Just a quick thank you to all the guys on TER who are Vets.

A sincere. Thank You for what you did for our country

Sham

Tanks!  Vietnam Class of 1970&1971.  WELCOME HOME to you all!

Not that I'm unappreciative of people's sentiments, but isn't Memorial Day for honoring our dead soldiers, not those that are still among us and Veterans Day for the living?  That said, to all of you who have been in the armed forces and are still around to read this, thank you for your service.

I am a Vietnam Era Veteran myself.  But my fathers generation grew up during the Great Depression, fought World War II, and created the middle class after after the War.  

So I think we should honor the World War II veterans.

Clinton dodged.  Bush avoided it.  Look where it got them.  Those who are faithful and courageous come back in a casket or missing an arm or a leg.  Their parents raised them 18 years to be worth one bullet on the battlefield.  How do you make sense of it all?

-- Modified on 5/31/2004 1:31:46 PM

I serve my country in the medical corps. I did carry a gun for my country and saw combat several times. However, let me assure you that to live in a free country...and enjoy the freedoms that we have....does not mean that "freedom" is free.

Freedom has a price. It is a very dear price. Nobody know all that much more how dear that price is then those who must fight for it. I have lost many good friends. Honest men, that beleived in what they did and were willing to die for it. I also find it hard to reconsile, but that is the way it is. Sometimes, when I stand in formation and "Taps" is played and the Honor Guard fires the final volly, I begin to cry and think...."I'm getting way too old for this shit...". But ALWAYS have I been very proud of my service and the blessing I"ve had to meet others who feel the same way. Each one comes to the alter of freedom for a different reason. What ever it is....it is. There life, there choice. But in the final time of the matter, they all come...and they all serve, "All gave some....but some gave all.....".

To my brothers and sisters who serve....be you in the armed forces or Police, fire, EMS.....to all of you that hump it every damn day..........Thanks......

Your Brother,
Ozzy.....

Well put Ozzy, my grandfather served in WWI, my father in the end of WWII and Korea, myself in the end of Vietnam and in the Gulf War.  Our Freedom should be kept as a dear price that is always worth the efforts it takes to make and keep our country free.  If it takes the same effort to help others to enjoy the same freedoms then again it well worth the effort.  Draft or Dodge should never be the question as it should be an honor to serve for our country.  Those who think differently have never known that type of honor!  No matter where I go and meet another military person it's like meetinng some one new in youur family, a comrade, a long lost friend.  Although there are those who have been in the military and don't see it this way.  To those whom have taken the time to say thanks, we really do appreciating hearing your words.

Thanks
Retired MSgt,