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.
Ninety years ago, on November 11th at five oclock in the morning, in a railway carriage in France, the Armistice between the Allies and Germany was signed, thus agreeing to stop hostilities six hours later. Consequently at 11:00am, or the 11th hour ...
Ninety years ago, on November 11th at five oclock in the morning, in a railway carriage in France, the Armistice between the Allies and Germany was signed, thus agreeing to stop hostilities six hours later. Consequently at 11:00am, or the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the guns of the First World War fell silent.
The First World War had left nearly 20 million military and civilian dead, at least that many wounded, and Europe nearly buried under rubble. The war to end all wars was over. However, then there was the Second World War and the Korean War, so November 11th, originally known as Armistice Day, became known as Veterans Day as of 1954. A day we now use to honor all who have served our country, especially those who have given their last full measure.
For those who have served in our military, Veterans Day is a day that reminds them of the friends they served with, those they fought with, and those that didnt come home. For the families of fallen service members they are reminded of their loss and grieve for their hero. Families with soldiers, sailors, airmen or marines currently serving on active duty will reflect on their current status, and Blue Star Mothers hope and pray that they will not join the ranks of the Gold Star Mothers.
Our current military is unique in the fact that it is an all-volunteer force. Any soldier, sailor, airman or marine who is currently serving, willingly raised their hand and said they would serve; and if need be, give their life for our country. This special group of patriots is typical of all who have fought when our country has asked for their service. Whether it was World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, or the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers have had a choice to make. They could answer the call to serve, or the draft demand to serve if there was one at the time, or they could ignore the call and hide from their duty. This choice speaks volumes about the men and women of our U.S. military. This choice is about honor. Honor demanded they accept the call, and in honor, most answered the call.
This Veterans Day let us return that honor. Let us reach out to the Veterans in our midst and thank them for their service in defense of our country. Let us reach out to families of deployed heroes and stand beside them in support of their loved one who is in harms way. Let us reach out to the families of the fallen heroes and thank them for their sacrifice in preserving our freedom.
This Veterans Day let us return that honor by being worthy of the gift of freedom that each and every Veteran has fought to defend and protect.
The following is a poem I wrote in honor the many friends who served in the Vietnam War.
INTO THE NAM
by Jonathan Holmes
Into the Nam went the 9th Marines,
on a beach at Da Nang they stormed ashore.
Getting used to C-Rats and cold canned beans,
they were ready to die for the honor of the Corps.
It was still '65 when some others landed,
like "The Herd" and "The Big Red One."
Sent to Bien Hoa and An Khe they banded,
"Tropic Lightning", "Screaming Eagles", each by the ton.
Back in The World there was less to fear,
for nothing was as bad as a day in The Nam.
Trench Foot; Kraits; and ALICE pack gear,
were first to unnerve even the calm.
On patrol in the bush was a bad time for all,
with punji stakes, toe poppers, and trip wires around.
Grunts looked for Charlie with many a close call,
tough going near Cu Chi where tunnels abound.
Riding a Huey into a Hot LZ,
1st Cavalry did meet the NVA.
M-60s and Bloopers made noise near Plei Me,
and the valley called Ia Drang was red that day.
F-4 Phantoms flying low level strikes,
began what was called the Rolling Thunder.
Ho Chi Minh Trail resorted to bikes,
which made the Gooks start to wonder.
Dust Off missions usually saved the day,
when the Viet Cong did their worst.
Medivac Choppers only a few klicks away,
extracted the wounded who needed help first.
Brown Water Navy patrolled the Mekong,
especially the Rung Sat Special Zone.
Most hoped they wouldn't be too long,
as the Swift Boat's engine continued to drone.
Summer of '67 saw heavy fighting at Con Thien,
in the north on the edge of the DMZ.
Green Berets and "Cidgees" had been over-run,
and for miles NVA was all the Marines could see.
By the time most had the thousand-yard stare,
thoughts of their DEROS date had been stirred.
