Annual Vetereans Day Sound Off

[Steve in SLO]

This seems to happen each year, so I'll start off:
Army 10 years, Medical Corps. 2Lt-->Major
Mostly stationed in Hawaii with 'trips' elsewhere, so not too tough.
Lots of good people, lots of fond memories.
Huah!

[eddief]

so proud of those who serve(d), glad to be protected:

http://www.imow.org/dynamic/user_images/user_images_file_name_7694.jpg

[97CSI]

Vietnam veteran. 8-years, 2-months and 5-days on active duty. And all I got was a crummy t-shirt (doesn't even say Serotta). But...... who was counting? :)

[fourflys]

sure, why not... :)

Active Duty Coast Guard 1993-present
E-8/Health Services Senior Chief (Corpsman/Medic)

currently going to college full time on the Coast Guard's dime (and getting my full salary!) and off somewhere to be a clinic administrator...

Thanks to all who have made it possible for me to serve and enjoy my Liberty!

Chris

[dogdriver]

"Here's a nickel in the grass to you, my friends. When you are gone, the world will be a lesser place."

(Not my words). Happy day, and thanks, Vets!

[C5 Snowboarder]

Thanks Steve---
Spc5 Army -- 1967-1970 -- Nha Trang and PhuLam Vietnam..

thanks Veterans - Specially my Dad who passed away several years ago-- He served proudly in WWII -

[Ken Robb]

Army Reserve 1965-66, Enlisted Regular Army 1966, Commissioned as 2LT 1967, discharged from active duty 1LT OCT 1969. Mostly rewarding times.

[swg]

Army 4 years 76-80 in Fulda Germany. 11th Armored Calvalry - Blackhorse Regiment. Lifetime member of the Border Legion. No combat but sure was cold.

Rode a Puch while I was there.

[john903]

Good Morning, yes Happy Veteran's day. Thank You all who are serving and have served. I was Army 1981-1985, Coast Guard 1987-2003 now retired. My job now is a school bus driver I loved the military and love driving my school bus.

One of our fellow school bus drivers was a refugee out of Vietnam and tells me when ever i meet a Vietnam Veteran to tell them the Vietnam people say Thank You for being there.
Now iam off for a ride, have fun.

[spiderman]

LT, MC, USNR, acls, atls, pals, nals, also, bls and chcs!
1990-1998
navhosp nas jax
navhosp mcas cherry point
fleet hospital 5

[firerescuefin]

96-2000: USAF - Firefighter, Eglin AFB, Fl

NATO civilian - 2000-2006 - Balkans and Middle East Theaters

Thanks to all who have made the sacrifice to serve.

[dave thompson]

USAF '61~65. Now, a Marine Dad.

[learlove]

I'll give recognition to a slightly different kind of veteran. My mother, who raised 2 kids and sent them to college on a nurses salary after her husband got in his fighter jet one day and never returned.

[Steve in SLO]

LT, MC, USNR, acls, atls, pals, nals, also, bls and chcs!
1990-1998
navhosp nas jax
navhosp mcas cherry point
fleet hospital 5
CHCS...Good one. I was in on the implementation of that one at Tripler AMC. Funny thing is we are implementing electronic charting at my current hospital this week. Same gripes as 20 years ago with CHCS.

[spiderman]

CHCS...Good one. I was in on the implementation of that one at Tripler AMC. Funny thing is we are implementing electronic charting at my current hospital this week. Same gripes as 20 years ago with CHCS.

we were a beta site in my internship...
...can't tell you the number of order sets i put in that system...
now we're paying people huge dollars
to do what i was doing in my 'spare time'!
and imho they're not half as good :eek:

[jeo99]

Volunteered for the annual Veterans Day celebration at Great Lakes National Cemetary as usual. Then had several beers after.

Served 30 months with the 82nd Airborne 3rd Brigade mostly along the Cambodian border. E5 Weapons Specialist.

:beer:

[palincss]

US Army, 1966-1970. Commissioned 2LT Aug 1967 at Aberdeen Proving Ground; stationed in W. Germany 1967-1969, and the US Army Depot in Qui Nhon, RVN 1970. Left the Army in Aug 1970 as a CPT.

[fjaws]

USAF 1986 - Present; retirement is imminent!

