges amd adversities here at home, when their loved ones are deployed. The families, especially the wives and children left behind. Not an easy thing to live day to day, wondering if husbands/wives/dads/moms/sons/daughters will return safely amd still be the same person that you hugged and kissed goodbye months/hears earlier. In my mind, they are also heroes, truly deserving of our respect and thanks.
There! I think I'm done now.
As far your time in service ... You should be thanked as well. You chose your duty and served whether or not you were on the battlefield, you were prepared and ready. Thank you!
Also we should remember and thank all the nurses and doctors, the wives and mothers, the family members who served in one way or another.
-- Modified on 11/10/2013 9:50:22 PM
I also was never thanked for what i did while I was in service to the country. I didn't expect to be thanked, I was doing a job that to me, needed to be done. I also did not expect to be spit on, it happened at O'Hare airport when a group of "peace loving hippies" saw me waiting for a plane. It was a rough time for anyone in uniform when they returned home or were traveling in the US. I much prefer the thanks I get today but will always remember the being spit on. I thank those who have and are serving and those who support them. The support from those we protect is one of the most valuable things that can be given to those who serve. Please keep our service men and women in your thoughts and prayers as you are on theirs.
You were very respectful in your response. I too am a viet vet and I did not get a good welcome home, but I do not let that cloud my judgement. His response belongs on the political board.
As a vet myself, I would like to point out that for all of the benefits and appreciation todays vets receive, there is still a very large amount of neglect that goes on. One needs only look at the obscenely high rate of suicide amongst our soldiers and the waiting times that vets have to wait for many of the services the VA should be providing in a timely manner.
All of my fellow vets have my respect and love for the efforts, even if their opinions differ from my own in regards to their politics. I myself am no fan of the current perpetual war syndrome we are currently engaging in, would much rather see my brothers and sisters back home doing the things that family is meant to do. Live and love. I am all for defending this country and its citizens yet I feel that the past few administrations have used us (Veterans and the civilian public as well) at a cost in lives and limbs that is truly saddening.
I salute you my friends.
this issue is like the trail of tears. If you were not old enough then, you can know what happened but you could never feel it like the young men who slept on the jungle and buried there friends only to have John Kerry call them murders. What Hanoi Jane and media did to the Nam vets was a disgrace. If you are just old enough to have lived it you could not blame the men who survived only to be insulted for being bitter. I will not pretend to tell anyone of them how to feel but I will tell them that the overwhelming majority of people recognize that what ever they thought of the Nam war; you veterans are no less then the greatest generation who fought and died in WWII, and the thanks this nation gives our returning vets now is for you also.
The land of the free is because of the brave. To all Nam Vets ; take your place at the table of Honor it is your sacrifice that earned you that honor, not what the cowards say.
As some of my friends know, there was once a very, very special person outside of my Francesca life who was a Vietnam Vet. He mostly preferred not to talk about it but he did share a few of his experiences, including old, faded photo albums. Unimaginable and horrific. Perhaps the saddest one of all was when he returned. He attended his father's church in dress uniform. As he left the church after the service, a young member of the congregation--a girl--spit on him. To this day I can see the sadnesss and hurt in eyes when he told me that. That incident alone had a huge impact on his life.
I am truly grateful for the brave and courageous service men and women of our country. Thank you for your dedication, committment, and sacrifice. I respect and honor all those who have fought in wars but there is a special place in my heart for Vietnam Vets. I have visited the memorials in Washington DC as well as Angelfire, New Mexico. Words can't describe.
Thank you for all you do and everything you are.
And for those who were treated so disrespectfully when they came home, I am sorry that happened to you.