TO ALL THE VETERANS

[da prez]

  T H A N K  Y O U.    We have served our country. All gave some , some gave all.
 Most of the ads I have seen for Veterans meals are requiring a valid Military ID.  It's about time.

                                                     da prez  1965-1969
                                                         Army  SP5-E5

[carolinarider09]

Yes thank your to all who have served.  Your sacrifices are appreciated and noted.

My dad, United States Marine Aviator, WWII

Me, United States Navy, Nuclear Submarine Service, 1967- 1973.

Regarding my time in the US Navy, it was fun, it was very educational, it was thrilling, and I got to see parts of the world I would never have traveled to.

And, it set the goals and the challenges for the rest of my life as I worked in the nuclear power industry.  I would change nothing.   

[DragonRdr]

Thanks to all, I was proud to serve for 20 years. Get out with your families and enjoy the day! 

Dragonrdr

USAF 1980 - 2000
MSgt Retired

[0leman]

 As the da prez  said:

 T H A N K  Y O U.  You have served our country. All gave some, some gave all.
 

[John Schmidt]

Although thankful for my time in the USAF, it was fraught with frustrations at times. My scoring on the battery of tests given in the first week allowed me a choice of anything the AF offered so I chose the electronics field which paid off in later years.

An amusing note: When Nancy and I got married last spring, she was a bit surprised at the condition of my bedroom compared to hers(she uses a CPAP so we're "sleep divorced"). Her comment was "my(her) room is a disaster and yours is straight, neat, and so orderly? Why...you're not in the military now." I told her "you're right, but the military is still in me!"  

[Robert]

A big thank you to our Veterans 

Blessings on you and your families. 

[MarkT]

Although thankful for my time in the USAF, it was fraught with frustrations at times. My scoring on the battery of tests given in the first week allowed me a choice of anything the AF offered so I chose the electronics field which paid off in later years.

An amusing note: When Nancy and I got married last spring, she was a bit surprised at the condition of my bedroom compared to hers(she uses a CPAP so we're "sleep divorced"). Her comment was "my(her) room is a disaster and yours is straight, neat, and so orderly? Why...you're not in the military now." I told her "you're right, but the military is still in me!"  

Interesting parallels/contraries, John.
I too maxed the USAF battery of tests.  So I said "Cool, guess I'll get what I want, right?"
Wrong.  I wanted #1 Recip A/C mechanic to get skills to build on to work at a FBO and be around planes, get a pilot's license and go from there.  #2 - turboprop mech.  #3 Jet mechanic. 

Wha'd I get?  WEAPONS MECHANIC.   Useless.  Oh well at least the VA paid for my college, guaranteed my mortgage and now is paying a large reparations fee for their Agent Orange poisoning.  Finally - after 50 years.

 #2 (parallel)- My sister lives in your town.  Has for decades.  Yep I visit sometimes but not often.  Not a fan of the weather but am a Cheesehead.  GO PACK GO.

 #3 (Contrary) - My wife is incredibly neat.  I'm the slob.   I'm just comfortable with some clutter.  "a neat shop is the sign of a sick mind."  OK that's my story and I'm stickin to it.

[da prez]

  I am amazed that no one commented on my length of enlistment. I put 1066 thru 1969. I just corrected it.   I was drafted , and about ten days later , I did the enlistment deal to get a school.  I passed the basic skills test , which if I would have failed , I would have joined the draftees.  I did the basic training at Ft. Campbell Ky, with the 101st Airborne. I was not a jumper , But I could do more push ups and pull ups than was humanly possible.  I am still a neat freak except for my garage.  

                                          da prez

[Willow]

  I am amazed that no one commented on my length of enlistment. I put 1066 thru 1969. ...

I'm sure none of us dared contest one of your age and experience.  The Norman invasion of England took place in 1066.  There are very few of you veterans of that campaign yet alive.

[John Schmidt]

That 1066 probably isn't a typo...ya think?  With "arthur" slowly creeping into various parts of my carcass, it sure feels like I'm at least that old some days...like today. I couldn't open the jar of strawberry jam, a major disaster!  

[Serk]

So I'm late to the party, but since the thread came back up to the top, lemme throw my thanks to my veterans and active duty...

My dad (Captain, USAF) with little Serk on his shoulders being the welcoming committee for POW's returning home from the Vietnam adventure circa 1973...