Thirty days and a wake-up their only care,
short-timers waited for the Freedom Bird.
The taking of the hill numbered 875,
was a job that was given to the 173rd.
November near Dak To - not many alive,
but cries of wounded can still be heard.
The Five O'Clock Follies in the city of Saigon,
could not explain the massive build-up.
Many a coffin being made by the Cong,
would help to bring their courage up.
Recon and Rangers could see it coming,
the SEALs and SOGs saw it too.
The NVA and VC were up to something,
then in '68 it all came true.
For 77 days around Khe Sanh,
the Marines kept fighting so bitterly.
The Tet Offensive had barely begun,
at Lang Vei was left only Willoughby.
Fighting for the Citadel in the city of Hue,
how many really died - none can tell.
Suicide Squads hit Saigon during the day,
and even the U.S. Embassy almost fell.
By May '69 they were at Hill 937,
up in the A Shau Valley highland.
The 101st fought hard 'till day 11,
later Hamburger Hill was just abandoned.
More Cherry LTs and FNGs,
were unsafe for others while In Country.
Humpin' through jungles, daring not to sneeze,
'till a sniper would zap 'em from the trees.
In late '72 most things had gone sour,
and Grunts just tried stayin' alive.
General Abrams you see, had lost all his power,
and the South did what it could to survive.
Nixon had decided that we would slowly pull out,
our allies didn't need us anymore.
Winning the war was now in doubt,
as politicians wanted us out of the war.
The fall of Saigon was a great big mess,
it had come in April of '75.
Many returning Vets were treated as less,
most thought they were lucky just to be alive.
People now know that the War is over,
except for the night-fright here and there.
For the Vietnam Vet it's no roll in the clover,
when you've been through Hell and there're few who care.
Many good men have their name on The Wall,
who gave their lives far away in The Nam.
Remember the Vet who answered the call,
when you see him - extend him your palm.
Lastly, I'd like to leave you with this thought written on a C-Rations case by a U.S. Marine:
"For those that will fight for it, freedom has a flavor the protected shall never know."
-- LCpl Edwin L. Craft, USMC
Bravo Co, 3rd Anti-Tank Battalion "Ontos"
Khe Sanh Combat Base, Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam.
(During the "Tet Offensive" - February, 1968)
For my Grandfather whom shed tears when they would not allow him re-join the military shortly after 7 Dec. 1941 because of his age. For my Dad whom in 1950 served with the 3rd battalion of the 32nd Inf. Reg. Which made it to the Yalu river and back ...
For my Grandfather whom shed tears when they would not allow him re-join the military shortly after 7 Dec. 1941 because of his age. For my Dad whom in 1950 served with the 3rd battalion of the 32nd Inf. Reg. Which made it to the Yalu river and back only after assisting with the liberation of Soule. For my Uncle whom served with Fox-Two-Seven at the Chosin Resevoir. I want to express sincere appreciation for your patriotic contributions and for establishing an honorable family lineage of service members. I would like to add a sincere regret in knowing that we have another elected to be Commander In Chief whom has never served in the US Armed Forces. And this time, I fear more than anytime before. That the American way I grew up knowing, may be gone for ever.
Happy Veterans Day to all those past and present! I currently serve in the Marine Corps and have for the last 10 years. I love what I do as an infantryman and I would not want it any other way. I have the utmost respect for those that have fought bef...
Happy Veterans Day to all those past and present! I currently serve in the Marine Corps and have for the last 10 years. I love what I do as an infantryman and I would not want it any other way. I have the utmost respect for those that have fought before us and not came home and for those that made it back and those that are still fighting the fight. I have lost many that were great friends and laid their life on the line without thought of consequences. I will join my brothers soon again overseas to help with this fight. There is no greater feeling then knowing what you do makes a difference in many lives. There are people that call us crazy and don't believe in the war but had it not been for all the Vets and those doing it now they could not have those thoughts about it, therefore I respect them as well because deep inside they know they think about us on this day.
