I just wanted to say THANK YOU to all of the Veterans out there past and present! If not for you then we would not be able to enjoy this great hobby and so much more! A special one to my Dad Elmer, E 2/11 USMC '66-'67 Vietnam.
Your thanks appreciated by this Viet Nam vet and passed on to those who are serving now and to those who have served.
To my brother in law. I found out this year for the first time. He was a 3 bronze star holder. He has never said a word and I've known him for 60 plus years. You the man John. And to all the others who served.
It seems so impersonal, but it's from the heart..... Thanks to all who served, and those who gave all! God bless every veteran and all serving presently! SDG
I hoisted my colors this morning.. Even though she's a little weather beaten, she still looks good.. For those that have served and still serving, and for those who have fallen, you guys an' gals are the true heros!! Thank you for all you've done!!...
Never forget those past and present.For my dad Ralph Wilcox 2nd LT Army Air Corps,CG_4A glider pilot shot down in south France WW2 lost him in 94.He is missed.
I went across the street and lowered my neighbors to half mast in honor of the fallen, she came out and saluted the flag. I was touched, I am old and hard, not easily touched. This is not a holiday but a day of honor to those who have served us so well. If you have never done so this is you chance, take a vow to never forget.
Thank you very much for serving your country. We appreciate your dedication, respect and honor. May God be with you on all your travels.
Dusty and I just got home from our grand daughter, Madison's Middle School, where Veteran's were the guests of honor. And I do mean honor. There was breakfast, pictures, and an amazing program. Very touching. Makes you proud to live in this country, and to see kids honor Veteran's who made this possible for them to attend school and have a better life. There were songs, an impressive slide show presentation, and a program about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It all made me cry. Willard, MO is a small town and they have a new Memorial for Veteran's, it will be dedicated today. Dusty is a Veteran and I am very proud of him for serving our country, and to all the other Veteran's, those who came home and those who did not make it home. I hope you have a wonderful day, and again Thank You. Wanda
I'm taking time today to honor all who have served. God bless you all. You're a national treasure! I especially want to remember all my family members who have served, because I'm damned proud of them!: John F. - Revolutionary Army John F. - Alamo Defender 1836 William K. - 50th Missouri Volunteers - Civil War 1863-1865 George F. - USN 1923-1925 Will F. - USN 1942-1946 WWII George F. Jr. - USN 1950-1954 Korea Michael Z. - USN 1950-1952 Korea Warren H. - U.S. Army 1962-1970 Vietnam Scott Y. - USN 1986-2006 Desert Storm and my wife, Caroline - USN Corpsman (HM-2) 1984-1992 Desert Storm I taking a little time off of work to attend the Veterans day ceremony in my town. I plan on shaking the hand of every veteran I can find.
As a former U.S. Army Reservist (E-4 Specialist 82C Field Artillery Surveyor) I would like to thank all of our past and present Soldiers, Airmen, Seamen, Marines, Coast Guards and ALL OF THE MILITARY FAMILIES for thier sacrifices. Be sure to thank a militery wife/husband for sleeping alone, so you do not have to.
The Homecoming 18 June 1969: A prominent New York family received a letter from there son, who was a Marine, serving his second tour in Vietnam with a Force Recon Co. The letter said he would be coming home soon, The family was elated. He would be arriving 2 July 1969. The family thought how wonderful !, We'll have a 4<sup>th</sup>. Of July home coming party!,.. Plans were made, and excitement grew. They received a phone call 2 July, There Son said he“was back in the world”, His Mother and Father got on the phone and told him of the plans for the party. There Son was not pleased, In fact he acted a little upset and disappointed. “I was looking forward to just a quiet homecoming, with just the three of us” he said,.. But his parents persisted. But son! They replied, You know we have a lot of friends, and put on a lot of parties, Our friends would expect nothing less !,.. You'll have plenty of time to relax after the party. The young Marine reluctantly agreed,.. but then added. Mom, Dad,.. I have a friend, another Marine, he feels like he has nowhere to go, You have plenty of room at home, Could he stay with us for a while?. The Mother and Father thought that would be perfectly charming, Two returning Marines in there spotless dress blues, at there 4<sup>th</sup>. Of July party. Certainly ! They said,.. He can stay with us until he gets on his feet, and can re-engage in civilian life. The Son was very pleased, He went on and told them, that they were really close friends, In fact his friend was very well liked in there Co., And saved the lives of all his team members once. A hero? His Mother asked. Well some people call him that the Son replied, But he is really uncomfortable with that term. Thats wonderful ! The mother interrupted, You MUST bring him to our party! 