Counting son-in-laws I have five kids in uniform. My thanks for the support and my gra***ude to all who serve.
I used to get twisted on Vets day so I could forget. Now I stay straight so I can remember. Some brave, some not, all giving the ultimate for Freedom's sake. As long as I draw breath none will be forgotten.
..........I don't agree with the situation in Iraq, I didn't agree with the Viet Nam war. A Lakota chief once said,"If the white man fought like the red man, he wouldn't be in such a hurry to go to war! With the red man, the sons of the leaders are the first into battle..." Thankfully, I didn't have to go to Viet Nam. I always gave thanks for those who did, but not going, I just had no idea. I never had an interest in seeing the Viet Nam Memorial. Several years ago, on a visit to DC, we walked over and looked at it. I haven't been the same since. Walking it's length.....seeing ALL of those names and realizing that each one was a person in the prime of their lives. They had mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, kids.........I have a knot in my throat and tears streaming as I type this, and as "lilbill" so well stated, there are THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS that paid a price and survived. They have to live with that "experience" every day. With all they gave, I can't begin to imagine how painful it is to see it repeated? I don't support the war or the reasons behind it. I DO support the troops and the veterans and thank them from the bottom of my heart. Instead of just waving a flag a couple days a year and feeling all warm & fuzzy, I hope and pray that more guys like "lilbill" will kick us in the teeth with a good dose of reality and MAKE us take responsibility for the price others have paid............ God bless the veterans......past, present and future!
Our local, whatever the hell channel it is, WFTV 6 decided not to show Saving Private Ryan tonight. It is being shown by the network, uncut, all around the country. They're afraid of the FCC, I can't say I really blame 'em considering the climate we're living in. But I wish they would have had the guts to show it. It takes a lot less guts to show the movie than the guts portrayed by the men in that film. Welcome to the pussification of America.
[ QUOTE ] i'm a disabled vietnam vet and since some of you guys are in a patriotic mood i want to point out something. while everybody is waving the flag and *** kissing the troops and letting bush throw away the lives of thousands of our children so his oil buddies can make more money... [/ QUOTE ] I served in two branches of the military and fortunately never had to serve in battle..., but I've seen many of my friends suffer from budget cuts that have been happening since the "Carter" administration...! I partially agree with lilbil and we need to step up to the plate for their sacrifices...! Hang in there "lilbil" this goes way beyond the current President and his policies but this is a good place to start...! (Heck..., my friends were ready for a "Clinton" mutiney while serving under his administration..! )
Lil...I joined the usaf to keep from being drafted and sent to the jungle... kept me alive and with all my body parts, but I still have an intense hatred of war....I love my country....it's the politicians I despise...they are all the same....money grubbing *****s....I don't know ANY group of people in this country more deserving of excellent healthcare than the war vets...and they don't get ****. How can the govt pay for *** changes on convicted felons and let the vets just live in pain?...I'm proud to be a vet and American...but terribly ashamed of my gov't and disgusted at the way the world thinks we are losers.
my understanding is that in Australia all vets get a 'goldcard' thats the best all the way... my grandfather p***ed on, and his widow my grandmother gets it all now, which considering he hit the ground at 60, and she is well into her 80's is great. I feel for you people in the US in general your health care is all ****ed up for all the taxes etc you pay you get ****, and it looks like your up for another 4 years of it. Go the ANZAC's they are the spirit of war for Aussie and NZ people. Wars nothing to make into a glory situation, but I am thankful to each and every person who did their part, it ****ed up a lot of people and they didnt get a thing for their efforts. But we got our freedom.
Jerry, I agree. Can't we leave the campaigning out of this thread. I'm the son of a veteran and I'll tell you that my dad recieved good care (he was wheelchair bound the last 5 years of his life) and my father-in- law was a vet who was cared for by the VA before he died and both never complained about their medical treatment. If you think anything will change by a political party change in Washington you've had your head in the sand because the vets have been treated the same through administrations from both sides of the isle. It makes a good campaign subject. PERIOD!!! Now with that aside, I'd like to add my respect and humble thanks to anyone who has put on the uniform of the United States. There is no way we can ever repay you in money or care to cover your sacrifice. You'll have to accept out gra***ude and undieing love for what you did. We still live in the greatest country on earth and if that's not you belief also I invite you to change it or find another location more suited to your religious and political, and economic standards. God Bless all of our Veterans!! Frank
The Jalopy Journal
