[Squantos]

Respects to Ya’ll on this day !

I hope it is easy for you and ya have a place in the sun to warm your old bones !

Stay safe !

[river rat]

Thanks partner, I appreciate that.

In fact - I am presently sitting out in the warm and bright sun on my patio in California, operating wirelessly.
It feels good on my back and my balding head.....even though I can remember how I cursed the Sun when I didn’t want the light to torture me with its heat or reveal our position or movement to the enemy...

For two days and nights now — I’ve been pouring some good sipping whiskey into an old fashion glass over an ice cube and drinking toasts to those brothers who are no longer with me...

From my patio - I have neither a clear line of sight to my East toward the Wall on the Mall nor to my Southwest toward Vietnam — mountains surround me. But I can see both clearly, even through whiskey, tears and age blurred eyes...

This is always a horrible time of year for me and mine.....

I pray for the lost, and pray that the sword and shield of our Lord will stand over our young warriors still on the battlefield....that they may slay the enemy and return intact to their loved ones and family.

And you old friend, Your legs should be getting less speedy, so cut your fuses a little longer or run your wire a lot further before you crank off that charge..

Semper Fi -— and rest assured that at the core, it’s STILL the Corps.

Happy Birthday Marines!
Welcome home warriors!
And Good Night Chesty!

[hiredhand]

Same to you! I had to work this weekend and have been too busy to do ANYTHING. Several people thanked me though where I work and it was nice knowing that people are "aware".

You all are the best! :-)

[ExSoldier]

Thank you. I've gotta tell you, Friday I was so surprised you could've knocked me over with a feather. By and large teachers as a group are overwhelmingly liberal and in my area, many are anti-military and antigun.

Friday I was told I had to be into work an hour early (0630 instead of 0730).

I got there right on time to find it was a surprise breakfast from the school to all 15 prior service vets on the faculty. Flabbergasted is not quite the word but it's the best I can do. At the ceremony we were all given little certificates and asked to contribute (temporarily) a few pics of ourselves from active duty years. I loaned three. There is a contest to see which of the student body can put the the correct name to the old pic. All the more surprising because the Principals, and assistant Principals all saw the same phot album I show my students every year which features significant moments from my active duty years as well as stuff since. That would include IDPA shooting matches and pix of my wife and daughter shooting as well. I got a lot of new looks of respect from this crowd.

Then were all pinned with a special card on our shirts. The kids were all told to identify the cards and just walk up at random and thank us for our service. You have any idea what it's like to have 1700 kids repeatedly thank you all day long? Repeatedly because sure as shootin' (lol) some kid is going to forget what he or she said at 0800 by the time lunch rolls around! It was pretty awesome. Better than (I think) walking in a parade in uniform.

[archy]

Respects to Ya’ll on this day !

I hope it is easy for you and ya have a place in the sun to warm your old bones !

Stay safe !

Why, thank you, ya old troop. I got lucky and got the weekend off, and avoided the VFW ham and beens shindig in favor of doing up a couple of chickens on the backyard barbie- we got the meat finished just as the drizzle began right around sundown, which let us fly the old 48-star flag most of the day, at least.

I hope your day was as pleasant, and may you see many more, ya old far fella.

[Lurker]

At about 3:00 this afternoon my boss called me into his office.

"It's Veterans Day. Go home. Anything you have on your desk will keep until tomorrow. And by the way, thanks."

Respects right back atcha, and to everyone who ever strapped on the uniform.

Semper Fi.

L