Veteran's Day / Remembrance Day

[Leper Messiah]

I wonder if I have work tomorrow. I don't think the schools are closed. Hm.

 

[meltdown75]

:thumbsup: to all our veterans. :thumbsup: to those currently serving.

 

[meltdown75]

i'll bump the thread for the last time @ 11:11am.

my great-grandfather fought in WWI and he lost one of his sons (great uncle) in WWII.

my grandfather was allowed to remain in Canada because he was a farmer, and also because his hearing wasn't the best at the time.

he wanted to go more than anything. he says only about half of his friends made it home.

 

[Lcarvone]

Thank you Vets for all you have done. I am fortunate that none of my family members or those I have known have lost their lives during their service but I sincerely wish those who have a thankful prayer. I am humbled and thankful for your contribution.

 

[Ausm]

Unfortunately you won't get much sympathy or appreciation for vets on this BBS.

I am thankful for all those whose fought to preserve our Freedom.

Ausm

 

[meltdown75]

I did a little bit of reminder reading last night so some of the details are still fresh in my mind.

I highly recommend "The Second World War" by John Keegan. Keegan's books on this topic are fantastic. Sobering and harshly real, but very well-written. Illustrations are also sprinkled nicely throughout.

Some of the images are gripping - particularly one from the German's view of the approaching armada on D-Day @ Omaha beach.

The Americans had a particularly rough time landing - losing nearly 5,000 men on Omaha beach alone. After the first wave, most or all of the officers had been killed or wounded, turning the assault into little more than a rescue operation for the wounded still laying on the beach or in shallow waters at the shore. Out of all the landing zones, the lay of the land at Omaha beach was particularly difficult for an invading amphibious force to gain ground.

Not to mention the relative inexperience of the American pilots dropping paratroopers behind enemy lines. Unlike the Brits, some of the American counterparts became lost in the fog and inclement weather. Many of the paratroopers died when they were mistakenly dropped in the ocean. 🙁

Still yet, others were able to complete some of their objectives and cause major disruption and confusion in the German ranks. Forecasters had convinced the German brass that the weather indicated it was highly unlikely that the Allied forces would invade, causing a more laissez-faire attitude among the enemy at the onset of operation Overlord.

Of course, this is just one small chapter in the history of war. Countless other examples of sacrifice and selflessness abound. It really was a different time.

So many brave people gave their lives for what we have today!

 

[Patt]

Nicely put Melty.

Although no one in my immediate family is a veteran, several good friends are, or have lost someone in the line of duty.

 

[meltdown75]

11th day, 11th hour, 11th month.

60 years ago today.

Today is Remembrance Day.

As we all know, 2005 is the year of the Veteran. As we observe a moment of silence, each of us will reflect in our own way - perhaps thinking of a husband or sister, a friend or family member that never returned home, perhaps praying for the safety of a soldier and loved one currently deployed overseas.

Take the time to thank a hero. We owe a great debt to the men and women who fought for our country - one that can only be repaid through acts of remembrance, honour, celebration and learning.

Please observe a moment of silence to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.

*silence*

thanks for reading & sharing to those who contributed.

 

[allisolm]

My grandfather served in the Navy in WWI.
My father served in what is now the Air Force in WWII.
My uncle served 30 years in the Air Force.
My father-in-law served 31 years in the Army, fighting in both WWII and Korea.
My brother served in the Air Force in Vietnam as did one brother-in-law.
My husband served 20 years in the Army.

"It wasn't always easy, and it wasn't always fair,
but when freedom called
we answered.
We were there."

I thank them all.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: allisolm
My grandfather served in the Navy in WWI.
My father served in what is now the Air Force in WWII.
My uncle served 30 years in the Air Force.
My father-in-law served 31 years in the Army, fighting in both WWII and Korea.
My brother served in the Air Force in Vietnam as did one brother-in-law.
My husband served 20 years in the Army.

"It wasn't always easy, and it wasn't always fair,
but when freedom called
we answered.
We were there."

I thank them all.

Thanks allisolm. And thanks to your family too. :thumbsup:

 

[Feldenak]

In the spirit of allisolm' very appropriate post:

My paternal grandfather served in the Army in WWII
My maternal grandfather served in the Army Air Corps in WWII
My father served in the Army in Vietnam
The Infantry didn't want me when I graduated HS in 1992 b/c of my eyeglasses and flat feet.
My little brother currently serves in the Army

I have hopes of one day taking my father and brother and following my paternal grandfather's path across Europe (from his drop on D-Day to the end of the war).

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

To continue the trend:

My paternal grandfather served in the Air Force and Navy
My maternal grandfather served in the Navy
My father served in the Air Force
My uncle served in the Air Force
My aunt served in the Air Force
My uncle (different one) served in the Navy
My sister is currently serving in the Air Force
Myself - currently Army


To everyone who has served, past or present.

 

[iamwiz82]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/11/11/vanishing.vets.ap/index.html

Fascinating article about the few remaining WWI vets still alive.

I'm shocked that the last Civil War vet. died in 1958! Can you imagine the changes he witnessed in the world?

 

[Armitage]

My grandfather flew in WWII and an uncle served in the Air Force Vietnam. I spent 4 years in the Air Force myself.
Here's to the rest of the vets & active duty out there - this ones for the Air Force from a Spitfire pilot.

High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
No 412 squadron, RCAF
Killed 11 December 1941

http://www.deltaweb.co.uk/spitfire/hiflight.htm

 

[meltdown75]

Great link iamwiz82.

to everyone that posts in here - thanks for coming in.

i really don't know why it affects me so much anymore - i am genuinely moved when reading war stories and just plain riveted when reading the accounts of veterans.

 

[nakedfrog]

I'm a third generation vet, at least, I'm not sure if it goes back further or not. I was USAF, as were both parents. Both grandfathers served... my mom's dad made it through WWII and the Korean war, only to go down on the Edmund Fitzgerald, four days before my sister was born, and two years before I was born, so we never knew him. I've been scanning in pics from his WWII cruise album.

 

[shimsham]

sad thing is many people, mostly younger, just dont get it, or even know why they are off of school. prime example happened last night when i was in cvs.

~17yo boy, working the register- man, we are busy tonight.
~35yo man, customer in front of me- yeah. you got homework tonight for school tomorrow?
boy- no, we are out of school tomorrow.
man- really? tomorrows friday.
kid- yeah, but its some kind of holiday and we are off.
man- holiday?
me- yes, its veterans day.
man and boy- confused look at each other.

govt. offices, schools, and banks are closed around here. my step father served in vietnam and was very active in the DAV and VFW while i was growing up. we attended the local veterans day services every year. now i take my children, tho we have to skip it this year as they are both sick. we must never forget the commitment and sacrifices made by the men and women who serve.