Everyday of my life I remember a friend who gave his life for freedom, for that he received the medal of honor, and his family a flag.
I have authored the following in his remembrance and for another young man that I had never met while serving in t...
Veterans Day means more to me than anyone could think not only because I'm a Vet. but my brother was to. He was killed in 1997 in an accident at his work on Veterans Day. Instead of honoring the Vets we remembered my brother for what he was. He was t...
Veterans Day means more to me than anyone could think not only because I'm a Vet. but my brother was to. He was killed in 1997 in an accident at his work on Veterans Day. Instead of honoring the Vets we remembered my brother for what he was. He was the best there was, helping anyone who needed help and just being there. There is not a day that goes by that I remember the loss and the big whole in my heart. My heart goes out to the families and the Veterans in our armed forces. May God Bless.
I am a veteran. However, like many others who serve, I find myself in awe of those who have served before. To me, they've done so much more than I. I was deployed a few years ago, not long after the current Iraq and Afghan war had started. I was stat...
I am a veteran. However, like many others who serve, I find myself in awe of those who have served before. To me, they've done so much more than I. I was deployed a few years ago, not long after the current Iraq and Afghan war had started. I was stationed at a base that the wounded and deceased were sent to from the AOR. Since I work in the Fuels shop, I was sitting behind an aircraft that had just arrived, and was open-mouthed in awe as I watched ambulance after ambulance back up to the plane, and off-load wounded soldiers. I was close enough to see their faces. Once all the wounded were off the plane, I was directed into position to refuel the aircraft, and I then noticed, on the cargo bay floor, several flag-draped caskets. I sat there, in tears, realizing the sacrifices some make in the service of their country.
It's hard for me to consider myself an equal with such men and women. I've had to make so little sacrifice, comparatively. I admire and revere the men and women who have served before me, from the Revolutionary War to the present. That night, behind that cargo plane, made me understand what a veteran really is.
What Veteran?s Day Means to Me
Veteran?s day is a day showing respect to the veterans in our country. It?s so
important because the veterans are risking their lives for us, and we need to show that we
don?t take advantage of that.
When I wa...
What Veteran?s Day Means to Me
Veteran?s day is a day showing respect to the veterans in our country. It?s so
important because the veterans are risking their lives for us, and we need to show that we
don?t take advantage of that.
When I was in 3rd grade my teacher assigned us to write letters to the veterans. I was excited to receive letters from the soldier I wrote to. I felt that it was so important to write to these veterans because they don?t really talk to their families and it?s special for us to write to them. It actually is the least we can do to help the veterans for serving our country. There are so many people fighting in the army for freedom. We?ve got it, but other countries don?t.
When your at home watching TV or eating your meals, think about the veterans and that we wouldn?t be doing what we?re doing now if it wasn?t for them. Another example is when you?re saying your prayers before bedtime or whenever you pray to put them in your prayers. I even now just realize that I should be doing that. I feel guilty that not even one day of 2007 I prayed for the veterans.
My great grandpa was in World War 2 and he survived. He was a flightier pilot. My grandpa is so cool and I am thankful that he is still alive. We all feel sorry when people pass away in the army, and we aren?t really thankful for the ones who are alive.
Veteran?s day is a day of memories for many Americans. Veterans should be kept in mind forever and ever. They are important in the the past, present, and will be FOREVER important.
My father served in the US Army during WWII; he served with an all-black unit with distinction. He was colorblind as far as the racial discrimination in the armed forces were concerned; he felt that people should be judged on their character and not...
My father served in the US Army during WWII; he served with an all-black unit with distinction. He was colorblind as far as the racial discrimination in the armed forces were concerned; he felt that people should be judged on their character and not by the color of their skin. His meritorious service inspired me to enlist in the military in 1975. Thus Veteran Day is the day when we honor our valiant men in uniform as well as the ones who have protected these shores.
