I'd like to add my THANK YOU, too--thanks to the OP for taking time to start this thread and an even BIGGER THANK YOU to the men and women of our past and present military to whom it was addressed!
Happy July 4th to everyone!
"Time passes but memories remain"
Fulltime since Jan. 2004
40' Allegro Zephyr
My son is currently on his second deployment in Iraq. He is my only son and I know, even though he gets embarrassed, that he appreciates people telling him "thank you." My uncle and dad were both in the Korean war; my dad survived, my uncle did not. He stepped on a land mine. It's so ironic; when the gulf war took place in the 90's my son was in the 4th grade writing to soldiers 'over there'. Now, he's 'over there' and he has grade school writing to him. Thank you men and women who served our Nation and is currently serving it now. Our nation is truly the home of the brave. And that includes those left behind on the homefront; they have their own problems to deal with! Happy July 4th!
dennislanier wrote: Thanks for the great post. As a veteran, and someone who served during the Viet Nam era, I don't think the guys who actually served there were ever given the credit they deserved. Their country CALLED, and they answered the call! The POLITICIANS screwed up that war, but that is another subject.
But for veterans of all eras, the saying is still true - ALL GAVE SOME, AND SOME GAVE ALL.
Well said Dennis, and some of us stuck around for a number of years afterwards. Proud to have served, and proud of my family's service in WWII, WWI, the Civil War, the American Revolutionary War, and the French and Indian Wars. Happy 4th of July.
Redcatcher70 wrote: And my friend Britt (if I may call you that), you ARE the reason so many of us did serve and protect this great land!!! Men and women like you who start with nothing, work hard, honest and I hope God fearing people who are the backbone of the country, that is why we, and I served. That is the least I could do for you..........
Dave, Thank you so very much. It is a very high Honor to be called your friend.
I am 46 years old. I was not around for WWll but I know that Americans pulled together with no thought, and all were friends.
Today is the day, a very special day.
I think today I will also be thinking of your sons and daughters that are not with you but are making this day possible for us......This is just how I look at it.
I do not care if you were drafted or served durning Peace.
You are and will remain my Hero.
It is about 7:30 am and we are at the camp ground now. I can see a couple of people down the way starting the smokers for chicken and what else.
Herculez it is people like you who love our great country, that make me glad I served. I served so all could enjoy freedom. A proud Viet Nam veteran Art USN
Artr1955
Gwen wife of 31 years Art 15 year old son
1990 31 ft Allegro
2005 Jeep Liberty
two 73 r/75 BMW motorcycles
2002 Kawasaki Voyager
Just a quick thanks to all of our vets, of any age.
And a special thanks to Arnold Stenberg, my grandfather, who passed away last Saturday, a WWII vet who trained pilots as his duty during the war.
He was a heck of a guy, and the best grandpa any kid (even a grown up kid) could ask for. He taught me more than I can possibly list here, and passed his love for the outdoors on to me. I was lucky enough to get to tell him how important he was to me before he passed. And lucky enough to let him see his great-grandson as well. That's a blessing I'll always cherish.
I'll miss you, Grandpa. And I owe you, and every other vet, more than words can say.
Jason, Angie, and our toddler, Sean Patrick
2008 Ameri-Lite 27BH
2007 Dodge 1500 QC Laramie, 5.7Hemi, 3.92
Equalizer hitch, Prodigy Brake Controller
This is a beautiful thread. Thank you for your kind words. I am proud to have served and even prouder to say I'm a 3rd generation vet (my grandfather in WWII & my dad in Vietnam) I still feel funny when people thank me for my service. It was a job I chose to do at that time. I honestly don't think of it as anything more than that.
My thoughts and prayers go out to those who are in the line of fire today, including my cousin in Iraq serving in the 1st Cav.
If any of you are reading this from overseas, we're praying for you. Come home safe and soon.
To the rest of us: Freedom isn't free. It isn't safe, it isn't sane. It isn't secure or risk-free. It has pitfalls, it has difficulties, and it isn't really comfortable.
So, have an unsafe and insane 4th. Celebrate freedom. Celebrate risk, reward, courage, guts, and power.
And celebrate judgement, sobriety, responsiblity, and using the old noggin.
God Bless America, and a double portion on everyone who serves, protects, defends, blesses, enriches, and empowers us...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mopars forever... Not German, Japanese, Chinese...American Mopars!
The price of freedom is higher than the price of slavery, but it's still a bargain!
What a wonderful thread. I only wish I could write as beautifully as so many of you have. You have brought tears to my eyes. Thank you to all of our veterans and special thoughts and prayers to the young men and women who are now serving and to their families. What a wonderful country this is.
(Proud spouse of a Viet Nam vet)
Paul and Karen
New to us 93 Pace Arrow
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