What does Veterans Day mean to you? On Veterans Day and all year long it is important to give thanks, honor & respect to the many brave men and women who have served our country. We welcome you to add your thoughts and comments about what Veterans Day means to you, about people who serve or have served in the U.S. Military, along with how you and your family honored the Holiday. Many of these posts will be shared on VetFriends.com and with television stations and newspapers. Thank you for your service.
This is not my story, it is my father's, recounted to me a few times over the course of his life.
My father was a teenager during World War Two, living in occupied Holland. His last name was Cohen. Fortunately, he and his immediate family were a...
This is not my story, it is my father's, recounted to me a few times over the course of his life.
My father was a teenager during World War Two, living in occupied Holland. His last name was Cohen. Fortunately, he and his immediate family were able to procure forged papers to change their name. The forged papers were not enough to save my grandfather who died in front of my father when the Gestapo came for him, but somehow they ignored the boy. I suspect there was some humanity left in those Germans.
The contact that allowed him those papers allowed him to join the resistance, or perhaps it was the inverse. My father wanted to fight, but he was still too young and too small to be given a fighting role. His youth however allowed him to not be seen as a threat by the enemy, to pass much more easily. He was given the job of runner, he kept communication between several cells of the resistance. He was however still affiliated with a particular cell, with whom he spent much time.
One day he was going to join his cell at their 'headquarters', and saw that there was an unusual level of activity by the Germans in the immediate area. They were clearly getting ready to assault my father's cell. Rather than running, which might well have been the smart thing to do from a civilian perspective, he snuck through the Germans to get inside to his friends, to warn them.
Warn them he did and they set to arming themselves, getting ready to sell themselves dearly. My father wanted to fight, but his compatriots were steadfast in their refusal. He had a job to do they told him, he had to report the destruction of the cell. It was too late for him or anyone to escape, so they had him crawl up the chimney to hide. Shortly thereafter, the gunfire started.
He stayed there for hours after the gunfire ended, waiting for silence, and when he finally came out, there were no Germans present. The bodies of all his friends though still were.
The whole of his life afterwards, virtually every waking moment from that point forth was spent atoning for the guilt of surviving. It had profound, devastating effects on the quality of his life after that, and domino effects on the people around him. His personal life was a perpetual shambles and his dreams haunted. However he became a doctor, one of the first emergency medical specialists and spent his life crusading to improve emergency medicine. He was personally responsible for saving thousands of lives and indirectly countless more.
Hello everybody,
I'm here today looking for my veteran friends, those who know me by the nickname Ashtar Sheran. If you are reading this message and already know me, then know that I would love to reconnect with you!
We've all been through a lo...
Hello everybody,
I'm here today looking for my veteran friends, those who know me by the nickname Ashtar Sheran. If you are reading this message and already know me, then know that I would love to reconnect with you!
We've all been through a lot together and I'm sure we have a lot of stories to share. I'd like to hear what life has been like for you since we last saw each other.
I remember the conversations we had about our dreams and plans for the future. It would be interesting to know what you have achieved and what you are still chasing. Maybe we can even help each other out in some way.
Regardless of where you are now or what you are doing, know that you are still important to me. I highly value the friendships I've made in the past and would like to keep them alive.
So if you are a veteran friend who knows me as Ashtar Sheran, please leave a message here or contact me. I look forward to hearing from you!
I served with the 25th Infantry Division from July 1967 to July 1968. Much confusion. I managed to make it to the wall and had nearly 2 hours to check on my guys who on that wall. I was so very proud to have known these guys and for the record all...
I served with the 25th Infantry Division from July 1967 to July 1968. Much confusion. I managed to make it to the wall and had nearly 2 hours to check on my guys who on that wall. I was so very proud to have known these guys and for the record all of my brothers on that wall. I hope every Veterans Day I can return.
Before coming home from Nam we all heard what the vets were going through at airports. I came home Feb. 71. I was so concerned that when I got to Indianapolis to this dayI don't remember seeing my family or girlfriend.
Before coming home from Nam we all heard what the vets were going through at airports. I came home Feb. 71. I was so concerned that when I got to Indianapolis to this dayI don't remember seeing my family or girlfriend.
3
why is it just a few
robert a tevault, FL
we went to viet nam march 8 1965 we were young and dumb we lost a lot of good young men and then we came back to the jane fondas and the so called nfl players the great Americans who thought it was ok for some body else to give them what they thought...
we went to viet nam march 8 1965 we were young and dumb we lost a lot of good young men and then we came back to the jane fondas and the so called nfl players the great Americans who thought it was ok for some body else to give them what they thought they deserved from their country. now after over 50 yrs I still think of the few that did more for all of us than any of the so called americans that would see other countrys live better than us . if those vets could see how we have destroyed USA they would probably roll over and cry.GOD BLESS THE ARMED FORCES OF MY COUNTRY
when i first came back from nam i though thing would be ok, but boy was i wrong i was called everything in the book, so was sadden by the people and there mentaliy that they had, it took me along time to get over it, the same thing happen when i came...
when i first came back from nam i though thing would be ok, but boy was i wrong i was called everything in the book, so was sadden by the people and there mentaliy that they had, it took me along time to get over it, the same thing happen when i came back from nam in july 69, but it took time, now i do not think about it any more
I and nine other vets belong to an
honor guard through our American Legion
post.Veterans day we laid to rest an
army person and did it with pride.
