Veterans - THANK YOU

[NCLee]

My word's aren't enough to express my appreciation for your service to our country.

I wish I could reach out my hand to salute you and shake your hand.

Thank you, Sir!
Thank you, Madam!

Lee

[sissy]

THANK YOU ALL
Sissy

[nhlivefreeordie]

My word's aren't enough to express my appreciation for your service to our country.

I wish I could reach out my hand to salute you and shake your hand.

Thank you, Sir!
Thank you, Madam!

Lee

Amen...Thank you Veterans!!

[TNDadx4]

Thank you very much to all who are serving and to all who have served!
I appreciate your sacrifice!

[dearg]

Thank you all... and your families.

[sally]

Thank you, veterans, for being our shield. Without your service, our democracy would not still be here. God bless you all.

[Anon001]

Thank you! All of you are my heroes, as far as I'm concerned.

Paul

[CarolAnn]

Besides all three of my brothers who served in peace time, the vet I knew best was Ike Davis. He served in WWII in the south Pacific. He lost an eye when he was hit by shrapnel, but Ike was such a good shot that they patched him up and sent him back out to fight. He was injured again. Ike received two purple hearts. His family told me the second was to be a different medal, but I guess the army messed up. Still, he had given his sight and his health for his country, so he truly deserved whatever medals he got.

When I knew Ike, he had several strokes, so he had to use a walker and he could no longer form words. He tried and tried, but all that would come out was gibberish. I stayed with Ike while his wife attended church. She had been a "Rosie the Riveter" and had helped build ships during the war! What an amazing family! It was my honor to know them both.

Once, Ike was trying to talk and I could see he really needed to tell me his thoughts. Bad news on TV would upset him, especially if it was about children. I'd always try to comfort him and assure him his own grandkids were fine. He kept gesturing and trying to speak. I said, "Ike, I bet it's frustrating that we can't understand you, isn't it?"

He said, clear as a bell, "It certainly is!"

He looked surprised, then he started to laugh. We both did! He felt that so strongly, it overcame even with the stroke damage!

Later on, Ike passed away in the vet's hospital in Little Rock. I still miss him, and I'm so glad I got to know him as much as I did.
:heart_blue1:

[MT4me]

From a vet to all vets past and present. My thoughts are with you always. Thank you all for your service.

[MissouriFree]

Thank you to all my brothers....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzXxWTpC1CM

[MT4me]

Worth a quiet introspective listen.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B81kW814qA&feature=related

[MooseToo]

please do not overlook the factor that we veterans, having more exposure to the situation than do civilians, actually have a greater degree of respect for the sacrafices of our fellow vets -

[Grizzy]

To Those preparing to Go.. To Those who are There.. To Those who have Gone and Returned.. To Those who could not Come Back.. and To Those who participate in support to Those... Thank You for Your Service. We will never truly know all that You have Given... Thank You...


Be Strong
~Grizzy~

[MT4me]

To Those preparing to Go.. To Those who are There.. To Those who have Gone and Returned.. To those who could not Come Back.. and To Those who participate in support to Those... Thank You for Your Service. We will never truly know all that You have Given... Thank You...


Be Strong
~Grizzy~


Thanks Ma. Big Montana bear hug to you. You are right; unless you have worn the boots......well you get it... thanks.

[lostinthewoods]

I too have to say thank, you all! Days like today make me realize how fortunate we are to live in the country that we do. I have never served in the military, and I owe those who have a debt of gratitude, because alot of them have had to do things that they didn't want to so that my family and I can do what we want to.

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING ALL OF US SAFE AND FREE! YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS!



best,
lost

[Builder Ken]

Because of you we walk freely in the streets of this country,because of you we send our children to schools of our choice and worship in churches of our choice with open doors. Thank You All

Ken

[Faye]

I am the wife of a vietnem veteran and the sister of a vietnam veteran. I also consider each veteran my hero. Without them where would we be. Thank you.

[cmdan]

Thanks, we are here if it warrents, and we will always be here. no one can take us away. we can do that which we think needs to be done.

[sonshine]

Thanks and God Bless.

Judy

[Anon001]

Personally speaking...

I'll share a true story that I seldom share. To this day, when I think of it, I still get a lump in my throat.

I am number 6 out of 7 boys. Our birth dates range from 1944 to 1963. My oldest brother was born while my dad was in the Navy in WWII. My second brother served in the Air Force during Vietnam.

I can clearly remember when my brother left and his wife came to stay with us for 3 months. Then she went to Europe. I sure missed my big brother... I was always asking how long till he comes home. I was young enough that "years" didn't quite compute.

At that time, the only communication we had other than letters was to record on reel to reel, send it to them and they did likewise.

I can't remember the year he came home but I must have been somewhere between 8 and 10 years old. I'll never forget how excited we were that he was on his way home and not with a draped flag.

At that time, there were no jetways. You went out on the tarmac, a flight of stairs was rolled up to the plane door and the passengers deplaned there. People meeting the plane gathered around the stairs at the plane. The day he came home was no different. It was my parents, my brothers (minus one) and the two oldest boys' wives.

I'll never forget seeing people come off the plane. Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen deplaned before other passengers and the people gathered on the tarmac were cheering and clapping. My brother was the last of the military passengers to step out the door of the plane at the top of the stairs. He had a smile on his face and began to scan the crowd. We were fairly close to the stairs.

As a little boy that was taught that these men were heroes, I'll never forget how excited I was. That little boy looked at that Airman in uniform and was thinking to himself that his big brother had to be the best big brother in the world, the bravest, the sharpest looking in uniform, etc. I remember when he spotted us and that grin broke out into the biggest smile, almost a laugh.

Everyone got big hugs. I was kinda squished out of the way when his wife and my parents and older brothers came first. Then when he saw me, he reached out and grabbed me, picked me up and gave me a big hug.

That was my hero. How I wish that others from that war could have received the same honor as those men that came off that plane that day.

When I think about that day compared with the times now, I realize it is a shame that things have changed so much and the men and women today aren't given the same reception.

Even though I'm middle aged now, I still "look up" to them all... heroes all.

Paul