Changing Times

[derekdarling]

I am sure it meant far more to him!

It has been my experience that THEY might just have the better experience... serving/giving is always a blessing.

[charlese]

...
However, when I was in uniform, Veterans Day was always something of an irritant. I often had to work that day as we had the public parading through the facilities on an Open House. They all had a Holiday while I worked.

I had very similar feelings for the first Veterans day while in the Army, but before the second came along, my favorite Captain pointed out I should think about the ribbons I've seen on various uniformed cadre. Got so I could easily recognize Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Believe me - this made the next Veteran's Day a whole lot more enjoyable during demonstrations. God Bless those guys, and all those who supported them.

[maggeorge]

Our freedom - we owe it to them.





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http://www.sawblade.com

[paulrussell]

As someone who spent a few years in black leather boots, I find Veteran's Day to be full of irony and absurdity. While I and others who served went about our workday as normal, our postmen stayed home, our bank stayed closed, and civil employees of all walks got a vacation day. Boy does that make you feel honored.

[sawmill]

I to wore black leather boots and bloused pant legs for many years and I can tell you we are luckly to live where we live. I recieved a picture today of a young woman in her late teens or early 20 s. This woman will be 80 years old on Dec 11 and some of the thing she has seen will make your hair curl. She lives in Germany in an area that was almost flattened in WW2. In this picture is a simple building with no wires running to it so there was no electric no phone or computer. That was her homr before WW 2. I met this woman and her family in 1971 and in my time in Germany almost lived with them. Her mother was old when I was there and she told me once that the happiest day of their lives was when the US forces came to town. My wife and I visited them last year while in Germany and she showed me a picture of me and her children and on the back she called me her son. I got a little chocked up at that. So what the veterans that gave us freedom also gave peoples in other countries freedom also. I had never thought of this until I got the picture today.

[oldc6]

Vietnam 1965& 1966. We were located at Long-Binh where the road turned to go to Bein-Hoa air base. Secure area. Wheel , track, heavy gun mechanic was my job. We were direct support for the 173rd airbone folks.

Secure area?? In march 1966 two e-4s and an officer were driving jeep on a road that we traveled quite often not far from our base. Land mine knocked jeep into ditch. Two e-4s were able to get in other ditch ok. Officer was hit by rounds in upper body and head. KIA right then.

Yes, when i was working it always bothered me when most of the world was off on that veterans day. They would bring cars in for repair cause they had the day off......Sometmes life doesnt seem fair but, suck it up and keep moving.

Memorial Day weekend in 2008 we were able to put together a reunion of our company. 22 guys and wives were able to go. We met for four days.
On Memorial Day of that weekend we went to the cemetary where the officer was buried..... Quite a emotional time..........

So, for those who did not serve their country, wartime or not, I cannot explain the closeness felt that weekend we were togather.

The rest of the story with this officer. He came into the company to fill a vancancy of another officer. The other officer had his arm drove over delibertly so he would not have to go to Vietnam.. He then went AWOL to Canada but, later was brought back and served time in Levenworth.

We met the officers family at the reunion. They had not heard this story so, you can imagine how they felt about his death. Our commanding officer from Vietnam. told the story the last day of the reunion.......

Am i bitter about having to work on Veterans Day??? Not really cause, I know in my heart what its all about. I feel bad for all the people who are to lazy, or ignorant to learn what the veterans served for.........

With the present administration i wonder where we will be in four more years. That would be a discussion for another day............ Thanks.

[skou]

Last Monday, (Veteran's Day) an Army-Air Force friend and I went to the local Golden Corral, to get their Veteran's buffet.

Golden Corral "pulled out ALL the stops" if you know organ phrases. There was NOTHING we couldn't get. For the Veterans, EVERYTHING was on the menu. (Steak all night!) We walked out of there, without spending a single red penny. (Except for the tips. Those people treated the Vets like HEROES, and I tipped well.)

People, if you need to go to a restaurant in the near future, PLEASE support this place.

Funny thing, if you see my earlier post, there was a sweet lady that was in my store, taking advantage of her husband's discount. Saw her at the restaurant later. She says, "You following me?" "Of course I'm a stocker." (I stock shelves at work.) She laughs, like she always has.

There ARE people who respect and take care of the US Veterans!

steve

[letterk]

Seemed to be quite a few places locally that offered free meals to veterans. My father had free dinner at the Olive Garden. My brother and his wife who are Veterans had the day off and made a day out of having a free breakfast, lunch and dinner at restaurants that provided free meals for veterans.

My wife's school had a program and a young high school ROTC candidate came to speak. She said he did a great job keeping both the younger and older kids engaged while talking about Veterans Day. Keep the faith, there are many who appreciate all that our veterans have sacrificed for our country and people.

[swampgator]

Most of the civil servants I worked with in DOD were veterans. That was our day to attend and participate in ceremonies and parades. Most of your postal clerks are also veterans.

[JPG]

There was a time when most all adult males were 'veterans'.