Altus, Ok
Kadena, Okinawa
Yokota, Japan
Dover, De
Rosie Roads, Puerto Rico
Prince Sultan, Saudi Arabia
Sigonella NAS, Sicily
Mildenhall, England
Rota NAS, Spain

Thanks to all who have served before me. :beer:

[gdw]

Army 1981-83. Recalled in 84 and 85. 11B1P+2P. 2/504 and 1/505, 82nd Airborne.

[bobswire]

USAF 1962-66 Air Policeman
Altus AFB Oak. SAC 1962-64
Bein Hoa Air Base, Vietnam 1964-66

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

1968-72 Old Fillmore, Back Stage Door Man, the Military training help me to fend off wild groupies. :banana:

[Jeff N.]

USAF, '68-'72. Takhli, Thailand. Ubon, Thailand. Guam. Nellis AFB. March AFB. Loaded bombs of F-4's, F-105's, B-52's. Worked on Vulcan cannons, Miniguns. Long time ago. Jeff N.

[Jeff N.]

/

[PaMtbRider]

Army 83-86 right out of high school. Ft Ord in Monterey California was a great assignment to spend my 3 years of active duty.

[BlackTiBob]

Our club did a ride today to the Minnesota Vet's memorial site by our state capital.
Very moving. WWII memorial area, Korean conflict area, and Vietnam memorial with wall with names of deceased by year.

Thanks to all the vets who served so we are free to ride.

[wc1934]

Army 70-72 drafted right after college.

My hero is my dad - WWII - ball turret gunner - shot down - POW in a German concentration camp.

[Steve in SLO]

Army 70-72 drafted right after college.

My hero is my dad - WWII - ball turret gunner - shot down - POW in a German concentration camp.

Wow, a ball turret gunner shot down was lucky to have been alive

[Peter P.]

USAF, Sgt, August '78-82. Columbus AFB, MS, and RAF Bentwaters, UK. Security Police. I can't believe they let such young people like myself carry weapons!

[Zoomie80]

USAF, Retired Lt Col after 21 years in comms/computers
- 80-85: Programmer Analyst at Scott AFB, IL
- 85-88: AFROTC Instructor at University of Washington
- 88-92: Computer Systems Manager at Falcon AFB, CO (AF space ops)
- 92-94: Comm Maintenance Chief, Andrews AFB, MD
- 94-96: Commander, 22d Comm Squadron, McConnell AFB, KS
- 96-99: AF Y2K Program Manager, CIO Support, Pentagon
- 99-01: Chief, IT Systems, National Reconnaissance Office

My father is a retired navy chief; middle brother was a Captain (intelligence officer) in Army Reserve until he separated; and youngest brother is a C-130 navigator and Lt Col in AF Reserve, currently teaching at USAF Academy and coaches the cadet triathlon team.

Much thanx to all the veterans that came before us, and all those currently serving to protect our nation and way of life.

Go Falcons!

[wc1934]

Wow, a ball turret gunner shot down was lucky to have been alive

exactly - lots of narrow misses from flack, being shot at while parachuting down etc - all on a Friday the 13th - maintains that was his lucky day - he made it down alive - many in the squadron did not.

[97CSI]

Need to get Peter Chisholm, owner of Vecchio's bicycle shop in Boulder (great shop - has about everything Campy that one could want as well as some of the coolest steel bikes one could wish for) to post here. He was an F-4 Phantom jockey (on the Kitty Hawk?) during the same period of time I was on the Enterprise.

[rustychisel]

exactly - lots of narrow misses from flack, being shot at while parachuting down etc - all on a Friday the 13th - maintains that was his lucky day - he made it down alive - many in the squadron did not.

respect to all, it isn't me, but I'll never lose an opportunity to talk about my dad, who died in 2000.

F/Lt RAAF DSO, DFC, George Medal. 1943 - 1945. Pathfinder Force, flew Lancasters from Little Staughton, 65 operations, more than 3 times the average expectancy of Bomber Command crew, shot down twice, second time won a posthumous VC for his pilot.

Tears in my eyes now

[firerescuefin]

Need to get Peter Chisholm, owner of Vecchio's bicycle shop in Boulder (great shop - has about everything Campy that one could want as well as some of the coolest steel bikes one could wish for) to post here. He was an F-4 Phantom jockey (on the Kitty Hawk?) during the same period of time I was on the Enterprise.