1700 hrs. 4 July 1969: The phone rings, The Father picks up the phone, It was there son, He had just got into New York, He calls to the Mother to pick up the extension. Thank goodness your back son ! All the preparations are made for the party, and the guests will be arriving in about an hour,.. as the Mother continued,.. The son interrupted her and said. I have to tell you something,... Remember when I told you about my friend?, How he saved the lives of my team members?,.. The mother cuts in and said “you mean our hero, right”? After a pause the son said “yes”,.... Well, the son went on,.. He got hurt pretty bad that day, ... In fact,... he lost his left eye, And the left side of his face has some scaring, ... Ah,.. And he also lost his left leg and most of his arm. There was a very long, uncomfortable pause that seemed to go on forever. Then the mother broke the silence and said,.. Oh honey !,.. I don't know that we should have him come to the party, ... The father then said, I agree with your mother son,... It would make our guests feel terribly uncomfortable. The Son objected, But we are really close friends, we went through everything together, He really feels like he has nowhere to go. The Father said, I sorry son, but this isn't what we planned for,... I'll tell you what !, Find him a really nice hotel room, and give him some money. We can find him an apartment next week, and we'll help him out until he can find something more permanent. Look Mom and Dad, the Marine begged,.. He has really been looking forward to seeing you, and staying there,.. We have a plan to go into business, something he and I can do together,.. And I know it will work,...... They interrupted him,.. No, were sorry son, But this just couldn't work out, We don't have the facilities to take care of him, And frankly,... we would feel pretty uncomfortable around him our selfs, no matter how nice of a fellow he is. It would really put a kink in our lifestyle. Now go find him a really nice hotel room for the night, get cleaned up, and try to get here soon, our guests will be arriving any time now. The Son said, Is there any way I can talk you into letting me bring him home? You could learn to treat him like another son, If you just gave him a chance,..I know in my heart you would like him,.. He's an awful lot like me in every way. “Not tonight Son” was there reply,.. Take care of your friend, put your dress uniform on, and come home,.. and please hurry,... our gusts are starting to arrive. Alright,... he said pleasantly,... I totally understand..... Then he signed off as he did in all his letters home, “by Mom,.. by Dad,.. I love you both”,.. We love you too son,.. now hurry home ! Was there response. 1800 hrs. Guests are arriving. 1900 hrs. Party in full swing, no guest of Honor. 2100 hrs. Fireworks display, Mom & Dad getting upset. 2300 hrs. Party dieing down, guests slowly leaving, Mom & Dad concerned. 2345 hrs. Guests gone, party over, Mom & Dad think they were stood up, or there son was angry and stayed with his friend. 0200 Hrs. 5 July, 1969 A knock on the door. Excited, but still a little angry, the mother and father jump out of bed and run to the door. On the porch are two figures in blue uniforms, But they aren't Marine dress blues,... They were NYPD blues. The Police confirmed there identity,.. And asked if they were the parents of a Marine,.. and gave his name. There hearts sank and the Father said, yes why ?,... whats wrong ? The Police officer looked at him and said,.. well there is no easy to say this,... But a young Marine was found in a hotel parking lot by the dumpsters, Apparently a gunshot victim. He had Marine Corps Identification on him with this name and address. We need you to identify the body. Uncontrollable grief and tears flowed, as the parents rode in the back of the police car on the way to the morgue. What could have possibly happened ? Was he robbed?, maybe he and his friend got into an argument and he shot him,..... There hearts pounded with each step they took in the bright and cold morgue,... They were escorted into a sterile looking room, There was a body under a white sheet on a stainless steel table, surrounded by the two Policeman and the Coroner,.. they pulled down the blinds in the room,.. and as they pulled back the sheet. They seen, under the bright lights,... the outline of there beloved sons body,.... With his left eye missing,.......and the left side of his face disfigured,..... missing his left leg and most of his arm....... Warriors fight for our Country, which equates to, Us Folks at home, and there Brothers in arms. There ultimate sacrifice,... there scars,... there wounds,... seen and unseen, belong to us,.. you and me. They pay the ongoing price for our freedom, A debt, we cannot pay. Every Warrior that steps off a battlefield, leaves something there. There life, there skin, bone and blood,.. or some of there heart and soul,.... Some of the most disfiguring scars I have ever seen, leave no visible marks. God bless everyone that has ever put on the Uniform of The United States of America.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice. I am a better man because of my time in and I owe that to the fine men and woman that I had the honor to serve with. AT2 USN 2002-2008.
The Jalopy Journal
