Veterans Day

[Stump bumper]

Happy Veterans Day;

On days like this I think back about my 20 years and people that I knew and one story always comes to mind. It was 1991 right after Desert Storm and I had 75 people moving old ammo off a mountain in Germany. Most of these soldiers were under 25 and just returned from deployment. I was working them 16 hours a day with one hot meal a day in the rain and snow with no breaks for months. The commander assigned me the task of reenlistment interviews since they were all first termers. I had expected a lot of "get lost" and worse but instead I got 100% would diffidently reenlist. All I could do is stare and say why, you have had the worst first term I could imagine. Everyone had the same answer, for the first time in their young lives they felt they had a purpose and were making a difference.

So to all the vets out there he is hoping when you left you found your purpose and are making a difference for not having one is the sadist way to live. There are much worse fates then cold, hungry and over worked. That is what those kids on that frozen mountain top taught me that day.

Thank you for your Service, Loyalty and setting the example for future generations to follow.

[tho1mas]

Thank you from a fellow retired vet. Some days of late makes me wonder if it was worth the effort.

[Stump bumper]

44 minutes ago, tho1mas said:

Thank you from a fellow retired vet. Some days of late makes me wonder if it was worth the effort.

Just remember it was never the politicians or the celebrities or even the loved ones back home that effective us the most it was that one role model we chose to follow and helped us the most. Then there was that one young lost forgotten kid that looked up to you, that is where you made the difference because he/she went on to make a difference in another young life. 

Even though we can't remember the names and have long sense lost track of those individuals you did make a difference and effected a lot of lives. When you share your knowledge and care for others they learn to do the same. Even though you may want to have done it different you were the best the country had to offer at the time and you did your best at the time and it affected more people than you realize.

I never realized this until my son became my brother in arms and I realized that he respected the respect I had earned if not the man I was and I gained so much respect for what he became not as my son but as a solider. That is the payoff, the pride you have in the ones that continue on and somewhere there is still a piece of you in there. 

[Dan the fisherman]

Thank you too all the Veterans.  

[zarraspook]

As Stump said --- Those that we look up to shaped who we are.. I was lucky to have meet and look up to many a great men and women in my 23 years in the Air Force...

I too hope all are vets a healthy life, full of great memories .....

[Old plug]

I was in the Navy buit spent many many years at the Army recrds center in St Louis that was almost destroyed by fire. Historically I have about seen it all as it relates to the Army in that period from ww1 thru VN. . I was in there before they had gotten the fire totally out to bring out14 cabinets of POW diaries from the Philippines. I did a lot of reasearch on things while I was there that had to do with retroactive  awarding of awards and decorations. I did or was involved with others in many things. I have used the record of all army 5 star generals and presidents since WW1. It has taught me never to forget the soldiers in the field. A few of those officiers is another story. I  have many many menories both good and bad of thing and events. I will not relate them in  a public forum. There is a old saying that the Army runs on its stomach. Well that might be the fuel but the engine is sperit and belief in what your doing. We lost that in VN. Veterans should be ever vigilant of what is going on that concerns them. I do not  trust congress are anyone today heaping praise on the military and Veterans as far as politicians are concerned. Just remember these people might have been born woth a forked tongie. Every year there are things attemped about Vererans benefits. 

[Blll]

To all my fellow vets: "Welcome Home"