And of course my elder spawn Kali, active duty US Army...



And a bonus image of Specialist Kali, just because I think she's kinda bad ass...

[carolinarider09]

Well Done!   

[Mooskee]

Thanks, da prez,
Like so many others here, my time in the Navy shaped the rest of my life. I never would have been able to accomplish what I have without the military training as brief as it was. I served from 73-77. I got drafted in 72 with a draft number of 12. I was in college and signed up with the Navy on a 6 month delayed entry. By the time I went to basic, Nixon had de-escalated Viet Nam. I trained as a RADAR Tech, AQ Fire Control Technician. The military being the way it is, assigned me to an a squadron that had no operational RADAR, so I cross trained as a Com/Nav tech, AT. and worked on A4s and S2s. I later transferred to an A6 squadron and became a weapon system specialist and expert on the A6 working RADAR & Com Nav. I loved working on those planes, Where else in the world can 20 year old kid play with multimillion dollar cool toys? When I got out I went to work in nuclear power and trained as an Instrument and Control Tech. We calibrated and maintained all the nuclear plant control systems. I was in nuclear power for 42 years, the last 19 were as an instructor training technicians to do the Instrumentation and Controls job. My wife was also in the Navy as were both of my sons. My eldest son served as a Navy SEAL for 10 years. My father, grandfather, uncle, and great grandfather served in the Army. I never would have been able to accomplish all I have in my life without the upbringing of military minded individuals and my own time in the service. I have the deepest regard to all who serve, or have served. It is something that shapes your life in a way that few other things can.

[Willow]

So I'm late to the party, but since the thread came back up to the top, lemme throw my thanks to my veterans and active duty...

And of course my elder spawn Kali, active duty US Army...

And a bonus image of Specialist Kali, just because I think she's kinda bad ass...

I just couldn't believe the Army would spell Kali's name backwards so I fixed it for you.  Tell your eldest that the picture of her gives my heart a special beat.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks, da prez,
Like so many others here, my time in the Navy shaped the rest of my life. I never would have been able to accomplish what I have without the military training as brief as it was. I served from 73-77. I got drafted in 72 with a draft number of 12. I was in college and signed up with the Navy on a 6 month delayed entry. By the time I went to basic, Nixon had de-escalated Viet Nam. I trained as a RADAR Tech, AQ Fire Control Technician. The military being the way it is, assigned me to an a squadron that had no operational RADAR, so I cross trained as a Com/Nav tech, AT. and worked on A4s and S2s. I later transferred to an A6 squadron and became a weapon system specialist and expert on the A6 working RADAR & Com Nav. I loved working on those planes, Where else in the world can 20 year old kid play with multimillion dollar cool toys? When I got out I went to work in nuclear power and trained as an Instrument and Control Tech. We calibrated and maintained all the nuclear plant control systems. I was in nuclear power for 42 years, the last 19 were as an instructor training technicians to do the Instrumentation and Controls job. My wife was also in the Navy as were both of my sons. My eldest son served as a Navy SEAL for 10 years. My father, grandfather, uncle, and great grandfather served in the Army. I never would have been able to accomplish all I have in my life without the upbringing of military minded individuals and my own time in the service. I have the deepest regard to all who serve, or have served. It is something that shapes your life in a way that few other things can.

Thanks for sharing   my 4 years in the Navy were also instrumental in my life. I don’t have near the pedigree as you. All of my relation were Air Force and Marines. My nephew just enlisted in the Navy, and I’m very proud of him.

[da prez]

 My wifes granddaughter is in the Air force . Since Bonnie died , we have some contact. She was sent to Germany , a military intelligence specialist. She has been in combat twice and I believe she is in combat now
 We communicate on occasion , but all her communication is monitored. She is a Major on her way to Being a Lt.Col.  I wish her the best and hope she is safe.

                  da prez
.

[Jess from VA]

I had to defend an airman who was observed shooting at foxes with his service rifle out guarding the flight-line.

They took his rifle away and he had to defend the flight line with a broom. 

Boredom is the enemy of good order and discipline. 

PS:  I cut my hair today.  All 30 of them (on top).   

[Serk]

Tell your eldest that the picture of her gives my heart a special beat.

Message has been relayed... I'm hoping this is a good thing, and not something you should be discussing with a cardiologist!

