On Veteran's & Rememberance Day

[MeridianFC]

Dule et decorum est
-Wilfred Owen

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.

Gas! GAS! Quick, boys! --- An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And floundering like a man in fire or lime ---
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,---
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.

http://home.tiscali.be/ericlaermans/gifs/owen.jpg

--------------------

I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower.



Remembering my Great Grandfather C. G. Young (US Navy)

[Kyle_Draven]

My grandfather and dad both served. Air force and Army repectivly. I have friends that joined two are over in Iraq and one is in Afganistan. I hope that people remember that they don't really want to be over there. They went because they were told. I have seen to many people blame the soldiers for being over seas.

[Chuckee]

Thanks to the Veterans on this board for their service.

Sound off!

Identify yourselves. What branch did you serve in and when?

I’d like to drink a toast to you.

[zoom6zoom]

US Navy, 1977-80

[Chuckee]

Originally posted by zoom6zoom
US Navy, 1977-80

Anchors away, mate. Cheers to ya.

[Seymour]

Cheers, zoom. And to all our military, here and those who went before. A million years ago I worked (briefly) at the VA in Jackson, MS. I had the pleasure of interacting with a lovely old gentleman, 105 at the time, who'd served in WWI. He was also a student athlete at Mississippi State University, and held some track records during his day. Deaf and blind, and mind sharp as a tack. I was proud to have known him.

Lest we forget.

[fatboy570]

My dad joined the Air Force in 1960. In 1962 he was sent to Okinawa as part of the 1st Communications Squad then to Vietnam. He left with a group of 29 men. 6 came back. He earned the rank of Tech Sergeant, 2 Purple Hearts, and a Bronze Star. He has told me many stories, mostly the bar fights and such, but still holds many in his mind that are too close to share. He missed the protests of the late 60s. He told me that once you sign your name, you belong to the government, and must do as you are told. I also have a very good friend that is in the Army Reserve, with 2 tours in the Gulf, once in 91 and one in Iraq. These are my personal heroes, as are all of those who fought and died to ensure, preserve, and keep our rights and freedoms as Americans. God bless America, the greatest nation on Earth

[GooseIslandFan]

Two Great-grandfathers, and both grandfathers served in the Army. My father was a career officer, and I have been in the Reserves for over 4 years now. Proud to serve and grateful for all who served before me.

[Bilbo Beergins]

Uncle John, age 17, cleanup crew for D-Day. Saw some nasty action. Guarded the Nuremberg officers, but was too short to be seen on the TV cameras, so they replaced him in court.

Remember the picture of that Italian GI squatting and smoking a cigarette? Totally tired, smiling an all-knowing grin. I had the pleasure to meet him. First name Armand, drafted at the age of 36 with a wife and kids. Said he walked a million miles through Germany, and his feet were still sore.

Dad, Korean War, but for some reason unkown to him stayed state side.

Uncle Allen, Viet Nam. Left a part of him over there. His son, Allen Jr. served in Iraq, and is back home.

I never joined, and just missed the draft in the 70's. I don't have a clue what you guys went through for me and mine.

God bless all our soldiers. Living and deceased, you all fought so that I could live freely in the greatest nation on earth. What a gift. Thank you.

[BluesHarp]

I was needed to work on the family farm at the military age, but:

My dad and his twin brother were MP's during the early fifties; served in Atlanta, New Orleans, and Anchorage.

I had a second cousin who was MIA during WWII...fighter pilot.

I have numerous friends and relatives who served in the Army, Navy, and Air Force...most during relatively peaceful times, but some had tours in Afghanistan and Iraq (both times).

My cousin Dan is a Major in the Marine Corps, currently working at the Pentagon.

My wife's grandpa was at Okinawa...his brother was a POW in a Japanese prison camp.

This is one of those occasions when we need to put all political views aside and honor all those who served our country; it is by their efforts that we continue to live in the most prosperous and FREE country in the world...they are our greatest heroes.

Please wish all veterans you know a happy Veteran's Day...it may "officially" have been last week, but it is not too late to let them know how you feel...

Cheers!!

[Chuckee]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
This is one of those occasions when we need to put all political views aside and honor all those who served our country; it is by their efforts that we continue to live in the most prosperous and FREE country in the world...they are our greatest heroes.



Amen!

Here’s to my two buddies serving now in Iraq.

Here’s to my father who served with the 82nd Airborne in Viet Nam.

Here’s to my great uncle who was a US Marine and fought across the Pacific, including Iwo Jima.

Here’s to my uncle who was in the 82nd Airborne.

Here’s to my two uncles who were US Marines.

Here’s to all of America’s Veterans. <holding up a mug of 3F RTB Scottish Ale> This country owes you a debt for your service that it will never be able to repay.

Salut!

[chazwicke]

I always give my staff off on Veterans Day. We were closed. I believe it is one of the more important holidays. I thanked my Father In Law for his service in Korea.

Thanks to all veterans and here is hope that all those boys and girls over seas now will soon be home.

[Ales-Stouts]

Veterans and Memorial Day are two holidays I feel should be shown more respect by corporations, especially retail stores.
Both of them should be days to honor those who've served in the
Armed Forces.

If I listed all of them it would be too long, my family members have
served in every war since the French-Indian war. I have the
original copy of my great - great uncle's memoirs, he served in
the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry during the Civil War. Captured
twice by the Confederates in Va. and imprisoned at Libby Prison
in Richmond.

A-S

[BluesHarp]

A-S...that is priceless...a piece of family history that deserves to be treasured and handed down through the ages...very cool.

[boggyboys]

I was deployed during the first Gulf war, and relutantly drank "NA beer" when we had some.
In Haiti I was under Canadian command and allowed to drink two real beers a night. ( I still love, and drink Molson Canadian) the second time deployed in the middle east, I was in in Qatar assigned to the airbase there. We were allowed to drink beer
( John Smith and McEwan's) and Iwould knock one back every chance I got for all those fellow Soldiers who could not.
A lot of the Soldiers deployed really miss a nice, cold beer.
When you see the soldiers in the airport in their Desert uniforms, welcome them back, the first beer they drink tastes real good. Lastly remember to toast "the Airborne Ranger in the sky" when you do drink, as we do..

[brew_2]

I am in Iraq right now and am returning soon to the states. This is my second deployment to Iraq, a grand total of 21 months of my life.

[chazwicke]

Thanks for your service!