God bless all vets and the U S A
thank yoy
To...
I and nine other vets belong to an
honor guard through our American Legion
post.Veterans day we laid to rest an
army person and did it with pride.
God bless all vets and the U S A
thank yoy
Tom Fragale
WW11
Pittsburgh,Pa
I have always been proud of my 22 year career in The Us Navy and my advancement from E1 to E 7 and on up to LDO Lieutenant and the seven ships I had served on! My proudest day since I retired was this past November 9th when I had the privilege to spe...
I have always been proud of my 22 year career in The Us Navy and my advancement from E1 to E 7 and on up to LDO Lieutenant and the seven ships I had served on! My proudest day since I retired was this past November 9th when I had the privilege to speak to the junior class at Englewood high School in Englewood Colorado1 The students were extremely attentive and their questions intelligent! I hope that some of them will consider a Navy career and will task me in guiding their quest.
Although I am not a vet, my uncle, Lance Corporal Larry E. Hart was. 3rd Marines, 4th battallion.
You see, my uncle Pete, as he was called(I never met him) was killed during a patrol in 1967 during the vietnam affair. I can not rightly explain it, ...
Although I am not a vet, my uncle, Lance Corporal Larry E. Hart was. 3rd Marines, 4th battallion.
You see, my uncle Pete, as he was called(I never met him) was killed during a patrol in 1967 during the vietnam affair. I can not rightly explain it, but ever since I was a teenager(I am nearly 40 now)the life and service of my uncle Pete has held my utmost respect and gratitude. Pete was supposes to come home and run the family farm but when he was killed Pop(my grandfather)lost his want to farm. Pop held iut as long as he ould and sold the farm in 1978.(I was 5 years old)
Because of uncle Pete I hold the highest amount of respect for all those active duty and retired enlisted men and women of our armed forces and extend my deepest gratitude that they allow me to live the life I do with my lovely wife and two young sons and know they will be safe from all comers foreign and domestic.
For that, THANK YOU TO ALL MILITARY PERSONNEL!!!! We, as a country, owe our way of life to all of you.
Deepest regards,
Judd Shiffler, New Providence, Pa
Veterans day is one of the most important days of the year. Its the day when we give our thanks, when show our respects and when we honor all of the people who served the army, who is serving now, and who will serve in the future. However, i believe ...
Veterans day is one of the most important days of the year. Its the day when we give our thanks, when show our respects and when we honor all of the people who served the army, who is serving now, and who will serve in the future. However, i believe that we should not recognize them once a year, we should be thankful all year long because those heros risk there lives to save ours, something that not every human being can handle. Although this is a very important holiday, people dont recognize it. Half of the kids in my school dont know what the word veteran mean! And the world takes it as a day off school, or work. I find this highly disrespectful. But i give my thanks to you, heros. God bless you and your family and promise that i do not take you or your hard work for granted!
The Pride of a Veteran
Peter H. Strauss? 11/11/2012
It hasn?t taken 70 or 40 or 10 years for me to feel proud of serving my Country. I felt that pride the moment I took my pledge and was inducted into the United States Army over 40 years ago...
The Pride of a Veteran
Peter H. Strauss? 11/11/2012
It hasn?t taken 70 or 40 or 10 years for me to feel proud of serving my Country. I felt that pride the moment I took my pledge and was inducted into the United States Army over 40 years ago. The problem is my Country just became proud of mea little more than ten years ago. Well, that?s not totally true so I?ll explain:
Our Country our American soil and people was attacked at Pearl Harbor almost seventy years ago and again on September 11th , 2001. In between those years we have fought many times around the world to protect and defend our rights and other peoples rights to live in freedom. But the only times many of our people have consciously felt it was right to do so was when our soil and our lives here were endangered.
American soldiers have often been revered around the world as protectors of freedom. However, the perception of the ?conflict? in Vietnam where so many American and other lives were lost left not many with any sense of pride. Maybe it was too far away, maybe folks just didn?t understand the reasoning for being over there, maybe it was just a time in our Country?s history when people were more mellow and didn?t want us to be involved around the world when we had so many problems in our own countrysound familiar. The result , however, was an intolerance, a disdain, and almost a loathing of those of us who served in our Military during that era. We were a living and in too many cases a deceased memory of policies our government promulgated that were not popular.
Soldiers didn?t feel that way. We were there to serve our Country in the way that our leaders, right or wrong, saw fit to order us. I for one, as a legally naturalized citizen was proud to serve the Country where my parents decided to emigrate. We as soldiers followed orders from our commanders who in turn followed orders from theirs, who followed the will of our politician?s and government. Why? Because we were asked to do so as an obligation to serving our Country almost no question?s asked.
