Honoring Our Military: A Veterans Day Tribute

[chefann]

I know this post should have been yesterday, but we're still OK because today is the day that there's no mail.

Happy Veterans Day​

And thank you to all veterans, active servicemen and women, and military spouses.

Take a moment today to hug a member of the military. If you don't know one, go to Let's Say Thanks and send a card to one (or several!).

 

[PamperedChefDebi]

Thank you Ann. And thank you to all my fellow veterans and military spouses.

 

[quiverfull7]

Thanks to each one of you Veteran's and your families! You all sacrifice for us and we apprecitate you!

 

[chefkristin]

THANKYOU!!! More than you will ever know!!

 

[vwpamperedchef]

Aww such a sweet post Ann, thank you!

I will pass the thanks to my husband...

He marched in the NYC parade yesterday, and isnt it pathetic, it was not even televised. (The Columbus day parade was televised, but not for our vets!)

 

[Ginger428]

Bless each & everyone of them......THEY Deserve it!:love:

 

[janetupnorth]

Thanks guys!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Thank You to All Our Military Personnel, and their families who are also making a sacrifice for our country.

And special love to my brother and his family ~ serving the USA at Quantico.

 

[legacypc46]

thank you!

leggy
(army veteran)

 

[Geekgirl69]

Thank you to all who serve our country!

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

I would like to just take a moment to say thanks to a special veteran - a member of the 2nd Marines in WWII, a deadly sharpshooter, a veteran of several island invasions but one of the most gentle, patient and caring men I've ever had the pleasure to have known. He also cut quite a handsome figure in his dress blues, Pfc. J.C. Manning 1911-1976.Thanks, Dad, I'm very proud of you.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I would like to just take a moment to say thanks to a special veteran - a member of the 2nd Marines in WWII, a deadly sharpshooter, a veteran of several island invasions but one of the most gentle, patient and caring men I've ever had the pleasure to have known. He also cut quite a handsome figure in his dress blues, Pfc. J.C. Manning 1911-1976.

Thanks, Dad, I'm very proud of you.

Just a comment - I think that "The Greatest Generation" and it's follow-up book, "The Greatest Generation Speaks" both by Tom Brokow, are two of the most moving books I have ever read. If anyone hasn't read them, I would encourage you to do so - it will forever change the way you view all those Vets in Parades, at Memorials, and even your own parents and grandparents.
Incredible ~ just Incredible.

 

[astavnes]

Thank you so much for all that you do...it means so much to my family and I.


Ann thank you for posting the Let's Say Thanks link...what a great idea.

 

[MORFIA]

thank will pass on to retired HUBBY---

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

Some time ago, I stopped at a fast food restaurant and sitting in a booth was an older gentleman, a young woman and a young child. It appeared that Grandpa was with his granddaughter and great-grandchild. He was wearing a bright red ball cap with big, embroidered gold letters that spelled out, "USMC."I stopped and said, "Excuse me, Sir, but were you with the 2nd Marines in WWII?" His granddaughter looked concerned, almost shocked, as to what I was doing.He shook his head and said, "No, I was in the 1st but I was in the Pacific.""So was my dad," I told him. I stood erect and said to him, "Thank you for serving and helping to preserve my way of life." I saluted.His face flushed and a big smile came across his face. He saluted back and said, "You're very welcome and it was my pleasure!"I shook his hand - and as I left, I glanced at his granddaughter who had a look of complete shock on her face. He was grinning like a school kid.Thanks, veterans, where ever you are and where ever you served. It matters not if you were under fire overseas, in a submarine, in the air or a clerk at Benjamin Harrison, you all had a job to do and you did it.

 

[J.Corley]

I love seeing how some Americans care for our military! I especially appreciate the nod to the family. My grandfather was a pilot in WWII and was shot on a rescue mission to recover soldiers shot down in the craft. He died a hero I never knew.
My husband served for almost nine years in active duty and continues in the reserve unit. A year in Iraq was the hardest thing any of us had to do! It truly changed us for life. My husband will be scared both physically and mentally from that year in Sadr City.
Again thany you to all Veterans and their families! Family pays the price along side the soldier!
God Bless you for your sacrifices!

