Thank You Veterans!

A heartfelt thank you to all our Veterans today ! Veterans like my Uncle ED. You see, Eddie dropped out of school at 17 to enlist in the Army in 1944 . Went overseas fought his way across the Pacific . He was one of the luckier ones had a bullet graze his head near his eye .
One of his proudest moments was when he was at the local VFW post . Colin Powell was there on a tour of the Midwest . When he saw Uncle Ed and the Purple Heart he had earned he stopped and saluted my uncle .
Ed went on to raise a family of five , even after his wife died at an early age . Didn't remarry until his 60's .
He had both hips and one Knee replaced . Never stopped him from driving his fellow Veterans to the Hospital across town .
Ed rests in the National Military Cemetery in Holly Michigan . I salute you Ed , and all of your fellow Veterans!
Bob

Thanks Uncle Ed all the men and women like you.

I just spoke to my father today about his service. He's 89. He was part of the Occupation Force in Japan. In fact he stood on the site of the Atomic Bomb blast of Hiroshima only six months after it was dropped. At 19 he was a sergeant. Stationed in Kure---20 miles from Hiroshima. His group of 50 Americans was involved in procurement for efforts to stabilize and rebuild Japan. The trip took 11 days on a troop transport and everyone was seasick. He was stationed at a former Japanese military base and shared it with groups from India, England and Australia. One story he told involved the Major he reported to. As my dad's service was winding down, this major gave him a 2 week pass to Tokyo and promised that when he returned he'd promote my Dad to Staff Sergeant and approve his return to the States and Discharge. When my Dad returned to the base two weeks later the Major was gone and he was summoned to the new Major's office. He was questioned about the old Major. It turns out the old Major was charging 10% extra for all contractors to get contracts. One of the contractors finally wrote a letter to General Eichelberger of the 8th Army to complain about this practice and an investigation was started. They found $200,000 in cash and diamonds in the old Major's quarters. My Dad didn't have a clue that was going on. He was honorably discharged 2 weeks later, but never got the promised Staff Sergeant promotion.

My father enlisted in the Navy in 1943, and passed his physical prior to boot camp. Before being shipped overseas, he was given a second physical and a doctor misdiagnosed my dad with cancer. Shortly after he was given a medical discharge, and headed to University of Illinois for college. Pops lived until he was 78. My Uncle Stan was based at Ford Island, which sits in the middle Pearl Harbor. His story of the days surrounding that time included laying in a trench at the end of the runway, waiting for the bullets to stop flying. The following day, his PBY Catalina "flying boat" was shot down by a by a Japanese Zero, crash landing into the Pacific. Two crew members were killed, two injured badly, and four were unhurt. He was one of the lucky ones. Uncle Leighton also enlisted (Army), however he did so at the age of 28 in 1941. He trained in the desert outside of Palm Springs (1942), CA under General Patton, and was sent to Africa to fight.

Luckily, my father never had to fight and both Uncles returned home safely. All great men that I was fortunate to know.

Great stories above and thank you to all Veterans!

My Dad served in Korea and the climate in Korea is similar to where I grew up in Chicago and the winters can be brutal - especially if you are living in a tent. I never served in the Military, and I don't think I can ever fully appreciate the sacrifices of those that have served.

Thank you Veterans for making and keeping America free.

My grandfather served during WWII and from what I was able to pry out of him, was part of the 3rd Army. Although much of anything else about the war he kept to himself.

Both of his sons served, one in the Air Force and one in the Marines. The oldest one retired serving 20 years as an AP (Air Police) and the other, just did his stent and was discharged.

I served 15 years in the Air Force 4 years as a Security Police (bomb guarding) and the next 11 "working with computers".

So for all of the folks in my family, thanks.

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast, and he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past. Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done. In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, everyone. And 'tho sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke, all his buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, for ol' Bob has passed away, and the world's a little poorer, for a Veteran died today.

No, he won't be mourned by many, just his children and his wife. For he lived an ordinary, very quiet sort of life. He held a job and raised a family, quietly going on his way; and the world won't note his passing; 'tho a Veteran died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state, while thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great. Papers tell of their life stories, from the time that they were young, but the passing of a Veteran, goes unnoticed, and unsung. Is the greatest contribution, to the welfare of our land, some jerk who breaks his promise and cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow, who in times of war and strife, goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life? The politician's stipend and the style in which he lives, are sometimes disproportionate, to the service he gives. While the ordinary Veteran, who offered up his all, is paid off with a medal and perhaps a pension, small. It's so easy to forget them, for it is so long ago, that our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys, went to battle, but we know. It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys, who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys. Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand, would you really want some cop-out, with his every waffling stand? Or would you want a Veteran, who has sworn to defend, his home, his kin, and Country, and would fight until the end?

He was just a common Veteran and his ranks are growing thin, but his presence should remind us, we may need his likes again. For when countries are in conflict, then we find the Military's part, is to clean up all the troubles, that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor, while he's here to hear the praise, then at least let's give him homage, at the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline, in the paper that might say:

OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
FOR A VETERAN DIED TODAY.

A. Lawrence Vaincourt

How cool is this for a Veterans Day celebration?

I stand and I stood.

Every man in my life has served in every war on the front lines.

My husband's grandfather and my elder preacher served in World War II and both are still living.

My grandfather and husband's uncles served in the Korean conflict.

My 3 uncles all served, one at the end of the Vietnam war.

My dad and husband both served during peace time. However, during small conflicts and in Korea.

Both of my brothers served front lines in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Both are highly awarded and one had his truck blown up by an ied and has a Purple Heart.

They all humbly served and to this day, it is a contradiction of whether to stand and be recognized. On one hand, we were taught not to receive recognition for your duty, but I do have to admit if my husband or brothers decide not to stand I feel a little shame that it seems they didn't serve our country. What were others taught about this?

As a woman, I can also say that the military prepares men for life on and off the field, I also know that wherever in life I am the men beside me are as they say, lol, trained killers. As well as many other benefits, they learn many skills and work ethic. I am proud of the men in my life, they served our country and they serve our families and our society. I am confident that they will serve me with honor and protection always.

Oddly, I was never a miltary brat or wife. So I have never lived within the military lifestyle.

But thank you, veterans. You have protected us and made us proud.

My uncle was the last official combat soldier to leave Vietnam. Got to meet the president when he got back, and the event was broadcast back to the US. Look up Max Beilke on YouTube.....I got the old news footage from an archive at Vanderbilt U.

Then he died at the Pentagon on Sept 11th, having survived 2 tours in Korea and the one in Vietnam. Go figure