I just wonder if Iraq / A-stan vets will be brushed under the carpet as badly Vietnam vets.

Time will tell.

i'm a vietnam vet and i never really felt that i was "brushed under the carpet." i guess it's a matter of individual perspective.

<= non vet

I would simply like to say 'Thank you' to all those out there who have had the courage and ability enough to serve us in the military. I didn't realize until my junior year of high school how much our military men mean to our country - as of that period in time, I have tried to show how much our military men mean to us.

The use of sales and commercialization of memorial and veterans day sickens me. To cheapen the great sacrifice of those who have died to serve our country is disgusting, and I encourage the boycott every company that advertises memorial day sales. I feel this way especially with two good friends leaving for Iraq in August.

So to all those whio have served - I truely appreciate what you have done, thank you.

bump for the 4th...

The bump is a good idea, UP. My birthday is Veteran's Day, so I've always had a fascination and respect for those in the military. I was too young for Vietnam and too old for Desert Storm, but that doesn't diminish the admiration and gratitude I feel for those who serve.

Thank you humbly, on this upcoming Independence Day, and everyday.

http://www.reevesphotographics.com/i...s/PICT0038.jpg

Thank you for your service.

As for OEF/OIF vets being brushed under the carpet, I can say almost positively that it won't happen. First of all, the Vietnam vets themselves see to that as often as possible. When our planes land in Dallas (or Atlanta for those living on the east coast) when we come home from our tours or even for leave, there are a ton of people there to support us, shake our hands and welcome us home. For many of us it's a bit awkward, but knowing what a lot of them went through with nobody around to care for them when they got home, it puts it into perspective and most of us are very thankful for them.

Secondly, there's a very strong sentiment of supporting soldiers even if you don't support the war. Nearly everyone I've met that knows I'm a soldier, even in passing, has expressed those feelings as well. There's a difference between being against a war and being against fellow Americans who choose to serve their country. I'm glad that many people see that.

For units outbound and inbound from theatre, the Patriot Guard Riders escort us to and from the airport to our home stations. This happens for all National Guard as far as I know, since we fly out of commercial airports. No clue if the regular Army gets the same treatment.

I don't feel that we'll be in the same boat.

We'll escort anyone if we're invited. It's a great feeling to be part of welcome homes. Once a PGR state captain is informed of an impending homecoming or send-off, he/she will start the contact process to procure an invite. We've been very warmly received and are often humbled by the thanks we get from the soldiers. It's been an honor.

bump for armistice day...

I am a foreign national, RA volunteer veteran of Vietnam. I served with the American forces in II Corps, 1966-67.

I don’t know if it constitutes a “gripe” but I feel that my fellow veterans take the experience too seriously. There’s a pompous attitude that I find very distasteful.

We did it. We were there. As far as the discrimination we experienced afterward – fair enough. I’m with you 100%. No. 1000%. But using the status of veteran as a “get-out-of-jail-free-card”, or “Yeah-I’m-guilty-of-the-crime-but-I’m-a-veteran-so-back-off” or “I-know-more-about-the-war-in-Vietnam-than-anyone-who-wasn’t-there” ……………… well, that’s a load of pathetic BULLSHIT. It's a crutch for people with no character and even less backbone.

I concur.

Having survived something such as these conflicts we've been through should make you stronger, more able to deal with the crap back home.

Amen, brother.

I am not a veteran, so I can not say that I fully understand the times you people have endured.

I will say that I appreciate the freedoms we have because of our veterans.

Thank you.

"Don't thank me! Thank your recruiter!"

I think I'm doing guard / reserve after college.

My chevrons are getting dusty.

If you'd like to personally thank our brave servicemen, Xerox is once again sponsoring a site where you can send a postcard to military personnel stationed overseas, to show your support & appreciation for their service to our country.

http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1024.html

Send baby wipes, caffeine pills, and porno.

Crompsin is that all I'm going to need? lol

I'm leaving for Afghan next month. I'm excited, the nervousness hasn't set in yet.

What MOS / unit?

It was very nice of you to say that. But because you were so nice it makes it difficult for me to say something that I must say.