 

[raebates]

I appreciate the sacrifices made by all veterans through the years, including those who are still in uniform. Thank you.BTW, he doesn't look like it, but The Furry Guy is a former marine.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

I love seeing how some Americans care for our military! I especially appreciate the nod to the family. My grandfather was a pilot in WWII and was shot on a rescue mission to recover soldiers shot down in the craft. He died a hero I never knew.
My husband served for almost nine years in active duty and continues in the reserve unit. A year in Iraq was the hardest thing any of us had to do! It truly changed us for life. My husband will be scared both physically and mentally from that year in Sadr City.
Again thany you to all Veterans and their families! Family pays the price along side the soldier!
God Bless you for your sacrifices!

Jennifer, The Old Man was a very good hunter before he went into the Marines - he was a crack shot, a complete dead-eye up to 100 yards and probably more. He was an artillery spotter.

Until the day he died, loud noises were a problem for him. He also went hunting with his friends because he loved nature and being out in the woods - but he never carried any ammunition with him. "I've had enough killing in my lifetime," he told us.

 

[PamperedChefDebi]

You guys made me think to mention, EVERY male in my family, on both sides, served in the military. My maternal grandfather served in the Navy; my paternal grandfather served in the Army and was in the Battle of Normandy; my father was an Army Capt in Vietnam and had to identify and escort my Godfather's body home; my uncles all served in the Army, one still on active duty as a Major in the active Guard, and most of my male cousins are in the Army Guard. I am the only female to have served. God Bless us all....

 

[raebates]

My dad was in the China/Burma/India theater during WWII. He didn't see any action. He was a dental assistant. However, he did see several men killed in an ammo explosion. I didn't know that until just a couple of years ago. He never talked about his time in the military.

 

[J.Corley]

KG, I don't think people realize what this war is doing to our soldiers mentally. I know a lot of people talk about what Nam did to that generation. Wait until this generation get older and some time passes. There is so few in the military (at I know in the Army) that haven't done a tour through Iraq or Afghanastan. Oh how many are affected by this war!
It's so overwhelming! We will never forget!

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

My dad was in the China/Burma/India theater during WWII. He didn't see any action. He was a dental assistant. However, he did see several men killed in an ammo explosion. I didn't know that until just a couple of years ago. He never talked about his time in the military.

If you haven't already done so, read James Bradley's books, Flags of Our Fathers and Flyboys. I learned a great deal about my father, even though the only connection was that he (and I) met John Bradley in 1971. (John Bradley and The Old Man grew up 48 miles away from one another.)

 

[janetupnorth]

I am the only female to have served. God Bless us all....

Thank you Debi for serving for me!!!!

 

[janetupnorth]

Oh how many are affected by this war!

I also know a few forever affected by Desert Storm.


My generation, unless they have family/friends there, does not realize the sacrifice of war. We aren't living on food rations like the US did during WWII. We are still getting our fancy foods at fancy restaurants, driving our SUVs, wearing name-brand clothing, playing our Nintendo Wiis on our flat screen HDTVs... (Well, not me personally - can't afford them, but our generation as a whole). We do not see what everyone is going through over there and what we do see on TV is very surreal.

So, added thanks to those serving for the sacrifices they make DAILY so our lives are not affected. We cannot begin to repay you for your service to keep our freedom.

When I drive in the 4th of July parades, I try to make sure to wave at every veteran I can find and say "thanks" when I can!

 

[jcsmilez]

Thanks for all of your kind support of our nation's veterans. My grandfather served in Guadalcanal during WWII. He just passed away this September and oh goodness do I miss him!! He was a major father figure to me growing up.

It is comforting to know that the service that he and other veterans have provided is not forgotten.

Blessings to you and yours this Veteran's Day [observed]!

Here's a pic of him in his handsome uniform!

Ronald C. Smith 1918-2007
U.S. Marine
Husband to Patricia for 65 years
Father, Grandfather, Great grandfather, brother, Presbyterian minister, and friend