Veterans Day -- Honor All Who Served

[M-61]

A very happy Veterans Day. A day which unlike Memorial Day celebrates all Vets living and dead.
This year I would like to really extend a special thanks to all Vietnam Veterans. From what I can research the only time America sent men to war and those that returned were not welcome for decades. Even some veteran groups, especially the VFW, did not accept Vietnam vets.
A strange war, in a strange place, topped off with a stranger welcome home to those that returned.
For those that did not, remember you are not forgotten.
I’d like to mention Korean War vets. I see very few in the VA.
Regardless of my axe to grind, I hope those from all wars a great thanks for your service and to those who did not return a very grateful thanks and you’ll always be in our hearts.

 

[brokeasajoke]

Thank you vets and to those in my life. Pat, Kevin (Sarge), Kevin C. (Took an rpg and is now missing one eye part of his right arm movement and no hearing in right ear but still works a full time deputy sheriff job), Scott, and Nathan

 

[Dgd6mm]

Happy Veterans Day. Thank you all for your service and sacrifices.

 

[DBerry2043]

Thank you one and all!! Have a good day and many many more.

 

[Forum Boss]

Yes we should indeed "honor all who served". And I would add that let us not forget the Vietnam veterans, including my brother who was a U.S. Army combat medic with the Riverine force. I managed to miss Vietnam by a couple years, but my grandfather, father, and uncle all served. Gramps in WWI, and father and uncle in WWII.

 

[jackieschmidt]

I am doing the same thing I have done on just about every Veterans Day since I did my 2 years in the ‘60’s.
I got up and went to work.

I will celebrate tomorrow at The Tomball Gun Club.

 

[rebs]

A heartfelt thank you to all my fellow vets

 

[Ranger188]

Thank you..

 

[M-61]

including my brother who was a U.S. Army combat medic

Ah…. A 68 whiskey
Without one very skilled one, I wouldn’t be writing anything ever.

 

[jamesdmock]

God allowed me to have a peaceful time in the US Army. Although I served during the heart of the Viet Nam war, I did not go to a combat zone. During college, I elected to take ROTC because of advice from my older brother who also served. I took basic training at Ft. Sill OK and received my commission as a 2nd LT in January of 1967. After finishing Officer's Basic Training at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, IN, I went to Ft. Knox, KY for POR training. My next stop was at Ft. Campbell, KY, at which I served the rest of my active duty time. I served as Adjutant for the 561st Supply and Service Battalion, and Adjutant for the 601st Maintenance Battalion. The last year I served as Assistant G-1 at post HQ as a personnel officer in the Officer's Record Section. I saw many members of the 101st Airborne deploy to Viet Nam during my 2 tears at Ft. Campbell. I left active duty in July of 1969, and finished the remaining 4 1/2 years in the inactive reserves. A highlight of my time at Ft. Campbell was the birth of my 1st child at the US Army Hospital on Thanksgiving day (Nov 23rd), 1967. I was blessed to have served and met many true heroes like Post Commander, Major General S.H. Matheson, who saw combat at D-day (WWII), at Inchon (Korea) and in Viet Nam. Please forgive my lengthy, personal description of a non-noteworthy time in the service. PS- I had many relatives who served: Grandfather -WWI, brother in Army, 4 Uncles in WWII, and 2, 1st cousins who went to Vietnam. My oldest granddaughter, the late Amber Mock served 4 years in the US Marine Corps. We miss her very much. James Mock.

 

[brokeasajoke]

I forgot one, Mr, Hughes whom could not bear all he brought back with him and how it changed and stole his life from him. The only escape he could find was suicide.

 

[CharlieNC]

AMEN!

 

[gkgeiger]

I’m a Vet and it’s my 80th b-day.

 

[nakneker]

To all that have served. You have my gratitude and thanks, may God bless all of you.

 

[PatMiles]

My heartfelt thanks to all who served and are serving. May God keep all those who did not come home in his loving arms. Jimmy, Marty and Pickle boy.
Pat

 

[rockhound78]

Amen. Thanks to all that have served.

 

[Murray Brook]

May the Good Lord bless all veterans from all free countries. Because of them and their sacrifice we are free.

 

[M-61]

I forgot one, Mr, Hughes whom could not bear all he brought back with him and how it changed and stole his life from him. The only escape he could find was suicide.

Horrible.
It is exceedingly hard to find accurate information regarding suicide. 22 vets a day is a cited number.
2.7 million Americans served IN VietNam.
Roughly 75% are now dead.
Roughly 150,000-200,000 have committed suicide.
That, if true, is almost 4 times the number that were killed in action.
Your Mr Hughes story is upsetting.

As I stated these figures are nearly impossible to verify. Searching will lead you to numbers including VietNam ERA vets. While they needed and served honorably finding info on the 2.7 who were in VN is rough.
I only knew of one individual who commit suicide.
About 3 years ago or so, burned himself to death in his car parked in the Northport Long Island Veterans hospital. I often wonder what was going on in his mind.

 

[Bill Norris]

To all that served (living & past) THANK YOU for fighting for my freedom and May God continue to bless you. A life is a huge price to pay so that America can remain free.

 

[ebb]

We will never forget. Ernest Jones KIA north Africa, Claude and David Jones POWs Philippines's. Not just my family all of you that served.