Veterans Day

[J. Yuma]

Tuesday, 11/11
...appreciate those who served/serve our country.
Thanks.

"It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it.”

General Robert E. Lee, to General James Longstreet during the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862.



https://www.thefp.com/p/things-worth-remembering-finding-meaning-in-the-madness-of-war

 

[vito]

I am a volunteer with a local not-for-profit hospice agency. As a military veteran, I visit fellow veterans who are in hospice care. While most of the time the individual is too far gone to engage in much conversation regarding their military service, sometimes they truly want to talk about that service with someone who shared that experience. Sometimes my visits are more to give some break in the daily routine to the family member who is the caregiver.

This Tuesday, Veterans Day, I am going out to a nursing home about 45 mnutes away where they have 25 or so residents who are military veterans. Myself and the volunteer coordinator will be bringing little gifts, and veteran pins, to those individuals to honor them for their military service. I'm grateful that at 82 I am in relatively good health and able to have a fairly full life, so helping out some who are not so fortunate is something that I can feel good about.

 

[Watertender]

You are a good man vito! I always thank a veteran when I see them and have quietly bought breakfast or lunch many times for a vet.
A few years ago in the local diner there was a man with a 28th Infantry Division hat that had Bronze Star and Purple Heart pins on it. I started talking with him and signaled to the server that I had his bill. When he asked for his check I told him that he paid it in 1944 and it was an honor to sit with him.
A couple of months later I stopped at a friend's house for something and saw a shadow box with a 28th Division patch and the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. I remarked that I had seen someone with that on his hat and had breakfast with him. She said that her dad told her that someone had bought his breakfast and asked if it was me. I said that it was and told her that I was going to get a 28th Division coin for him.
After the coin came in I went to breakfast with my friend and her dad and gave him the coin. You'd have thought that he was given the Medal of Honor from the look on his face.
He died a couple of years later and his 28th Division coin is buried with him.

 

[contender]

As a non-combat veteran,, in my younger years, I wouldn't say much about me being a veteran. I felt I wasn't quite "the same" as those who had suffered combat.

Yet,, many years ago,, in about 1985,, when Lee Greenwood was performing at a concert I was at,, he asked all of us who were or had served to please stand. I almost didn't stand, but the lady I was with insisted. Lee told the crowd,, "Folks,, these are the people we owe our freedoms to. They have served, and many have suffered. Some may have never seen combat,, but they were willing to go. I have a new song,, I want to dedicate to all Veterans here."
He then sang "God Bless The USA" for us. And it was the first time I had heard the song.

That day,, I felt a little bit more like I was part of the brotherhood of servicemen. And soon, a few Vets told me basically that it did not matter when I served,, because I had served.

Ever since I was discharged, I have always taken the day off, to allow myself the quiet reflection of what this day is about.

To all my brothers,, "Thank you."

 

[p345Fan]

I never really felt that my service mattered, at least not like my son’s service. He just retired. He has actually done bad ass and heroic stuff. I knew that wasn’t going to be me. I figured that I could be an asset by helping treat and stabilize the real heroes.

Well, I got stuck on a Women’s Health unit and actually delivered a couple of babies when we didn’t have a doctor or anyone else to help, one of which would have otherwise died. All by myself. At the age of 19.

I got out and worked various jobs in the medical field for 20 years before becoming disabled. I have helped a couple of veterans from WWII and Korea and got friendly with them only for them to die a few months later.

One guy was 90 years old and trying to carry a heavy package in to the post office and he really couldn’t see where he was going. This worthless POS young woman with blue hair and piercings all over the place shoved him out of the way on the sidewalk and told him to watch where he was going. I saw this as I was coming out of the post office.

I offered to help him. And he had other packages. I had him wait by his van so they wouldn’t walk off. It took a couple of trips to get them all in. He didn’t have anyone to help him. His family all loved out of state and he was on his own. The package we’re Christmas presents for grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I may not make it to any veteran’s events on Tuesday, as I am largely bed bound these days. Some of these really young people really don’t get it. They’ve never had to fight for, or work for anything in their lives.

I do enjoy the veteran;s discounts on guns and ammo though.

 

[IKE]

 

[vito]

When I think about Veteran's Day I think about my long departed uncles who served in WWII, one of whom was in a glider landing in Normandy on D-Day and one who in the assault on Tarawa in the Pacific. Even though I served for 24 years myself, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, and served a tour in Vietnam, I never think of myself in the same light as that of those uncles. I served as a Medical Service Corps officer, and never once in those 24 years did my work require me to carry a firearm (although I did at times, including my year in Vietnam). If I weren't going to honor some nursing home residents later today, Veteran's Day would be just like any other day of the year to me.