Actually...he does.

[choke]

Sgt, USMC, 1985-91, 0331/8156

Camp Pendleton
Okinawa/Korea
US Embassy Moscow, USSR
US Embassy Bonn, FRG
Desert Storm

[learlove]

Both my grandfathers were in WW2. One (fathers side) was Army infantry in Europe. He surrived the D-day landing and into Belgium only to be sent home right before the Battle of the Buldge because his father died and had a dairy farm in PA. The war department said it was manditory that my grandfather return home to run the farm as it was essential to the war effort.

My other grandfather (mothers side) was Army infantry in the Pacific. He surrived the invasion of Sipan and one other island I can't remember right now. He was trained an an anti tank team (3 men) but seeing as the Japanise had limited tanks on the islands his team was turned into one of the flame thrower anti cave/pillbox teams.

His brother was a tailgunner on B-17's. He did 25 missions with the 15th Air Force in Africa/Italy in March-July 1943 then returned (volunteered) and did 25 more with the 8th Air Force out of England. He had 2 kills, one an Italian Fiat and an ME-109. When he was with the 15th in Africa on of the first cities in Italy he bombed was Foggia. That is where his family (grandparents and before) lived. He came home from his second tour in early 44 and trained new gunners on the B-29 for the Pacific theater. He got tired of being an instructor and volunteered again as a B-29 gunner. His new B-29 squadron was one week from leaving for their base in the Pacific when the war ended in 45.

[RABikes2]

U.S. Navy 1974-78
ABH2 on a flight line & NATOPS qualified as a Utility Aircrewman on P-3's
First woman in both jobs.

My Dad will be 86 years old in January. He is a WWII vet, 1944-46, and was a signalman in the Navy.

[bigbill]

Joined the Navy in 1985 and have been serving since. I've gone from Seaman Recruit to Lieutenant Commander, served on four submarines, three carriers, and one submarine tender. Currently on what I hope to be my last carrier. Done some really crappy deployments including two OEF deployments and the intial OIF deployment for shock and awe. I've spent 159 continous days at sea on a carrier and 117 days submerged on a sub. Did four submarine missions and eight trident patrols. Can't say I hate it all the time, but when you are the same age as the parents of the people working for you, it may be time to move on.

The Navy pays me well and keeps me in nice bikes. I've had the opportunity to ride in Sardinia, mainland Italy, France, and Montenegro. I've been around the world, crossed the equator, passed through the Suez and Panama canals, crossed the date line numerous times, and done laps around the north pole. Not many people can check all that off the list.

[Steve in SLO]

My 11 year old daughter just returned from a Campfire Girls activity that included serving dinner to and singing patriotic songs to veterans. She loved it and said there were about 50 vets there, most with WW2 caps on. We talked about what these old men had done for our country and what like was like when all the boys in a neighborhood went off to war and many did not return. She is a pretty smart kid and has put together that without the sacrifices of others she wouldn't have it so good. It's nice to instill that sense of history and appreciation into your kids and have them 'get it'.

[97CSI]

Currently on what I hope to be my last carrier. Done some really crappy deployments including two OEF deployments and the intial OIF deployment for shock and awe. I've spent 159 continous days at sea on a carrier and 117 days submerged on a sub.

I've been around the world, crossed the equator, passed through the Suez and Panama canals, crossed the date line numerous times.You may have broken the record I had the dubious honor of being on the Enterprise for in 1970. After refueling in the New Port News Shipyard ('68-9) we picked up part of the airwing and headed south. Couldn't go through the canal, so Rio for Mardi Gras (pretty good time ;) ) and around the tip of SA. Supposed to pull into Chile, but we (the USA) were too busy overthrowing their elected government, so didn't make landfall again until San Diego. Nothing like your 159 days, but still too long. Do not regret my time in the Navy. Definitely showed me the value of getting an education and taking charge of one's own life.

[palincss]

exactly - lots of narrow misses from flack, being shot at while parachuting down etc - all on a Friday the 13th - maintains that was his lucky day - he made it down alive - many in the squadron did not.

I believe the stats are something like 50% casualties in the 8th Air Force. They were even higher in Bomber Command.

