Shopsmith Forums

[quote="JPG40504"]There was a time when most all adult males were 'veterans'.]

Alas, that day has passed.

I'm a Veteran. 2 of my 5 brothers (kind of) are.
(They went to an OBC for ROTC, but dropped out.)

From the next generation, no one, including
my sister's offspring.

My family is a God-fearing, Conservative
group, but no more Veterans.

steve

Bitter words OP.

Misplaced, IMO. Much perhaps from a misunderstanding of what the day was originally. "Gratitude for victory" is the wording of the original proclamation. Nowhere in it is there the phrase "grateful nation".

There is also "solemn pride in the heroism of those who died...", and "...commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations..." and the "...inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples."

It's not to be a day of sack cloth and ashes. Quite the opposite in fact.

Accosting people and demanding they tell you what a veteran has done for them isn't, in my opinion, in keeping with the spirit or intent of Veterans Day. Nor will it garner good results. People don't like being grabbed by strangers, or having demanding questions thrust at them by those strangers. Of course they will flee, or attempt to flee. It indicates nothing about their feelings of Veterans Day, only their dislike of being accosted.

Enjoy the day, even this day. Look forward with hope. Grow in your understanding of others. That would be far more in keeping with the spirit of Armistice Day.

As a currently serving member of the US Army, I must say that I am constantly humbled by the gratitude of strangers. I sometimes travel in uniform and when I do so I am always stopped to be told "thanks for your service". The people thanking me are seldom under 40 however, so I'm not sure about the younger generations.

I did have a family approach me once and each of the 3 children wanted to shake my hand and say "thank you". Some parents are teaching their children, so there is yet hope.

bob

major_bob wrote:As a currently serving member of the US Army, I must say that I am constantly humbled by the gratitude of strangers. I sometimes travel in uniform and when I do so I am always stopped to be told "thanks for your service". The people thanking me are seldom under 40 however, so I'm not sure about the younger generations.

I did have a family approach me once and each of the 3 children wanted to shake my hand and say "thank you". Some parents are teaching their children, so there is yet hope.

bob

Major_Bob is apparently no longer accurate!

Congratulations! And TYFYS;)

[quote="JPG40504"]Major_Bob is apparently no longer accurate!

Congratulations! And TYFYS]

Hasn't been for quite some time, but I'm stuck with it for user names and email addresses !