 

[LCP22LR]

Taking a moment to thank all the vets here, you’ve done more than most will ever know. Happy Veterans Day!

 

[g5m]

As a non-combat veteran,, in my younger years, I wouldn't say much about me being a veteran. I felt I wasn't quite "the same" as those who had suffered combat.

Yet,, many years ago,, in about 1985,, when Lee Greenwood was performing at a concert I was at,, he asked all of us who were or had served to please stand. I almost didn't stand, but the lady I was with insisted. Lee told the crowd,, "Folks,, these are the people we owe our freedoms to. They have served, and many have suffered. Some may have never seen combat,, but they were willing to go. I have a new song,, I want to dedicate to all Veterans here."
He then sang "God Bless The USA" for us. And it was the first time I had heard the song.

That day,, I felt a little bit more like I was part of the brotherhood of servicemen. And soon, a few Vets told me basically that it did not matter when I served,, because I had served.

Ever since I was discharged, I have always taken the day off, to allow myself the quiet reflection of what this day is about.

To all my brothers,, "Thank you."

I felt the same way as a vet who didn't serve in a combat zone. One day I went to a book signing of a book by a SEAL from Viet Nam and talked to him about that. He said simply, "Look, you served and were ready to go wherever they wanted you. You did your part!". That made it okay. And since then restated by a Combat Vet here on this board whom I won't name.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

HOOYAH Brothers! Bravo Zulu to you no matter how or where you served! Remember the GOOD from your service as it will always outweigh the BAD.

This is a great day to reach out to your Brothers, especially those of which you know are or think are struggling with demons.

Happy Veterans Day.

 

[KMK-678GC]

Thank you to all our Veterans who were willing to give, or who gave it all to keep America safe. If you can, visit a memorial or cemetery and pick out a veterans name and think of them, maybe look them up online, and just think about their lives and “never forget” their contributions, large or small.

 

[MaxMan]

Cleaning out an old file cabinet. I had tax returns going back to 2008. and found this. On veterans' day. Very appropriate. SS#s blocked. Dad was Robert C Miller.

Thank you to all the veterans, pray for all those suffering with physical scars and wounds as well as the mental and emotional one.

 

[Kevin]

As a non-combat veteran,, in my younger years, I wouldn't say much about me being a veteran. I felt I wasn't quite "the same" as those who had suffered combat

Well said. My dad was in th Navy during the Korean War, but non combat. He doesn’t really talk about it very much.

 

[Kevin]

This guy was driving to a parade today: he stopped at the stop sign and the car died. He said it was a 1937. I only had time to get a picture because he couldn’t get it started right away. It was pretty cold out this morning.

 

[MaxMan]

Well said. My dad was in th Navy during the Korean War, but non combat. He doesn’t really talk about it very much.

I have heard that about 10% of the armed forces actually see combat but the others make it possible. You signed up and gave Uncle Sam the blank check and he filled it out the way he did. Thank you for your service.

 

[Armybrat]

Salute to all veterans including my Dad
(after the Battle of Attu - May, 1943)

 

[Watertender]

I have heard that about 10% of the armed forces actually see combat but the others make it possible. You signed up and gave Uncle Sam the blank check and he filled it out the way he did. Thank you for your service.

I've heard it called tooth to tail ratio. During WW2 in the European Theater it took 7 people to support 1 man in actual combat. In the Pacific Theater it was 21 to 1.
All served and I am thankful for every one of them.
My grandfather on my mother's side was stationed at Pearl Harbor on the Ten Ten Dry Dock as a Molder 1st Class in the US Navy. He worked in the foundry making parts and repairing the ships. He was sent directly from boot camp to Hawaii as a Molder 2nd Class because of his civilian occupation.

 

[Armybrat]

I've heard it called tooth to tail ratio. During WW2 in the European Theater it took 7 people to support 1 man in actual combat. In the Pacific Theater it was 21 to 1.
All served and I am thankful for every one of them.
My grandfather on my mother's side was stationed at Pearl Harbor on the Ten Ten Dry Dock as a Molder 1st Class in the US Navy. He worked in the foundry making parts and repairing the ships. He was sent directly from boot camp to Hawaii as a Molder 2nd Class because of his civilian occupation.

They ALL served

 

[NC FNS]

I appreciate all of our veterans. Found this story today, maybe more appropriate for Memorial Day, but it brightened my day.

https://nypost.com/2025/11/11/world...for-graves-of-american-soldiers-for-80-years/

 

[turd]

This is always a very emotional day for me. I wasn't able to serve because of my knee, and I have always felt a bit guilty because of that. My father (gone now, but Navy in WWII), BIL, three cousins and my nephew and a nephew in law have all served. Two in Viet Nam. Navy, Marines, Seabees, Army, and Air Force. I thank all veterans whether combat or not from deep within for your service to our country.