We, who fought in Vietnam, didn’t do anything to secure freedom for anyone. I think we (as a whole, but certainly not individualy) put freedom back a couple of decades more than anything else.

We proved that a foreign military force could invade another country against its’ own majority wishes and deprive those people of their own freedom while doing nothing for the good of the American population either, other than to boost the income of the already rich american businessmen.

The average American citizen however, gained nothing from the war. As a matter of fact those guys (us) were put into a dangerous situation and cost many thousands of our lives not to mention how many Vietnamese perished. Lord only knows that.

…. and what happened to us, who survived, is another terrible story. The end of which is not yet come. We got fucked. Royally fucked.

But that doesn't diminish the value of your appreciation. Thank you very much for saying it.

You're even more of a realists than I am, Crompsin. :) How is it that you've escaped the "warning percentage scale" while I'm already well on my way to hitting the half-way mark? :oogle:

Only because you can't see my warning scale. :thumbsup:

Your perspective on Vietnam is my perspective on the GWoT.

The more things change, bro...

A-ha! I didn't now that. So you can't see mine either? I thought that everyone was privy to my disfavour by "the brass". :)


You'll have to forgive my ignorance ... what does it mean "GWoT"? Is it something to do with Global Warming?

i believe it's an acronym for "global war on terror..."

Ah yes, that makes sense. It's the first time I've seen it.


I see your point now.

Who is it that's waging that war anyway? It looks like it could be "the chicken or egg" to me. :oogle:

bump...

GWoT? Oh, that's that brainchild of George Dubya and all his little minions.

Basics - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_on_Terrorism

"Progress" - http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/progress/

Wait... he's banned. :confused:

but the thread ain't...

Howdy, gang. Just popping in and bumping the thread by way of introduction.

Just got back from my second trip over to Ee-raq-nam less than a week ago. Yeah, I'm a wuss for only going twice... but OTOH, it was a year each time. Slated to go for another 12 starting in June, but we'll see.

I'd like to start by sharing the coolest fucking Christmas card EVER, which still hangs inside the 'expeditionary patrol base' we have in the sleepy little town of Khaffajiya:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2350/...41643c8ece.jpg

Glad I found this thread. I'll probably be back here. A lot.

e5d, i'm saving that picture to e-mail out this christmas to anyone i know who is over there...thanks for sharing...

E5D- that pic is great. none of our Christmas cards were that cool :p

NSFW

Hell, I have a picture of the single best card you can get while deployed:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...steryCard1.jpg http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13...steryCard2.jpg

Lemme tell ya, Sgt Dubois was walkin' on sunshine for a month after that one.

...

Most of us didn't get a whole lot of mail while deployed. Sometimes what we got was straight bad.

:rolleyes:

lemme guess...his nickname was "woody?"

Doobie... but Woody would have worked. He was pretty damn stiff-assed for a genius farm boy.

I remember when he got that card... man, everybody was excited for him.

He married that girl, BTW. He's one of the ones that got called back with me.

Okay, well, I can admit when I'm beat. That pretty much tops mine! :D

haha, yeah... helluva card!

bump for the weekend...

To my brothers-in-arms, you may be gone but NEVER forgotten.

/Salute

How lame is it that I have absolutely NO PLANS this weekend? Seriously, not even a cookout or anything.

I'm hoping something just falls into my lap, else I'll spend a lot of time PTing.

On Sunday, the NJ Patriot Guard will be participating in a memorial park dedication. Along with their families, most of whom we were with in their darkest time, we will stand in honor of these brave men and women who, in doing their job, paid the ultimate sacrifice.
If you want to spend this weekend doing what it's meant for, there's no finer way than 'Standing with Respect".
To find something in your area, just go to the column on the right: Patriot Guard

You don't have to be on two wheels, you just have to have respect.
Have a safe and peaceful Memorial Day weekend, everyone.

In memory of SPC Benjamin Smith (November 2005, Baghdad, Iraq), SSG Charles Browning (01Jun07, Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan, B Co, 1-158 Inf Bn) and PFC Mykel Miller (06Sep07, Zabul, Afghanistan, B Co, 1-158 Inf Bn)