We can do this by remembering the unsung veterans who gave their lives for the freedoms we have. Also, we can ensure that those freedoms will be cherish by future generations and for posterity. It is with grave privilege that I salute not only my father, but also the men and women who have protected this great country of ours from tyranny and war.
Well, I sat on at home on Veterans Day.I thought about all the men and women that have severed in all the conflicts around the world that were on the frontline and those that would not come home to rest. Anyone who servered that was not sent into act...
Well, I sat on at home on Veterans Day.I thought about all the men and women that have severed in all the conflicts around the world that were on the frontline and those that would not come home to rest. Anyone who servered that was not sent into action, was not their fault. It was because, the military did not send them there. I did not see action, I spent time in Germany,The Azories,went to Iceland,back to states side then, went to the PI on an Emergincy War Evac. of South Viet Nam. I wanted to go like alot of the men and women that were with me there, but, Higher Command
would not let us go. I was close, but no cigar. I servered from 1971-1978. In the U.S.Air Force. C-130 aircraft.
I was hoping to spend Veterans Day with my Wonderful Wife, but, She past away on Nov.3, 2007.
So, I spent it alone at home. When, my dad was alive, I thanked him for serving. My Dad enlisted in the Army and was sent to Paris, Tx. for Boot Camp. My dad was a Free Bleeder. While my Dad was in Boot Camp he got sick and had to be operated on.He told the doctor's there that he was a Bleeder. The doctor he was going to operate anyway, and My dad said, call my doctor back home. The Doctor did and the next the my dad knew, was that he was being discharged. He was classified as "CDD "which means( Can't Do Duty). My dad wanted to go and do his duty, but, it was not to be. Not his fault. My dad found out later after the WWII was over,that all the men that my dad was with in Boot Camp died on the Beaches on D-Day.
My Uncles serviered.I know my uncle that lives in Fontana, Ca. fought in Germany. My Grandmother said that he was wounded.This may sound strange, but, she had visions, and, she saw him get wounded. My dad said, that my Uncle Richard was wounded, but, would not talk about it or show his medals. I respected his wishes and did not ask.
I thanked my son for Serving in the Military.
I just wanted to let all those that servered in battle or not. Thank You for Your Duty. You are all My Hero's.
I lost a cousin in Nam. He was on his way to meet up with his older brother,when, he was shot in the head by a sniper.He was and still is a Marine. His older Brother was and is a Marine. Just because a man or woman don't get sent into action, doesn't mean they aren't Vet's.
Thanks To All of You who did your duty!!
William B. Cheney, Jr.
404 Southmore Dr.
Conroe, Texas 77301
email:cobrabil@consolidated.net
P.S.: If any of the guys that I was stationed with in Little Rock,Ar., Dyess AFB,TX., Korat,Thailand, Thank You for the great times we had.
At the time I served in the Navy, we didn't have any options. Every young man over the age of 18 was drafted or enlisted in the military service. We were taught that we were given the freedom we enjoy but we were required to give something back. I...
At the time I served in the Navy, we didn't have any options. Every young man over the age of 18 was drafted or enlisted in the military service. We were taught that we were given the freedom we enjoy but we were required to give something back. I did as did all of the male members of my graduating high school class. Some went to war, I fortunately did not. I served on a ship at sea and went wherever the ship went.
Sunday, I spent teaching Civil Air Patrol Cadets about First Aid, CPR and the need for their service to our community and our state. Not very glamorous for a holiday but we all had a good time doing it.
As a young soldier back in 1966 I was given a book that contained the Codes Of Conduct. The one that has stuck with me from then until now is this one.
I AM AN AMERICAN FIGHTING MAN I SERVE IN THE FORCES THAT GUARD MY COUNTRY AND IT'S WAY OF LIFE...
As a young soldier back in 1966 I was given a book that contained the Codes Of Conduct. The one that has stuck with me from then until now is this one.
I AM AN AMERICAN FIGHTING MAN I SERVE IN THE FORCES THAT GUARD MY COUNTRY AND IT'S WAY OF LIFE, I AM PREPARED TO GIVE MY LIFE IN THEIR DEFENSE.
