|
Posted on 11/11/2003 3:31:06 AM PST by snippy_about_it
|
|
 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
|
| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
|
|
 To our veterans - Thank You  Veterans Day A day set aside to honor our country's living veterans. At the Foxhole honoring veterans is a major part of our mission. Whereas we will not forget those who died or our POW/MIAs, and course those who are currently serving, today we specifically honor those men and women living among us who have served our country in times past, our living veterans. Especially here at the Foxhole we are blessed to have veterans as part of our Foxhole family both as readers and contributors.  We would like to welcome all our veterans to the Foxhole on this very special day as we attempt to honor you and thank you for your service to our country. Freedom is not free and our debt to you and those gone before you can never fully be paid. May God richly bless you all. Welcome home and we will never forget. It matters not where, when or how your served; here at home or in a foreign land, in the air, at sea or on land; in peacetime or in war, on the battefield or behind a desk; on supply lines; as an engineer, a mechanic, an infantrymen, a cook or medic. You chose to volunteer or fullfilled your duty by the draft and served America and we are forever grateful. Every job is important as they all support each other and the cause of freedom. Some sacrifices are greater, yes, and some service more dangerous than others, yet all service is sacrifice by the troop and their family and we highly respect that service. Some gave all, all gave some. Thank you all - from SAM and snippy  "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." --Thomas Paine, Founding Father  "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their Nation." --George Washington  "Let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain." --Dwight D. Eisenhower  "We must not forget the past. We must not forget those who sacrificed, but we must also remember the reason for their sacrifice. They died so tyranny would die. They died to create a better world for those of us who followed them. Their sacrifice was not in vain." --Secretary of State Colin Powell as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, observing the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1991.  "America was founded on the principles of liberty, opportunity, and justice for all, and on Veterans Day we recognize the men and women of our Armed Forces who have valiantly defended these values throughout our Nation's history. These remarkable individuals have helped to make our Nation secure and to advance the cause of freedom worldwide. By answering the call of duty and risking their lives to protect their fellow countrymen, these patriots have inspired our Nation with their courage, compassion, and dedication. Our proud veterans have also helped to shape the American character. They have given us an extraordinary legacy of patriotism and honor, and their service represents the highest form of citizenship." --George W. Bush  Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty. --- Department of Veterans Affairs   who has given us freedom of religion. who has given us the right to keep and bear arms. who has given us freedom of the press. who has given us freedom of speech. who has given us freedom to assemble. who has given us the right to a fair trial. Who has given us the right to vote.   AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.         |
November 11 is a very special day in American history. Veterans Day is a time when all American citizens give recognition to those men and women who devoted their lives to support the ideals of our country. Not many people show enough gratitude on Veterans Day, but it is a part of my family's heritage. My grandfathers took part in World War II. I am so grateful nothing happened to either of them; they were able to come home without any injuries. The wars that America was and is currently involved in don't only influence my life, but influence every American's life. The wars were fought to preserve our values and protect basic freedoms. While Veterans Day brings back memories of my grandfathers, who are now dead, it also makes me feel good about my country, and proves to me what a strong and powerful nation we live in.
My first image of a veteran would have to be a portrait of both my grandfathers. They were honest men who would do anything to support their families, friends, and of course, country. My Grandpa Ben was part of General Patton's troop, but did not serve as a soldier. When the government drafted him to go to Europe, he was ordered to "teach" the soldiers because of his background he did not have to fight. For over two years he worked in soldier service and saw life how it was - plain and cruel. My grandmother had a hard time re-calling information about the war, because my grandfather didn't like talking about the battlefields. She did recall one thing he said; "It was like a bad nightmare that you weren't able to wake up from. Before I went to war I had no clue what a brutal world we live in, now I am thankful for everything I have and own." My grandfather died many years ago from a heart attack, but I will always have a certain pride that someone in my family did whatever he could to help out in a time of need. My other grandpa, Grandpa Irv, was in the Navy and trained in New England. He caught pneumonia and was given many shots and antibiotics to fight the virus. When he wasn't able to recover, his ship departed without him. Most of the sailors were lost at sea when his ship was sunk in the North Atlantic Ocean. I know if he were well enough to go with his fleet, he would have landed at the bottom of the ocean as well.
The average American citizen thinks of war as a lot of guns, blood and death. I, on the other hand, look past those things and look at how the people really feel and why they are fighting and how strong our country is to have a volunteer army with citizens willing to defend their freedoms. Many directors and writers make movies, television shows and novels about wars. So many people have seen movies such as Saving Private Ryan, but do the people that see the movie think of it as a movie with Tom Hanks or a movie about war? For the most part the viewers think of it as a movie with famous actors. In reality, these movies are based on real events. Some people don't realize our parents and grandparents were those people getting shot and shooting people and risking their lives. They may have fought in these battles, and actually seen the bloodshed and destruction up close and personal. A majority of these people were probably wounded or permanently disabled. Out of all the veterans in any war, if they don't wear a scar on the outside, for sure there IS a big scar on the inside for life - never to relive their past experiences.
As I conclude my personal feelings about Veterans Day, I think about everything which I feel makes up our country: brave citizens, a strong democratic government, family ties and memories, a strong economy, and the love for a nation. What are we supposed to acknowledge on Veterans Day? We recognize the brave citizens who fought for a country they love and the government that is able to support them and keep them safe. We remember our family members who devoted their lives to protect a liberated, strong and powerful nation - and what we remember is priceless and lasts a lifetime.
Veterans Day is a different definition of what we value when it comes to our country. To me, Veterans Day is our country; it is just recognized only one day a year.
Thanks OESY!
Not in mine either, but it won't stop them from trying..
You just know you're gonna hear it from me don't you?
You took an oath. You trained. You would have to go wherever you were called, if and when. You served.
I'll say it again.
Thank you Darksheare for your service to our country. Happy Veterans Day.
So there. :)
Tell her she can sing this song then.
I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy
A Yankee Doodle, do or die
A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam
Born on the Fourth of July
I've got a Yankee Doodle sweetheart
She's my Yankee Doodle joy
Yankee Doodle came to London
Just to ride the ponies
I am the Yankee Doodle Boy
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