 

[Jagdhund]

Tuesday, 11/11
...appreciate those who served/serve our country.
Thanks.

"It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it.”

General Robert E. Lee, to General James Longstreet during the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862.



https://www.thefp.com/p/things-worth-remembering-finding-meaning-in-the-madness-of-war

Thank you! Vietnam '70 -'71.

 

[Threespears]

To All who served a SINCERE THANK YOU!!!

 

[KIR]

Everyone who served had their own reasons. Thanks to those for altruistic reasons.
Also, thanks to those who appreciated that service by thanking those veterans, albeit with a jelly donut, cup of coffee, a special meal or a percentage off of their goods that they may sell.
I was therefore surprised by the lack of discounts from a couple of "big box" stores that had no special discounts for their firearms. I was looking for a handgun and one store only had their year round discount of 5%. Not saying that I deserved anything as I did volunteer. Just makes one wonder how much some places appreciate what is done for them. Maybe "Black Friday" will be a better time for what I want to purchase (ironically).

 

[Watertender]

I received something today that I don't feel worthy of. As some of you know XUSNORDIE's son is a ceremonial guard and pallbearer at Arlington Cemetery.
He sent me a belt buckle that he has worn to bury our honored veterans.
I'm overwhelmed by this and will proudly show the veterans that I know.

 

[Hankus]

As a non-combat veteran,, in my younger years, I wouldn't say much about me being a veteran. I felt I wasn't quite "the same" as those who had suffered combat.

Yet,, many years ago,, in about 1985,, when Lee Greenwood was performing at a concert I was at,, he asked all of us who were or had served to please stand. I almost didn't stand, but the lady I was with insisted. Lee told the crowd,, "Folks,, these are the people we owe our freedoms to. They have served, and many have suffered. Some may have never seen combat,, but they were willing to go. I have a new song,, I want to dedicate to all Veterans here."
He then sang "God Bless The USA" for us. And it was the first time I had heard the song.

That day,, I felt a little bit more like I was part of the brotherhood of servicemen. And soon, a few Vets told me basically that it did not matter when I served,, because I had served.

Ever since I was discharged, I have always taken the day off, to allow myself the quiet reflection of what this day is about.

To all my brothers,, "Thank you."

And thank you, brother.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I received something today that I don't feel worthy of. As some of you know XUSNORDIE's son is a ceremonial guard and pallbearer at Arlington Cemetery.
He sent me a belt buckle that he has worn to bury our honored veterans.
I'm overwhelmed by this and will proudly show the veterans that I know.

Carl, if he sent it to you that means you are worthy. He appreciated your support and gifts you sent while he was assigned to USNCG Casket Bearers Platoon. He actually said it's people like you that make it worth serving. He transferred to Port Hueneme a couple weeks back to resume life as a Navy Seabee. The two years spent as a Casket Bearer and presenting flags to family has instilled a deep respect of Country and Veterans within him. He was wearing his Service Dress Blues when the Wife and I drove him to Reagan International....he's definitely proud of that Ceremonial Guard Ribbon he earned from attending 976 funerals of fallen active duty and Veterans laid to rest in Arlington, Annapolis, and other locations. One day, he too will be a proud Veteran.

 

[jimbo1096]

Thank you, Brothers
jh

 

[Rustynuts]

Remembering my dad, who was a tank driver under Patton. He landed on Utah Beach { 610th Tank Destroyer Battalion } and was at the Battle of the Bulge, the Ardennes, etc. Gods speed, Pop, and a huge THANK YOU to all vets, past and present

 

[Jeepnik]

Rusty, my dad took the same route. In our very small world I have to wonder if they ever met.

In the small world theme my dad went right by the American Cemetery for the WWI Muse Ardennes battle. He never knew his father was buried there.

Your father and mine fight over the same ground as my grandfather.

 

[p345Fan]

Everyone who served had their own reasons. Thanks to those for altruistic reasons.
Also, thanks to those who appreciated that service by thanking those veterans, albeit with a jelly donut, cup of coffee, a special meal or a percentage off of their goods that they may sell.
I was therefore surprised by the lack of discounts from a couple of "big box" stores that had no special discounts for their firearms. I was looking for a handgun and one store only had their year round discount of 5%. Not saying that I deserved anything as I did volunteer. Just makes one wonder how much some places appreciate what is done for them. Maybe "Black Friday" will be a better time for what I want to purchase (ironically).

Galco gives vets 20% off. I am going to by my veteran son a shoulder rig for Christmas.