Veterans Day

[Intrepid_Timer]

Nice salute to all the vets on your comment page this morning Tom. Kudos!

I did seven years in the military but was fortunate enough to have done it during a "quite" period.

I wish to thank all the ones who have served also.

:)

[Steadygain]

There is probably no more powerful way to demonstrate both the level of committment you have and the love and loyality you have for your country and all the good it represents. No one could possibly do that beyond the Veterans.

The Politicians may paint some dreams of safety, freedom, peace and security - but the Veterans are the ones that make it real.

To all who served with Honor and Integrity -- THANK YOU !!!

[grandma]

To the Vets I know, don't know, and those I've only heard or read about: Thank You! I was raised to clap & cheer when the Vet organizations passed in the hometown parades - I still do. Thank you....:D

[tsptalk]

Whenever I see military folks in uniform at a fast food restaurant or the like, I always want to offer to pay for their meal, but I chicken out thinking it may be insulting or embarrassing for them for some reason. The unknown reaction makes it awkward.

So vets, what would you do or think if someone asked if they could pick up your tab? Would you take the offer, appreciate it, say "no thanks", feel awkward or embarrassed, etc. Thanks!

[Birchtree]

I did that for a vet a number of years back - an Airborne brother and he was appreciative. The only one embarrassed was my ROTC daughter who couldn't understand the good gesture. Once she returned from Iraq her understanding has improved.

[JTH]

Whenever I see military folks in uniform at a fast food restaurant or the like, I always want to offer to pay for their meal, but I chicken out thinking it may be insulting or embarrassing for them for some reason. The unknown reaction makes it awkward.

So vets, what would you do or think if someone asked if they could pick up your tab? Would you take the offer, appreciate it, say "no thanks", feel awkward or embarrassed, etc. Thanks!

For myself I'd say no thanks, spend it on an ARMY guy, those are the guys making the hardest sacrifice, God bless them, it's hard to be ARMY nowadays...

[Steadygain]

Whenever I see military folks in uniform at a fast food restaurant or the like, I always want to offer to pay for their meal, but I chicken out thinking it may be insulting or embarrassing for them for some reason. The unknown reaction makes it awkward.

So vets, what would you do or think if someone asked if they could pick up your tab? Would you take the offer, appreciate it, say "no thanks", feel awkward or embarrassed, etc. Thanks!

Tom,
It's who we are -- it's our life and it's our job -- so from our prespective there would be awkwardness because we're largely being what we were meant to be.

I would say the police and firemen and others feel the same.

Don't ask to pick up the tab because it puts us on the spot; just do it -- but never feel awkward about verbalizing your support and appreciation because that means more than money. Seriously -- having you (a total stranger and representative of what we live for) come up and tell us thank you or how much you appreciate 'what we stand for and all we do' means everything and that all the more gives the motivation to carry on.

[nnuut]

Old Vets No, but those serving over there right now deserve it, their doing one hell of a job.:cool:

[tsptalk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSfFYxSdKdo

[alevin]

mY thanks to those who have served, the ones who are gone, the ones who are still with us, and those in the VA who serve them everyday.

[tsptalk]

Don't ask to pick up the tab because it puts us on the spot; just do it
Great idea. That does take some of the awkwardness out of it.

[Steadygain]

Great idea. That does take some of the awkwardness out of it.


Thanks Tom :)

The more I think about your question the more I realize we're talking about the soldiers actively wearing uniforms -- the ones presently giving their lives like so many of us on the MB have already done.

Tom - if they are wearing their uniforms -- then you can be sure they are wearing it with the highest honor and dignity and they are deliberately making known to everyone - This is who I am and what I am.

At a minimum talk to them and tell them what you think -- you'll walk away with a good feeling and so will they.


Well good night all ---- -heading home

[Birchtree]

I bought dinner for him and his family - used the waitress to handle the transaction - they all make the sacrifice. That episode ended up being a learning experience for my ROTC daughter at the time. She saw a side of me she hadn't realized existed - recognizing honor.

[Buster]

A big thank you to all our Vets past, present and future..for their selfless acts of bravery and honor while serving this country, we call home..http://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_patriot.gif

[KevinD]

I'm always late. :o

As a tribute to my father and all veterans, I share with you a letter dated May 1, 1945 from my father to my mother from Nainhof Germany. :)

http://www.possumholler.net/19450501Elsie1.jpg

http://www.possumholler.net/19450501Elsie2.jpg

[nnuut]

I'm always late. :o

As a tribute to my father and all veterans, I share with you a letter dated May 1, 1945 from my father to my mother from Nainhof Germany. :)

http://www.possumholler.net/19450501Elsie1.jpg

http://www.possumholler.net/19450501Elsie2.jpg

Your father was a Patroit and we can all be proud of those who served!!:cool:

[Rod]

Never too late to say, "thanks", and share an honor/tribute.

To my Grandfather,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/bic4jesus/GrandpaKuebler-2.jpg

PFC Charles William Kuebler, Jr.

42nd Rainbow Infantry Division
222nd Infantry Regiment
Company B, 1st Battalion

Killed in Action during Operation Nordwind (Battle of the Bulge), 25 Jan 1945 at the age of 24.

[Buster]

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,

Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

[Steadygain]

Deep down --- that's what it's all about ---- lest we forget.