Veteran's Day

Vanity | 11/10/2009 | NMEwithin

[NMEwithin]

This being my first real Vanity and my first Veteran's day on Free Republic, I wanted to post a something to my fellow vets and their families who are active on Free Republic.

I am a combat vet of Operation Desert Storm where I served in the capacity as a Combat Engineer and in these years that I have been out of the service I have seen the country I love and believe in become something it is not.

However, this does not discourage me. Everyday I come here and I see people both civilian and military who continually remind me that my beliefs and the values I hold dear are not in vain.

I remember all those who served before me and those who serve us now and feel nothing but pride in this country. I appreciate all the vets here who have served in every branch in all conflicts as we all share a common bond.

I appreciate those families who have endured the long deployments and the sleepless nights. The wives, husbands and children who have worried about their loved ones somewhere alone, at risk in this world but have kept their resolve in those difficult times.

Tomorrow is our day, it's America's day. Let's all be proud for this soil we fought for and continue to do so whether in the military or in a civilian capacity.

I thank you all for your service and god bless our great country.

[Tennessee Nana]

Happy Veterans day...

Thank you for your service to our country...

Nana
USAF 1972-79

[NMEwithin]

Thanks and I apologize for the semi-cheesy post but this day means alot to me...

Thanks for your service

[smalltownslick]

I’ve been out of the loop for almost a couple weeks - involved in a move. Back to small town Ohio. I had no phone and internet until yesterday. Saturday when I walked downtown I encountered two places where flags were flying at half staff, and this immediately caught my eye. What was the reason for this? I finally determined it must be for Veterans Day - it was the County Services Building and the County Court House, and I thought maybe they just lowered them before they left from work on Friday. Especially when one of the flags flying at the Court House was the POW/MIA flag. So it wasn’t until I got my TV/Internet hooked up late yesterday that I even knew about the Fort Hood incident, but I am sure that’s the reason for the flags.

But since this post is about Veterans Day I really wanted to share this favorite of mine with everyone:

Tom Russell - Veterans Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA5HaUkeRoU

[JohnD9207]

Thanks for your service bro...it was worth it wasn’t it!

I miss it...most days

John
1969-1989 US ARMY

[NMEwithin]

Thanks for that video man...made me cry a bit

[smalltownslick]

Didn’t mean to make you cry, but thought it was special. It’s been a part of my life for awhile. I’m glad you liked it. “It’s Veterans Day, and the sky is gray” - as it probably will be tomorrow.

[philled]

Thank you for your service. It is important to recognize the spirit that built and protects this great country. My elementary-aged girls make cards and cookies to deliver to the seven veterans that are in our little neighborhood. I hope it is a tradition that they pass on to their children.

[PERKY2004]

Happy Veterans Day and Thank You!

Twenty-six years ago, on November 5, 1983 my wonderful DH (then just a 17-year-old high school student) joined the California Air National Guard. Last week was his 26th Anniversary of Military Service and, as expected, he spent the day without any fanfare, off somewhere flying a mission. It's been an amazing 26 years for him -- he's been an F-16 crew chief, then an F-16 pilot, and since 2003 he's been flying a different aircraft... and serving as an Instructor Pilot. (By the way, he's full-time, active duty -- not a traditional Guardsman.) Where was he on September 11, 2001? He spent that afternoon and evening patrolling the skies over San Francisco in his F-16, praying for our nation.

He's been deployed and TDY'd countless times: Germany, Panama, Curacao, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and (of course) Iraq (6 deployments).... not to mention Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Turkey and who-knows-where-else! He's missed a lot of holidays. He's missed a lot of birthdays. He's missed a lot of anniversaries, And he's gone from being a brand-spanking new teenager fresh out of basic military training to a graduate of Air Command & Staff College and a Lieutenant Colonel! His plans? Lord willing, to stay in until he "ages out" at age 54 ... 11 more years. If he makes it that far, he will have served 37 straight years in the military.

He's my husband.

He's my best friend.

He's my hero.

[deadhead]

Happy Veterans Day. My heartfelt thank you for serving our great country. I will be attending a Veterans Day Parade in NYC tomorrow, I am grateful to our Military, past and present. Have a great Veterans Day.

[NMEwithin]

Thank You! I am going to raise the flag tomorrow morning with a couple of WWII vets in my area....very excited.

[rebelgrl]

Tribute to honor our Veteran’s and to encourage others to stand for our freedoms! Thank you all for your service. Pass it on!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibIO1daVaIo

[SoKatt]

Happy Veteran’s day, and thank you for serving our country.