Although I survived 2 tours of duty in Vietnam I will never forget the ones who gave their all on the ALTAR OF FREEDOM. They gave their lives for our freedom.
To all my brothers and sisters of the U S Army, Marines, Navy, Airforce, and Coast Guard who have served in all the wars from WWI, WWII, KOREA, VIETNAM, COLD WAR, DESERT STORM, AND NOW THE WAR AGAINST TERRORISM I THANK YOU ALL AND SALUTE YOU FOR YOUR SELFLESS SACRIFICES IN PROTECTING THE FREEDOM OF OUR GREAT NATION THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MAY SHE ALWAYS EMBRACE ALL OF US VETERANS AND NEVER FORGET THAT WE LOVE IT SO AND ARE PREPARED TO DIE IF NECESSARY TO PROTECT IT'S FREEDOM. MAY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER BLESS ALL OF YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES IS MY HUMBLE PRAYER. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND MAY HER FREEDOM RING ALWAYS AND FOREVER. AMEN
PASTOR JOHNNY D. DURAN
Veterans Day mean so much to me, I always pray for the veterans at heaven and the ones fighting for us right now. I was in Iraq from April 2003 until April 2004 and the experienced are unforgettable. My parents are extremely proud of me.
Today I...
Veterans Day mean so much to me, I always pray for the veterans at heaven and the ones fighting for us right now. I was in Iraq from April 2003 until April 2004 and the experienced are unforgettable. My parents are extremely proud of me.
Today I spend veterans Day at the Mimai Dolphins game. I won a ticket from the VA at West Palm Beach and attended the game, it was awesome to see all the branches together, the different uniforms at the field and when they opened this huge American flag, the flag was the shape of the United States it was beautiful!!! My husband and kids love to hear from strangers, once they know that it's me the veteran, how brave mom is. At the Miami Dolphins Stadium the announcer asked for all the Veterans to stand up, and when I did, the ones that were not veterans was telling me thank you; I was overwhelmed. GOD BLESS ALL OUR VETERANS, AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Proud Retired Army
SFC Marisol Lozada
THANK'S To each of the Proud Brave men and women who sacrificed their all to insure that we can live in the land of the free. You gave your all to us and embarked into the battles and endured the unbelievable hardships to ensure freedom for all as yo...
THANK'S To each of the Proud Brave men and women who sacrificed their all to insure that we can live in the land of the free. You gave your all to us and embarked into the battles and endured the unbelievable hardships to ensure freedom for all as you left your families to defend what you believe. Thank you to those serving today in Iraq and where ever you are stationed. My thoughts and prayers are with you each day. My father WWII-USN Retired, Uncles, cousins, brother, Husband, 2nd cousins, and many friends. I thank you and salute you and all that you have had to do to ensure Freedom.
I am attending an educators conference in Tennessee right now. I am sad that it is being held on this day. It began today and runs through Wednesday. I was on a crowded elevator today and asked the bellman where the parade would be. Another man asked...
I am attending an educators conference in Tennessee right now. I am sad that it is being held on this day. It began today and runs through Wednesday. I was on a crowded elevator today and asked the bellman where the parade would be. Another man asked "what parade". A woman said "Veteran's Day". The man said,"It's not Veterans Day". We all assured him it is. I was appalled and disappointed to know that so many of our highly educated Americans have no clue that it is an important holiday.
I am still very sad today, as I attend the sessions today... I am really thinking of my veterans in my family; living ones - husband- Army, 2 sister-in laws- Army & Navy, father-in-law - WWII Army, Uncle - WWII Air Force, brother - Air Force, and those no longer with us: Dad - WWII Navy, mother-in-law - Army, Grandfather - WWI Army, Uncle Marines. It makes me feel better honoring them here, where I know they will always be appreciated.
God Bless you all.
I served for 12 years in the Mass. Army National Guard.
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