Bear with me, Terry... There was an aspect of the previous thread that had some very positive stuff going on...

I'm not a joiner... Yet... I believe that unification based on commonality of interests is a majorpower that is neglected in today's world of "ME ism"!!!

Perhaps the "imagined" deversity expressed in these discussions is really a sense of "RESPECT"!!!

For instance (and I think it applies to many of us here)... the difference between those who actually served IN combat, and those of us who "might have", but (thank GOD!!!) didn't.... is something that many of us feel is noteworthy!!! Now, I "served" (was DRAFTED, let there be NO mistake about it!!!) during the VietNam "Era"! So... I've learned over the years... I am a VietNam "ERA" veteran...! Wonderful!!! There's no doubt that I am NOT a VietNam Veteran!!! I have friends that WERE... and ARE!!! And I would NEVER imply that our experiences were the same! The VVA has had the "liberal" application of the membership criteria to include us "ERA" vets... "Thank You"...! I am NOT the same as someone who had someone who was actually TRYINGto kill him, in spite of my over-indulgence in dramamine and a few days of dry heaves during which, I wished I COULD die!!!

The bottom line here is: "Thank You"!!! You Combat Vets have my unbridled respect! You have my unrelenting support! And, when someone responds to the VVA patch on my vest I'm quick to explain... "I'm an "Era" Vet"!!!

After a rather interesting experience at the 225th anniversary of the Siege of Charles Town (War of the American Rebellion) reenactment during which
(while swatting coastal South Carolina's 2 1/2 pound mosquitoes) I learned of two critically ill Hessian reenactors, and after my Uncle's and my Dad's military funerals, I began to reassess my responsibilities for my brothers and my own well-being (good fortune) in life... There was a period of questions of combat vets as well as on-line research into the philosphy and such of the VVA... The result:

I became a life member of VVA... Not so much for ME... but MORE for my Dad, and my Uncles, friends and brothers (those I have already met and those whom I have yet to meet).

Alias is one of these "brothers"... haven't met him, but he IS one of my generation, and a person that (through this forum) I've come to respect!!! There are many more here, so I'm not just picking on you, Alias!!!

We're a complex group of people, our generation (gotta love the Patti Smith rendition of "My Generation"... but I digress!!!). It's important to honor those who have experienced a bit more "Stress" that others of us have experienced... Some of us believe that "might have been" dosen't really equate with "WAS"!!!... and... that the hand extended in brotherhood really needs to be me with a heartfelt Hug, pat on the back and a hearty "welcome home"!!!

My Uncle Willie was a medic on the beaches of Normandy... he became a tank commander (always liked machinery) within a few months!!! My dad was a member of the Merchant Marine. My Uncle Harold was... well... the way he came back from the war, there were whisperings that he had liberated one or several of the concentration camps... he never spoke of the war!!! My Syrian Aunt Mary flew planes (non-combat)... My mother was a welder!!! All served... some in different levels of intensity and risk!!!

It is the knowledge of these differences in service amoung our generation that gives us the commonality of experince and brotherhood AS WELL AS the individual space and RESPECT that has been earned, sometimes at a great cost of physical or emotional investment... We are ALL united in the support of those who come after us!!!

That reco

 

Kinda reminds me of a veterans day ceremony I participated in. They discovered the unclaimed ashes of veterans, whohad sat for years at a funeral home waiting for someone to claim them. the local vets cemetary and others started a motion to find these ashes, and conduct a fitting ceremony to honor these vets with military honors and burial at thevets cemetary.

Kinda big deal in my mind. However, as I and a few other vets noted,the majority of people attending the memorial were vets.very few non-vets. Guess it goes back to one of the Army's tenets: I will never leave a fallen comrade. In this case, vets were taking care offellow vets.

 

Jim,

My locking of the thread had nothing to do with whether or not you saw combat in Vietnam or any other war. It was strictly due to the "Club" info being given out. If you look at the date of the thread you will see that it was very old and just brought back up yesterday. There were only a couple of current posts as of the time I locked it. The person that started the thread was making statements that I (along with several others) felt were disrespectful. The thread was locked for that reason and that reason only.