[scooperhsd]

Boredom is the enemy of good order and discipline. 

Truer words never spoken...

[Willow]

Tell your eldest that the picture of her gives my heart a special beat.

Message has been relayed... I'm hoping this is a good thing, and not something you should be discussing with a cardiologist!

It's good for me.  I know I don't take opportunity to express it often but she is a special person whose company I have enjoyed every time.

I hope the Army is treating Kali well and she makes the cavalry uniform look good.   

[f6gal]

Tell your eldest that the picture of her gives my heart a special beat.

Message has been relayed... I'm hoping this is a good thing, and not something you should be discussing with a cardiologist!

I was thinking the same.  I guess we've both been spending too much time in hospitals.

[Oldfishguy]

Time in the military seems to follow us through life in some form . . . and even in death.  I was at a funeral today for a WWII vet and the flag was prominently displayed near the deceased.  Nice to see.  I was hoping for Taps, that never came.  That tune hits me hard, but I still love it somehow.

[scooperhsd]

My Navy ROTC class had a 40 year reunion a couple weeks ago. It was interesting to find out what everybody has been doing since commisioning. Yes, we've had losses (none to combat AFAIK) - motorcycle accident, prostate cancer after 30 years service were a couple of them.

I can honestly say that my service has had a lifelong impact on me, and by the time I left - I don't take BS crap any more. Respect me, and I'll respect you.

[The emperor has no clothes]

My Navy ROTC class had a 40 year reunion a couple weeks ago. It was interesting to find out what everybody has been doing since commisioning. Yes, we've had losses (none to combat AFAIK) - motorcycle accident, prostate cancer after 30 years service were a couple of them.

I can honestly say that my service has had a lifelong impact on me, and by the time I left - I don't take BS crap any more. Respect me, and I'll respect you.

I suspect being an officer is a lot different than being enlisted. By the time I left I was adept at taking BS crap. 

[Jess from VA]

During 3 of my 4 tours, I was the most junior officer in the (JAG) office (except we got someone more junior a month before I left once).

I got every single shitty little job that came down the pike at those offices.  Including all manner of nit picking self inspections which took a week each time, being seconded to other offices to help out (many times), helping to swab out the bathrooms when VIPs visited, traveling to do do article 32 investigations (criminal pretrial one man grand jury investigations) twenty-five times, given responsibility to organize a 3-star retirement dinner, having to march in pass in review ceremonies (marching in long grass sucked), being sent to the hospital to do last will and testaments for terminally ill retirees (terribly sick and dying people), and more.

I know enlisted got crummy jobs and assignments, but it's not like all officers had an easy life.  Hardly.

[Mooskee]

Thanks, da prez,
Like so many others here, my time in the Navy shaped the rest of my life. I never would have been able to accomplish what I have without the military training as brief as it was. I served from 73-77. I got drafted in 72 with a draft number of 12. I was in college and signed up with the Navy on a 6 month delayed entry. By the time I went to basic, Nixon had de-escalated Viet Nam. I trained as a RADAR Tech, AQ Fire Control Technician. The military being the way it is, assigned me to an a squadron that had no operational RADAR, so I cross trained as a Com/Nav tech, AT. and worked on A4s and S2s. I later transferred to an A6 squadron and became a weapon system specialist and expert on the A6 working RADAR & Com Nav. I loved working on those planes, Where else in the world can 20 year old kid play with multimillion dollar cool toys? When I got out I went to work in nuclear power and trained as an Instrument and Control Tech. We calibrated and maintained all the nuclear plant control systems. I was in nuclear power for 42 years, the last 19 were as an instructor training technicians to do the Instrumentation and Controls job. My wife was also in the Navy as were both of my sons. My eldest son served as a Navy SEAL for 10 years. My father, grandfather, uncle, and great grandfather served in the Army. I never would have been able to accomplish all I have in my life without the upbringing of military minded individuals and my own time in the service. I have the deepest regard to all who serve, or have served. It is something that shapes your life in a way that few other things can.

Thanks for sharing   my 4 years in the Navy were also instrumental in my life. I don’t have near the pedigree as you. All of my relation were Air Force and Marines. My nephew just enlisted in the Navy, and I’m very proud of him.

That sounds like a pretty good pedigree to me. Thanks for the service of you and your family.