Tribute To Vietnam Veterans....Welcome Home.......March 5, 2002

Self and Various web sites for graphics and friends

[Snow Bunny]

Even though we all were in Vietnam at different times, at different places our hearts were united and our lives they were intertwined.
After Vietnam there were no parades, not many people wanted to hear our stories, and if they did listen, they didn't really understand. I know this is a small thank you for all each of you did , but I want to thank you for serving and for being the person you were then and now.
I appreciated what you were did ,and would do in the future to secure the freedom and liberty of this nation and other nations.

A man has not lived until he has almost died…….

For those who have fought life has a flavor……..

The protected will never know.

…….. author Unknown Vietnam Veteran

THE EYES OF A WARRIOR
(A tribute to the Vietnam Veterans, and the Veterans of our past)

In the eyes of a warrior we see strength, loyalty, honor ~ we see pain, horror, and loneliness. When you look into their eyes you see the stony strength of one who has the courage to take on the world so that we may choose. You see the will that stands between fear and a belief that freedom is the most valuable gift that one can give to another. And, you see the heart ~ with its granite-hard conviction that the soul cannot survive without honor. Personal honor cannot be lost or thrown away. It is embedded in the soul of the warrior beyond this earth ~ beyond eternity, and beyond his or her own ability to survive without it.

When you look into the eyes of a warrior, you also see the dead pool of pain. It surrounds and envelopes the inner soul ~ it is a natural by-product of the prize, freedom. One cannot win this prize unless they are willing to endure the pain ~ for this is the price. No one pays this price like the warrior. The horror that is endured....remembered....is the cause of the pain but is also the means by which the warrior wins for us, the freedom and the life that we enjoy. So oblivious are we to the price they pay. The tears they shed somewhere inside where we cannot see unless we look for the brothers they were forced to leave behind, and for the loss ~ the never ending loss of war. In their eyes one will see the deepest most internal ~ and most eternal loneliness we shall ever witness. It comes from the deepest part within them, that part which suffers still, the battle.

If you look deep into the eyes of a warrior, you will see the collage of the human spirit. If you cannot envy this ~ if you cannot love, respect and honor this, then you have no right to the freedom they so willingly won, and then simply gave to you.

Have we ever stopped to think what our world would be like if we had no warriors? How would we have the right to determine for ourselves what we will do on a lazy Sunday afternoon? How would we determine for ourselves what our children will learn and how they will be raised? And the most important question of all ~~ how dare we forget these things are true?

To All Veterans:

"With all my heart I embrace you....
with all my soul I wrap you in
the protective shroud of my pride
in you and my gratitude for what
you have given me".

[DoughtyOne]

That is actually a 2500 x 1800 apx photo reduced for our presentation.

[DoughtyOne]

You can use right button view to see it in it's full size.

[JohnHuang2]

Thanks.

[Snow Bunny]

Thanks this on the USS Kittyhawk is fantastic.

[Snow Bunny]

This is great thank you for # 40 link.

[Bogie]

Yeah, a kid I grew up with is on the wall. I found his name and personal info at the web page, one time, and they got his body back, and I know where he is buried, but I felt real bad.There was something about finding his name on the web page, It's hard to explain.

Thanks

[whoever]

HAPPY REAL BIRTHDAY, 4.

Since I know how you were so thrilled with the huevos rancheros last time, I made some for your breakfast with red jalapeno garnish, some corn salsa, cinnamon roll, orange juice and of course lots of coffee.

Beamer wanted this all served on a silver tray to your room, however.....I really think he wanted you to see your present from him.

"And of course, the card from Beamer and Morgan -

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Please just click on the graphic of the lyrics to hear the song " Some Gave All" by Billy Ray Cyrus. It is a 4 minute song so it takes a little time to load, but well worth the wait."

This is the correct link.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

This is EXACTLY what I used to do as a Gunner's Mate 3rd class.
DoughtyOne found this top pic from another ship.
The bottom pic is the ship I served on.



USS CORRY DD 817

[.30Carbine]

Welcome home!

(Sorry we are so late with the parade.)

(Thanks, SnowBunny.)

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Please pause a moment for those never accounted for
from WW II, Korea and Viet Nam.
There are things we as FReepers can do to help our POW/MIA's
Please see what you can do to help.
POW/MIA Awareness Campaigns-Get Involved

POW/MIA Web Ring List of sites.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

JH2 thanks for the ping. You too Yatch's man. Nicely done Snow Bunny.

Never made it to the Southeast Asia War Games. My Uncle thought my skills were required in Europe.

For all who went, especially those who were soldiers once, and young - a special thanks.

God bless all who answer the call.

Hope some of you can make it to DC on 20 April to support our brothers and sisters.

[rebelsoldier]

Just make sure you see "We Were Soldiers". Excellent movie and a helluva overdue tribute to 'Nam vets.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"Never made it to the Southeast Asia War Games. My Uncle thought my skills were required in Europe."

Your service in Europe was equally important.
Welcome Home Brother

[Revelation 911]

found dog tags

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Welcome Home Brother

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

In honor of your father and our Viet Nam BROTHER who gave his life defending our Freedom.

[Cagey]

What a great thread, Snow Bunny. You always keep the flag flying here at FreeRepublic!

[RaceBannon]

Thank you all Vietnam Vets!!

Thank you for not running, even when you wanted to.

Thank you for staying, even when you didn't want to.

Thank you for doing what you knew people back home hated you for, even though you didn't hate them.

Thank you for being the men your Mom and Dad raised you to be, for being the women you knew your fathers and mothers would be proud of for serving.

Thank you for serving our country, while people like me were just in elementary school, waiting to take up the torch in my later years, so I could be just like you!

Thank you for being the examples of 'The Good Marines' that I saw while in the Corps. Not one Vietnam Vet I served with was someone you wanted to get out because of: on the contrary, they were the ones that if there was more of, I would have stayed in.

[StayoutdaBushesWay]

Amen JohnHuang2, I 2nd that!

68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub, I would Also like to thank you Tonk for making me feel welcome on a discussion a few months back. Although I served a few years after you, and in peacetime, you made me feel welcomed.