 

Jim,

I was of the VietNam era but fortunately for me did not have to go. You see, I was the sole surviving son of a deceased vet (Marine DI) who could be drafted but not sent into combat. ( I think the designation was 4H) As a result Uncle Sam said, go on to college and get an education, which I did. Many friends did not come back. I visit their names on the wall every Memorial Day. I remember the classes we had together, the times at the beach and how they were cut down far too early. Because of this and 18 years of boot camp whether I wanted it or not, the flame of patriotism burns hot within me. It pizzes me off to see someone mistreating vets of any era or disrespect to our flag or leaders. I don't agree with everything George W says and does but I do defend his right to say it and the rights of others. I thank those who currently serve, who have stood that post, walked that line and been on the wall so that I, my wife, son and granddaughters can live in the greatest country in the world and do so with freedom and for the most part without fear.

Thank you sir, for your service and for all those who served and especially those who gave it all. We're forever in your debt

Steve

 

Steve... I didn't do anything to deserve anyone's thanks!!! I just sat on a ship and chugged dramamine!!!

What I was responding to was a poster's comments about issues that keep coming up and I wanted to say that there was a multiplicity of feelings that people have about their own "service" in relationship to the "service" of others... I think that we all have a great deal of respect for one another and that the issues that keep coming up just reflect that respect that we all feel. The issues that keep coming up reflect the complexity of the times and the unreal situations that so many of us (though plucked from a common pot) were forced to deal with. I will always give a great deal of respect and compassion to those who found themselves in situations that many of us should thank our lucky stars to have avoided... With the understanding that it was just "Dumb luck" that saved many of our Butts, and an unyielding dedication toour contemporaries who may not have been so fortunate!!!

What I'm trying to say is that though we have so many different experiences and levels of involvement in that war (and those previous and since), that we would be best served to embrace that commonality of experience and stand as a united front in support of those who have fought, those who ARE fighting, and those whose ideals promote peace. We're all after the same end! Our disagreements are minor as compared to our common goals!!!

I'm not much of a joiner... but I'm proud to stand at PGR missions with so many others with whom I share a common ideal and dedication.

I know the "Grunts" would respond with a "Semper Fi"... us Navy guys would (in my day) just respond with a "thumbs up" and the comment: "Duude"!!!

Jim aka kiltiemon (we have a Soldier coming back to Miami next week sometime... This Soldier will have an escort and an honor guard... many different vests... many different patches...No superficial BS!!! ONE Mindset!!!)

 

Man, this subject is going to touch some nerves, I can see it coming. However, my opinion and view is going to be heard, because this is a subject very near and dear to my heart. Being a vet of current wars, I've got a great appreciation/love for my brothers/sisters-in-arms despite if they have combat experience or not. I have the same love and admiration for anyone who has served before, regardless. I'm in the Air Force and am in a career field who is one of a few in the Air Force who serve a combat roll. Everyone in every service provides a vital roll in completeing the mission. I've said this on a thread not long ago, and I'l say it again. The finance folks who may never see combat, but they make sure I get paid. The supply guy who gets my MREs to me before I go out on a 28 hour route clearance or to recover a fallen brother/sister, or even that IED response only 2 KM from base. He might not see combat either, but he provides a vital roll to me, one I appreciate. That C130 pilot who flies cargo in and out of theater may not see combat either, but he gets me the gear I need to do my job and ensures it gets there on time. The docs at a hospital in TX or DC who are helping my brothers and sisters who have lost limbs. He/she may not see combat either, but they're just as important. If you serve or have served, you deserve respect, regardless of if you've seen combat or not. It goes the same for all of the services too. If one service thinks that can do it all without the others, they got another thing coming. We all are an integral part of defending freedom and that's what makes us the strongest and most feared military in the world. That's just the way I see it. Ok, enough of my babbling, time for me to sum this up: If you're a vet, regardless of combat affiliation, you have my respect and admiration and you should have the same repect and admiration for your former, current, and future brothers/sisters-in-arms.For those that havew served, currently serve, and might serve in the future, I salute you.[sm=usa.gif] [sm=americanasmiley.gif][sm=biker2.gif][sm=patriot.gif]Now, can't we all just get along.

 

07RoadGlide.
Well said.

 

(thumbs up) Duude!

 

I've always felt we're all brothers (or sisters) in arms whether we actually fired the weapon or not. I'm near Ft. Lewis and so see a lot of the current generation in uniform around. Never fail to stop and say hi if the occasion arises.

 

Ed so eloquently said that which I was trying to convey. The fact that someone took time away from family and a safe environment to work for the greater good to protect us all is worthy of my thanks. As Ed said, without the guy getting his MRE's , he'd go to a hot zone hungry and that might just be worry enough or deprive him of energy enough to afect his survivability. Every job is important. I say this as a military brat from the big green machine pointof view. Thanks again to all who have worn, still wear or will wear the uniform. You're all heroes to me

Steve