11-11-11. For the people that were there to make it happen and understand the significance of this day, THANK you! There is precious few of you left! For the ones that followed in their footsteps, thank you too! For the ones that have no clue why this is a holiday, go on-line and find OUT what the big deal is! I just wanted to be 'first' to Thank ALL vets for their service. 11th day, the 11th month, the 11th hour, one pen and document. A war was over.... This is too BIG to only have ONE day! Let's shower them all WEEK!
Unfortunately I believe the last remaining WWI veteran, Frank Buckles, died earlier this year. But there are still WWII vets around that could use an attaboy.
I work at the Veterans hospital in Houston and I'm cruising my T up there for a bit. I'm working in the prosthetics department and it's both sad and wonderful what I see every day. Sad because they lost limbs, but wonderful what technology is doing for these folks. As a vet myself, I go home everyday happy that I helped a little.
" You haven't lived until you've almost died.For those who have fought for it, life has a meaning the protected will never know. " semper fi
I 'share' this each year. This is the first time I've put it here, because I only recently joined. Several years ago, I was watching a parade. I was standing next to a guy with a Navy cap on. As a marching band went past, He 'Snapped to Attention' and saluted that Flag that the color guard was carrying. The 'Major' STOPPED the parade! He turned the band to the man, said " THIS is for YOU"!, The band played the Navy theme song as the man stood at attention. The Major saluted the man and the parade continued. I almost MELTED!! It brings tears to my eyes just 'remembering' the day!
I work for a company that has a fleet of WC vans. We haul them to 'you'. Not really, but your counterparts. I've been in this line of work for 23 years now. I know what you are saying...
I am a vet of 44years and the ,,Thank You means alot to all of us that have served in what ever branch of the service . Lastchanceranch,,Thanks for the thought.
As a Veteran,[third generation],I wish there was more people that remembered ALL Veterans EVERY DAY!!!Lastchanceranch;I Love that story!!! "GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS" and "GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS"!!!! ROY.
You don't see stuff like this enough anymore. When my Brother passed away there was a lot more support from the community than I ever thought possible. Heck on Veterans Day the citty is dedicating a bench at the park we all played at as kids. I wish I knew the man in the picture, because on the drive to the Cemetery he was the only one to stop, pop tall and slute the whole funeral procession.
The thing to take away from World War I, was that France and Germany duked it out for three years before the USA went over. They were both worn out, and the fresh US troops were too much for Germany to handle. They just surrendered in droves, or were vaporized under some of the largest artillery shells ever to land on a battlefield. In the end, the Germans and French lost 9 million men dead, and 21 million maimed and wounded. Serbia and Romania had 10% of population killed, France and Germany about 4%. The USA was able to reach Belgium in less than a year, with only 115k killed (I say only, in the sense of the millions on the other Armies). The size of the American cemetery at Romagne is unbelievable at 23k, you can imagine what 9 million dead would cover in acreage. American Cemetery at Romagne
We lost our Great Uncle at the Battle for Fresnoy, France. Our Uncle was wounded and captured in the ill fated landing at Dieppe, France. My father served in WWII. My brother and I both Viet Nam vets. Thank you to all our vets from all the free countries of the world.
My Dad was in World War I but could never talk about it. My brother and I both served. Our families are proud of our service. Here's a toast to all who have served our great nation. To the fallen, may you rest in peace. To those who are still with us, Thank You!
Thanks to all that served and still are. It happens to be my dad's birthday also and he served as well, very cool!!
My father-in-law was in the combined Canada/U.S. First Special Service Force in World War 2. Like your dad he never talked about his war experience until near the end of his life. It was like he had to get it out before he moved on. Thank you to all those who served so we can enjoy freedom. Thank you for posting this, it is so important.
A BIG thanks to all who have served! Author unknown . . . He was getting old and paunchy And his hair was falling fast, And he sat around the Legion, Telling stories of the past. Of a war that he once fought in And the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies; They were heroes, every one. And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors His tales became a joke, All his buddies listened quietly For they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, For old Bob has passed away, And the world's a little poorer For a Soldier died today. He won't be mourned by many, Just his children and his wife. For he lived an ordinary, Very quiet sort of life. He held a job and raised a family, Going quietly on his way; And the world won't note his passing, 'Tho a Soldier died today. When politicians leave this earth, Their bodies lie in state, While thousands note their passing, And proclaim that they were great. Papers tell of their life stories From the time that they were young But the passing of a Soldier Goes unnoticed, and unsung. Is the greatest contribution To the welfare of our land, Someone who breaks his promise And cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow Who in times of war and strife, Goes off to serve his country And offers up his life? The politician's stipend And the style in which he lives, Are often disproportionate, To the service that he gives. While the ordinary Soldier, Who offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal And perhaps a pension, small. It is not the politicians With their compromise and ploys, Who won for us the freedom That our country now enjoys. Should you find yourself in danger, With your enemies at hand, Would you really want some cop-out, With his ever waffling stand? Or would you want a Soldier-- His home, his country, his kin, Just a common Soldier, Who would fight until the end? He was just a common Soldier, And his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us We may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict, We find the Soldier's part Is to clean up all the troubles That the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor While he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage At the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline In the paper that might say: "OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."
Hats off to all Vets!! My dad was born just two months after that paper was signed. Then fought in WWII. Always liked to take him to the Armistice Day parade in Porterville.
The Jalopy Journal
