WHAT IS A VETERAN

[DuckyBoys]

Quote:
Phyllis, how did you get that impression from these posts?

I don't get it? I will go out on a limb here and speculate that you are anti-war??? Maybe you feel that your position is unpopular here and therefor you read into things?

I dunno.

When did reminding people of all the good things the American armed forces have done for others around the world become synonymous with drawing a line in the sand to provoke people?

But, that said, I love the OP - my brother served in Afganistan in the USAF, my son's father in Iraq I in the Army, my dad was in the Navy and if my son decides to serve his country I'd support him 100%.

America is a great country and definately one worth fighting for. I wish we had a flag waving smilie!

 

[Davaroo]

I especially liked the bit about the carriers.

I served aboard USS John F. Kennedy, CVA-67, and I can vouch for everything said.
I earned a humanitarian service medal while serving in the shipboard helicopter squadron. We evacuated wounded, flew delivery missions in Lebanon, squired foreign dignitaries around and rebuilt a school in Yugoslavia. There wasn't an exercise at sea, when deployed, that someone didn't feel the benefit of that huge vessel.
I'll never forget strolling the streets of Naples and being greeted with handshakes and free Cinzano by shopkeepers for "all that we had done in that great ship."

Big John is decommisioned now, sadly. But the legacy lives on.

 

[warcard]

Great post! I'm going to print those out for my husband, he will love them.

I'm also not sure what the problem is that SewingDiva has with the meaning of veteran?

Would you be willing to explain your issue in more detail?

DH, 9 yrs Army Guard (PA, OH, TN, IN)
Me, 6 yrs Active AF, probably would have stayed longer but they downsized my career field

 

[ams3651]

I live in what was my grandparents house, my grandfather fought in Germany but never talked about it. I will always fly a flag in his honor.

This email made a point with out taking political sides, thats what I like to see.

 

[dacjohns]

Darn.

What the heck happened? What did I say?


Dave,

Thanks for the post. I've read it before and even though I am skeptical that all those things did happen it is still inspiring.

Once again, thanks to all of you.

 

[Davaroo]

Well I can assure you the bit about the carriers is true, and Im fairly certain WWII happened.
As for Colin Powell, well, if he didnt say it, it sure sounds like something he would say.

 

[Just-Like-Hatching]

The only addition I would add to the definition of veterans is the families. My over 20 years of service in the US Army has been a joint venture with my wife and I. Not to mention the kids that have been forced to live in a few states and countries. With out the family to take care of the home front, it would have been very difficult for me to have done my job on a different front.

So in my way of looking at it, my family and I have served the country for over 20 years.

 

[tiffanyh]

My grandfather fought in WWII, my father was over in Vietnam, both Marines. My father was drafted when he was in his early twenties.

My brother was in the Army, but was not sent to Iraq after 9/11 due to an injury that caused him to be unable to correctly use his right arm.

I have read every post and I agree it has been nothing but supportive for those who have given themselves to protect our freedom in any way.

 

[chickenzoo]

My husband served on the USS JOHN F KENNEDY CV 67 on it's last tours, hum, small world.

 

[tunaoftheland]

Great post. My Dad, Grandpa and several cousins were in the navy, and my great-grandfather flew a biplane way back in WWI. A huge thanks to all the vets here and everywhere.