[oldpotatoe]

so proud of those who serve(d), glad to be protected:

http://www.imow.org/dynamic/user_images/user_images_file_name_7694.jpg

Perhaps you would be surprised to hear that MANY VETS(me included..20 years in the USN flyin' Fighters) favor a BIG reduction in the defense budget. Why we have large garrisons of troops in Germany, Japan is incredibly wasteful. USSR is history, no RED hoard is coming over the hill headed west towards the cliffs of Dover.
We don't need to threaten the flanks of the the Soviet Union during a large conflict(why we have so much in Japan, along with Korea).

All Vets aren't rabblerousing repubs but talk about reducing the defense bidget and the repubs are going to howl.

BTW-For the 'Mustanger'...I didn't have that many continuous days at sea but in 20 years I was 'haze gray and underway' about 7 years total out of 20.

Flew for 19.3 years of the 20, loved almost every minute of it. Dark nights and pitching decks was never fun.

[fourflys]

My 11 year old daughter just returned from a Campfire Girls activity that included serving dinner to and singing patriotic songs to veterans. She loved it and said there were about 50 vets there, most with WW2 caps on. We talked about what these old men had done for our country and what like was like when all the boys in a neighborhood went off to war and many did not return. She is a pretty smart kid and has put together that without the sacrifices of others she wouldn't have it so good. It's nice to instill that sense of history and appreciation into your kids and have them 'get it'.

very cool Steve, thanks!

I constantly have to remind the younger folks in the Coast Guard what these folks have done and seen when they come in to get a med refill at the clinic... you always hear the groans "oh man, here comes the stories..." I welcome the stories (if I have time anyway) and always give the Greatest Generation my attention and respect (and Korea and Vietnam Vets as well...)

[Ahneida Ride]

To the guys that go in HARMS way ... I have the utmost respect. :banana:

To the "politicians" that that send them there ... well .... :butt:

[dsimon]

1996-current im in Iraq on my fourth go around need pics of weekend rides thats what helps get me through these times.

[jeo99]

Someone once said "It is not the minister but rather the SOLDIER that gives us Freedom of Religion, it is not the reporter but the SOLDIER that gives us Freedom of the Press and it is not the politician but the SOLDIER that guarantees us Freedom of Speech"!

:)

[BigDaddySmooth]

1986-2010, Surface Navy and AF. Afghan vet, retired 1 June 10.

USMC grunt getting shot at-"this sucks"
Army Ranger getting shot at-"this doesn't suck too bad"
Navy SEAL getting shot at-"this doesn't suck enough"
Green Beret getting shot at-"I wish this would suck more"
USAF with computer on the fritz-"this sucks"

To all the vets out there-thanks alot! Because freedom isn't free.

[sherok]

Army 11.5 Years
3 Years Enlisted with the Army Band at Fort Gordon, Georgia - Bassoonist
8.5 Years Medical Service Corps Officer
Desert Shield/Desert Storm - B/326th Medical Company 101st AB DIV
Restore Hope - Somalia - 86th Combat Support Hospital

[KeithS]

respect to all, it isn't me, but I'll never lose an opportunity to talk about my dad, who died in 2000.

F/Lt RAAF DSO, DFC, George Medal. 1943 - 1945. Pathfinder Force, flew Lancasters from Little Staughton, 65 operations, more than 3 times the average expectancy of Bomber Command crew, shot down twice, second time won a posthumous VC for his pilot.

Tears in my eyes now

A friend of mine always said about his dad who landed at Normandy and served through the Battle of the Bulge and marched into Berlin - "Balls the size of pickle jars". RustyC I get goosebumps just thinking of what he went through on one mission, he did 65! I often wonder how they did it.

I am humbled in the presence of all of you who have served and are serving.

Thank you!

[oldpotatoe]

Need to get Peter Chisholm, owner of Vecchio's bicycle shop in Boulder (great shop - has about everything Campy that one could want as well as some of the coolest steel bikes one could wish for) to post here. He was an F-4 Phantom jockey (on the Kitty Hawk?) during the same period of time I was on the Enterprise.

Thanks for the compliment.

Wings June 14th, 1974..off to VF-101, F-4 RAG(training squadron)

Phantoms(VF-33) on Independence(CV-62) 1975-1978, Phantoms USAF exchange 61st TFS/13th TFTS 1978-1980, Phantoms VF-151 USS Midway(homeported in Yokosuka Japan), 1980-1983. F-14s in VF-31 onboard Forrestal 1984-1988. Phantoms and F-14 as XO of VX-4, Pt Mugu and finally XO and CO of VF-126, Pacific Fleet Adversary Squadron(now deceased) flying A-4E,F, F+,M and F-16N.

