Veterans' Day

[W3MIV]

who have stepped out and volunteered to put their butts on the line to keep your butts cozily in front of your rigs.

Each of us needs to give a few moments to remembering their sacrifices, to remembering all those who have served in any of the nation's previous wars or are now standing in harm's way of the many outposts around the world.

Whether you shout "hoo-ahh" or "ooo-rah" makes little difference so long as you shout it loudly and proudly.

May God bless them and keep them safe.

[w3sy]

Not likely to get an argument on that!

Will the veterans of QRZ please step forward?

[n2nh]

I'd like to thank all the Veterans who have served. They've done a great job in service of their country and defending the rights of all Americans. How about "BOOYAH!!".

[w5klb]

Mr. Albert, OM MIV,

If anyone should be thanked for service to our country, it should be you. You have "stepped up to the plate" to defend us also. Thank you, OM.

To all our Veteran Heros past and present, I am gratefull to you all that I am able to live in a FREE country.

From a US Navy Veteran, served 1979-1991.

[KE7DFP]

Hats off to you guys, There shouldn't be one day that's Veteran's Day, everyday should be veterans day. #It is for me , I think about it everyday. #What you guys did/do, eclipses anything the average person will ever do in their lifetime. I haven't forgotten the Veterans sacrifices, God Bless you guys (and Gals). # YOU ARE #AMERICA.!!!!! OOOOH RAH # HAAAAA RAH. # Today would be a good day for everyone to go see the new movie "Jarhead" # It's pretty good, and it's not# political. #More about the Military then the war. In fact, there are no War scenes, really.

[WA5KRP]

http://www.wingsamerica.com/webart/products/small/579.jpg

To say "courageous" does not to do justice to those who have served this country. #To say "thank you" falls woefully short to pay our debt of gratitude. #

In San Antonio we have a lot of active military, mostly Army. #When I see a soldier in uniform, typically in a grocery store, I'll walk up to them, shake their hand and say something like, "That uniform looks good on you. #Thanks for all you do." #It NEVER FAILS to bring a big smile. #Many times I hear something like, "Thanks man, you don't know what it means to hear somebody say that."

I know it's not much, but it seems to go a long way for those I meet. #And that's what I hope this post conveys to those of you who serve or have served the USA. #Thank you.

†


WA5KRP
Texas

[KI6ASV]

Thank you to all of the Vets for the freedom that we enjoy today. To honor you we should all do everything we can to make sure we don't lose it. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[k4kyv]

I can recall when today was called Armistice Day, in observance of the end of WW1. Sometime in the 50's it was renamed to include veterans of all wars. In Canada, it is known as Remembrance Day.

Fewer than 50 WW1 veterans are still alive. Of 16 million Americans who served in WW2, only 3.5 million are still alive, and they are now dying off at the rate of about 1,000 a day.

By far the largest group of living veterans is now the VietNam veterans, 8.1 million.

Interestingly, the total number of Americans serving in WW2 is only about twice the number living 'Nam vets, if these statistics reported from the Census Bureau and Department of Veterans Affairs are to be believed. Could this be right?

I can recall when the last Civil War veteran died, sometime in the mid to late '50's. It doesn't seem that long ago that Spanish-American vets were still around, most WW1 vets hadn't even reached retirement age, and WW2 vets weren't particularly "old."

The sword of Charlemagne the just
Is ferric oxide, known as rust.
The tusks of mastodons in brawl
Are now billiard balls.
Great Caesar's bust is on the shelf
And I don't feel so well myself.

-Author unknown

Remember, the purpose of Veterans Day is to celebrate the sacrifices of the soldiers who fought in wars, not to celebrate the wars they fought in.

Don K4KYV,
US Army, 1966-1970

[n0jaa]

I've never served in the military, but several members of my family have. #I may not be able to appreciate what our soldiers do for us from a military point of view, but I still appreciate them nevertheless. #They put their lives on the line for deplorable conditions, lousy pay and violent situations just to save humanity from itself.

Even though I may not always be in favor of the reasons why troops are in a particular area or situation, I will always support the troops.

In my family's history, an ancestor served in the Confederate Navy during the Civil War, a great-grandfather served in World War I, both of my grandfathers and one grandmother (who was an Army nurse) served in World War II and Korea, two uncles served in Vietnam (one was killed in action), and my father served in the Air National Guard.

Everyone have a memorable Veterans Day.


Paul, N0JAA.


http://www.spacespider.net/emo/gen079.gif


(edited for spelling)

[W5MEJ]

I tend to think of our Military men and women every day, but especially today. #My thanks go out to all that have served, and my prayers are with all who serve today.


Quote[/b] (k4kyv @ Nov. 11 2005,13:04)]Interestingly, the total number of Americans serving in WW2 is only about twice the number living 'Nam vets, if these statistics reported from the Census Bureau and Department of Veterans Affairs are to be believed. #Could this be right?

This is probably a result of two things, although I don't have the numbers readily available. #One reason would be the population boom between WWII and Vietnam. #The other reason would be the nature of the conflicts. #Most that served in WWII were in "for the duration." #In Vietnam, the one-year rotation was the norm. #The total number of Vietnam vets is much higher than the total number of troops we had there at any one time.

But again, my thanks to all who have served, and to all who are serving still.

Chuck
US Army, Retired

[n0jaa]

The Enemy
By Lee Gray


I looked for the enemy today, I looked for him high and low;
From the highest mountains in the world, to the deepest valleys below.
Each time that I spotted him, I aimed my weapon and fired it.
I couldn't let him see me, so I hid in my little dugout pit.

Crawling o'er the ground like a bug, I meant to seek my enemy out.
Through mud, nettles and insects many, and foxholes within and without,
I searched here and there, high and low, up and down and everywhere,
But he would not be found. #I knew he was here, for I saw him somewhere.

Coming across a bombed-out town, my chance to find him seemed better.
Searching the many ruins, I found something there of his: a letter.
I thought, "He can't be too far from me now! #I have him in my sight!"
Reading the torn and tear-stained letter, I read what he said of this plight.

"My dearest wife, my love, my friend, why am I over here in this hell?
I don't understand what this war's about, but it's not going too well.
Why must I kill someone I don't know, when I could make friends instead?
Each time I take another step, I fear that I might end up as dead.

"Why did they take you from my arms and put me in this place?
They make me run, duck and hide to keep the enemy from giving chase.
And why are we fighting, I do not know. #Is it for land or sea?
The suits back home say nothing more than 'Fight off, kill my foe and be free.'

"I would that I'd never heard of this war that took me from your arms.
The horrors and terrors I have faced, the frequent, never-ending harms
Are more than any man should have to bear, in memory or in life.
The things that I do here cut open my soul like a dirty, dull knife.

"I hope I survive to return to your warm embrace and your love,
To convince my foe I am not a lion but an out-of-place dove.
If, somehow, I don't make it home to kiss your lips again never,
Please know that I will always love you, my dear, forever and ever."

Dropping the note, I hung my head low as a tear wetted my cheek.
I knew then that I felt the same way as he, not strong, but rather week.
My knees giving out, I knelt right there; to God I began to pray
And ask for his forgiveness for being the predator that same day.

Standing, I began to walk out of that tempest-tossed, bombed out sea.
I saw something glimmer from a corner -- is it the foe that I see?
Slowly making my way there, I found a cracked mirror, broken free;
I looked there and saw the enemy -- and realized that he was me.




© 2003, Lee Gray
Permission to post is granted, provided credit is given.