BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS

Subject: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: Chip2447
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 12:23 PM

I would like to offer Thanks to all the Catters and guests who have worn the uniform for their country. Thank you for being there in case your were called, needed or no. Thank you for the sacrifices that you've made. Thanks for helping to keep the peace.
From one Veteran to another...
Chip2447

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: Gervase
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 12:40 PM

Hmm, as an international forum, this could prove tricky. Do we have any Afghan posters here?

Reminds me of That Bloody Woman (groan) - she was being driven down a street when she saw a beggar crosslegged in a doorway clutching a sign which read "Falklands Veteran".
"Stop the car!" commands the Iron Lady. She gets out and walks across to the beggar, cooing at him "My poor, poor man - to have fought for your country and to have helped define my finest hour, and now you're reduced to this."
She reaches into her handbag and drops a crisp tenner into his hat. The beggar looks up and smiles. "Muchos Gracias!"
But, to bring things back to a more respectful note, a good thought, Chip, and seconded from this side of gthe Atlantic.

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: kendall
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 01:53 PM

You're welcome.

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: Mrrzy
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 02:55 PM

Personally I prefer to celebrate Armistice Day. While I do, absolutely, honor those that have fought for my causes, I prefer to celebrate the END OF WAR than the individuals who fought in them. So at 11:11 on 11/11/1 I shall pause for reflection, as I try to do every year. This year's will be more reflective, I think, than any year since 1983 when my Dad was killed by the Hezbollah. Who, if you read today's news, are apparently not a terrorist organization, go figure.

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: RangerSteve
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 07:30 PM

Thanks, Chip, and the same to you. And the rest of you vets. Steve, USN, 1969-73.

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 07:39 PM

I like to think of celebrating Armistice Day as the end of the War for those that fought in it.

(Thats not of course meant to be at variance with anyone else's opinions....its just how I look at it personally)

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 07:59 PM

Thanks - and Thank You all for your service. I don't care what uniform you wore, who you fought, when you fought, or even if you fought - Just Thanks for your service.

And Thanks to all of those who waited at home, who wrote us letters, nursed our wounds, and kept on makin music.

I was looking at a thread the other day and it went right through the towers attack without a blip. Stayed right on the music. There are lots of worlds and different wars being fought every day - need to do our best to stay on "The Sunny Side."

Steve
Semper Fidelis
US Marines
1962 - 1967

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From:
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 10:05 PM

Thank y ou. Same to you. And if any Afghan veterans are here, I wish you well. mg

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: GUEST,faswilli2
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 01:24 AM

Thanks Chip and thanks Paul.. I have the same perspective.VN 59,70,71.

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: kendall
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 05:44 AM

Gervase, that is a great story!

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 10:40 AM

I received this from my cousin, this morning. I hope you do not mind my posting it here. It is a little early for Christmas, but seems to be appropriate for Veteran's Day. I, too, prefer the meaning behind Armistice Day, but also found this meaningful, despite my mixed feelings about the current situation:

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,

HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

"This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable.....

"PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.

"Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your part to plant this small seed."

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: DougR
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 01:56 PM

Thank you.

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: Gypsy
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 08:48 PM

Now that i am done crying, Kat......have many veterans in my life, ranging from WW2, to current. My thanks go to you, and your families. To the ones that came home, and the ones that didn't. The ones who recieved parades, which weren't enough, and the ones who recieved violence upon their return. I thank you all, and you have my deepest respect, and admiration.

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: CarolC
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 08:53 PM

My thanks to the veterans.

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: Banjer
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 10:21 PM

Thanks to all. I intend to visit the graves of friends at our local cemetery who left us all too soon in the service of their country tomorrow 11/11. On Monday, the day that our government has set aside as the observed Veterans Day, I will be at the local VA Center taking part in the annual celebration. I will be there with my Civil War field piece , manned by this years Army Junior ROTC Honor Guard. We have done this for the past eight or nine years as part of the program at the Dixie Hollins High School. It is really heartning to see these kids taking these holidays seriously and knowing that long after we are gone the traditions will live on! Thanks for the thoughts,

Banjer
US Army
68-69-70

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: okthen
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 06:11 AM

I have just observed a minutes silence as I try to every year, I displayed my poppy as I do every year.

"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: GUEST,John Gray/Australia
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 07:15 AM

Eric Bogle is singing at the Wall on Veterans Day.

JG / FME ( RAN, VietNam 69 & 71 )

Subject: RE: BS: VETERANS DAY THANKS
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 11 Nov 01 - 11:44 AM

They have my thanks.

Rick