Had 9 months at the Naval War College in Newport RI after Midway but flew the rest of the time. Loved almost all of it.

[firerescuefin]

Thanks for the compliment.

Wings June 14th, 1974..off to VF-101, F-4 RAG(training squadron)

Phantoms(VF-33) on Independence(CV-62) 1975-1978, Phantoms USAF exchange 61st TFS/13th TFTS 1978-1980, Phantoms VF-151 USS Midway(homeported in Yokosuka Japan), 1980-1983. F-14s in VF-31 onboard Forrestal 1984-1988. Phantoms and F-14 as XO of VX-4, Pt Mugu and finally XO and CO of VF-126, Pacific Fleet Adversary Squadron(now deceased) flying A-4E,F, F+,M and F-16N.

Had 9 months at the Naval War College in Newport RI after Midway but flew the rest of the time. Loved almost all of it.


OP...I have a good friend flying F-16's with the Aggressors out at Nellis...That has got to be one of the best jobs going (flying enemy tactics against friendly squadrons). That was a great career....and then owning a bike shop. You're THE MAN!

[Jeff N.]

Army 83-86 right out of high school. Ft Ord in Monterey California was a great assignment to spend my 3 years of active duty.
I read once that Clint Eastwood, drafted during the Korean war, spent his whole time in the Army as a lifeguard at the Fort Ord base pool. How tough would THAT be? Jeff N.

[fourflys]

I read once that Clint Eastwood, drafted during the Korean war, spent his whole time in the Army as a lifeguard at the Fort Ord base pool. How tough would THAT be? Jeff N.

gotta say I've got a pretty sweet gig right now... The Coast Guard is paying for me to go to college for two years to finish my degree while still getting my full salary... granted, I owe them 4 years once I'm done but I'm doing 30 anyway... (already at 17, feel like 5...)

[Dan Le foot]

Thanks for your service all.
A special welcome home to the Viet Nam vets.
I served over there for 6 weeks in 1969. Left a leg over there. (Now you know why I'm Le Foot) :D
I was retired as a PFC. One of the few in the Country.
Dan

[fourflys]

Thanks for your service all.
A special welcome home to the Viet Nam vets.
I served over there for 6 weeks in 1969. Left a leg over there. (Now you know why I'm Le Foot) :D
I was retired as a PFC. One of the few in the Country.
Dan

glad to see you got back OK... and glad to know where the name came from!

[Ken Robb]

Army 11.5 Years
3 Years Enlisted with the Army Band at Fort Gordon, Georgia - Bassoonist
8.5 Years Medical Service Corps Officer
Desert Shield/Desert Storm - B/326th Medical Company 101st AB DIV
Restore Hope - Somalia - 86th Combat Support Hospital

Now this is an unusual career path for sure. :banana:

[Jeff N.]

Thanks for your service all.
A special welcome home to the Viet Nam vets.
I served over there for 6 weeks in 1969. Left a leg over there. (Now you know why I'm Le Foot) :D
I was retired as a PFC. One of the few in the Country.
Dan
Where abouts in the 'Nam were you at, Dan?

[csm]

couple days late but....
US Army Infantry....
86 to 94 active duty, active reserves and inactive reserves. spent most of my actual "in" time in Hawaii with lots of travel.
at work on Veteran's day, the 3 of us who were vets were telling stories and I think the others that weren't were a bit jealous.

[Dan Le foot]

Where abouts in the 'Nam were you at, Dan?
I was with the Americal Division out of Chu Lai, Jeff.
Dan
Can never have enough CF

[spamjoshua]

My grandfather served, and is missed, lost this year.

My brother has been in since 89, is currently a major, home from his third trip to Iraq. He is healing.

I know the fighting does not stop when folks come home, so thank you again.

Thanks too, for the wives and families that stand strong.

Joshua

[JLNK]

Late to this thread - My father, WWII vet, staff sargeant machine gun, Battle of the Bulge, wounded, captured, escaped, talks little about the war. Me, draft for Vietnamh, 4F due to congenital spine defect. Many, many thanks to families, men, and women who serve for this country.