There were very few heroes back then, very few parades, and even fewer ?pats on the back? for a job well done. I?m not bitter, I?m proud. I was then and I am now. But now our people recognize our soldiers for protecting them and their freedom, not someone else?s.
This week in stadiums and events all across our country Veterans will be revered, lauded, and loved. There will be moment?s of silence for those who gave their lives and cheers for those who returned, some damaged, some not. At gatherings all around our country speakers, announcers and entertainers will ask Veterans to rise and thank them for their service. I?ll rise too and bask in the thanks so long coming.Remember: All Gave Some. Some Gave All!
I?m a proud American Veteran.
Appreciation for military Veterans and current arm
Joel Manke, WI
First off I want to say that I was never in the military but Ive had multiple members of my family join the military. My grandfather Alvin Manke was a translator for German POWs in Europe during WWII. His brother Ralph Manke was a medic who landed on...
First off I want to say that I was never in the military but Ive had multiple members of my family join the military. My grandfather Alvin Manke was a translator for German POWs in Europe during WWII. His brother Ralph Manke was a medic who landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. My dad Robert Manke and his brother Richard Manke served in the Air Force in Vietnam and my uncle Tom Fihn served in the army in the 1960s. Also my cousin Robert Manke, son of Richard Manke my cousin joined the Army reserves when he was I believe 17 yrs old while still in High School. In addition to that he continues to serve and protect his family, neighbors and home town in Wisconsin by being a Firefighter.
So now knowing a little bit about my familys military background I would like to say thanks and offer up admiration to my family, to all my friends, co-workers, and most definitely to those that I dont even know. Thanks to those who are freshly enlisted, to those who are currently serving and protecting our great country and are all fighting to protect our freedoms and better our country, for those who already have served and done their time, for those who have been injured, for those of you who did your time and are now retired, and finally and in my opinion most importantly to those who gave their own lives to protect the lives of not only their fellow soldiers but especially for family, friends, and for every single citizen living now and the next generations to enjoy and live in this awesome, free country which is The United States of America, the great country we all live in and that we call home and to be able to enjoy the rights that our veterans fought for and continue to fight for to protect. Thanks to all branches of the military and God Bless you all. Happy veterans day :-
Again I just want to say I am so very proud of my family and everything that they have done serve and protect The United States of America but for me personally that they ensured the freedoms I get to enjoy daily and the ability to pursue a happy and prosperous life. To my family Thank you for your service, time, and sacrifice and to all military veterans so much for making this happen.
I just got home from our Veterans Day Ceremonies at 1100 at Eisenhower Park, Seal Beach, by the pier. I was the MC and we had my American Legion Post 857 and VFW Post 4048 both of Seal Beach who sponsored the ceremonies. We had the Mayor, Mayor Prote...
I just got home from our Veterans Day Ceremonies at 1100 at Eisenhower Park, Seal Beach, by the pier. I was the MC and we had my American Legion Post 857 and VFW Post 4048 both of Seal Beach who sponsored the ceremonies. We had the Mayor, Mayor Protem, a member of the city council and the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Pam Mashon attend. Pam opened the ceremonies and then I took over with the Presentation of the Colors followed by the singing of The Star Spangled Banner, Pledge of Allegiance, POW/MIA Flag presentation and so on. The Color Guard was done by the Southeast County Young Marines and they were very good. It was a wonderful ceremony, lots of people and great weather. Pastor Shoemaker gave the Induction Prayer and Benediction. He is the Seal Beach Police Chaplain. Our Keynote speaker was Congressman Dana Rohrabacher of the 48th District. I always vote for him because he is so supportive of the Veterans. And he always makes our Memorial and Veterans Day Ceremonies. After Taps was played by a young Eagle Scout, the ceremonies were over. It was just a very good thing and I felt so proud being the MC and doing this ceremony for our Veterans now, in the past and veterans to be.
As I write this, I am proudly looking up at a portrait of my father, Tommaso Vinciguerra, born in Italy, sailed to America, became an American Citizen and was in the United States Army during WWI. Yes, the first world war!There he proudly stands in ...
As I write this, I am proudly looking up at a portrait of my father, Tommaso Vinciguerra, born in Italy, sailed to America, became an American Citizen and was in the United States Army during WWI. Yes, the first world war!There he proudly stands in that peculiar outfit wearing knickers, holding his cap in his hand and the American Banner is aloft behind him. Now because my father was educated in a monastery he was of a peaceful nature. So as the story goes, he was asked if he could cook, and when he said of course, he was made a cook, first class, in the 151st Motor Transport Co. I am smiling as I read over his Honorable Discharge in 1919. He was often teased about there being different ways to kill. as an affront to his cooking. But actually my poppa was an excellent cook!! Buon Appetito!! and God Bless America and all who serve her, Amen.
I want to thank all military personnel past and present for supporting this country like I did. I am a Desert Storm Vet. and I am proud to have served
I want to thank all military personnel past and present for supporting this country like I did. I am a Desert Storm Vet. and I am proud to have served
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