Veterans Day 2013- Do You Know A Veteran?

[anthony]

Heh, yeah I thought so.

I am a veteran of 6 tours, and this is not a thread for us to get praise for ourselves... so maybe cut the nonsense please.

 

[JarHed]

I like this thread. Without Veterans we wouldn't enjoy the freedoms that we all take for granted.

I'm a Marine. Served in VietNam. We don't ask why just where we need to go to get the job done. It's been that way for a long time for all the services. To all who served, you have my respect and undying gratitude. Thank you all for making this Marine glad I stopped by today and glad that I'm still around to see that people still respect and honor our sacrifices. Thanks.

Semper Fi

JarHed

 

[The Albatross]

I am TACP/ROMAD:

 

[kahlan]

I'm not trying to play sides or anything just want to make an observation. Today is about honoring the men and women who have served to preserve our liberties, that would include you albatross and your family. I don't think anything personal was meant towards you(again just my perception). Many people may not have actually served their country but have someone close to them who has sacraficed. I myself was unable to follow my dads footsteps into the marine corps due to medical issues, but do take pride in the people I know who have been able to do so. Lets not sully this day of honor with arguing please. Thank you :)

 

[The Albatross]

I am a veteran of 6 tours, and this is not a thread for us to get praise for ourselves... so maybe cut the nonsense please.

Yeah, roger that Anthony. It is not about praise. Just pissed off about the "do you know one" on our Veteran's Day. It is a day of honor here in the states. And a day of honor for my relatives. I seldom honor myself for the record, as I was non combat.

 

[The Albatross]

ROMAD: Slang term describing a group of USAF airmen that were tricked into a job no one else wanted to do.

The USAF is on the hook to supply ground personnel to the US Army in regard to Close Air Support (CAS) operations. No pussy USAF officer (pilot) ever wanted to do this job, although they were tasked with it. Said pussies found a way to have less intelligent USAF officers (Navigators or worse, Weapons officers) do the job for them (see the adventures of Huckleberry Finn).

These witless officers needed enlisted men to do the real work (carrying radios and actually operating said radios). This is were our poor ROMADS come in (Radio Operator Maintainer And Driver; some say it’s Rough On Mothers And Daughters, although I don’t deny the latter being the case its not the official story). These enlisted guys proved to be pretty smart operators and eventually leaned how to control air strikes much better than the USAF officers that were originally sent to do the job. The USAF officers quickly figured out that this was actually dangerous work and soon the ROMAD’s were running the show down where the shooting actually happens. The USAF enlisted men called ROMAD’s rarely get recognition and get a hell of a lot done. Now ladies, get down the ROMAD barracks at Hurlburt Field Florida and show those men you care!
FSO: Yo Air Force, I need you to melt down that enemy tank!
ROMAD: HUA "

I trained ROMADs. I know them. My peers are still around. One of my Chiefs suicided. Nam Vets were my peers. I bleed when they do. Still.

 

[Candleflames]

Having grown up in an area that had several military bases I have had many people in my life serve at various times. My dad was in the Army. Several cousins joined the Army, Navy and the Marines. One of my romantic partners was in the Air Force while we dated.

I'm not close to anyone who has served now but I have gotten to know a few Vets through a group I have been working with that gets food donations from grocery stores and holds a free market for anyone. It's unfortunate but several of the people that come are Vets that that have hit hard times for various reasons some of which are also homeless. While I am sad for the situation they are in I am glad that I have been able to get to know them the little bit that I have and been able work on this community project together.

 

[Barberian]

Yes. I know many former and active duty service members. I thank them all for their service. This and many other countries wouldn't exist without them. Our freedoms wouldn't exist without them. Too bad this day for most people (civilians) has lost it's meaning in becoming just another reason to go shopping or some other meaningless activity that isn't even remotely associated for what this day was meant for.

For Americans: Veterans day
For Commonwealth Nations: Remembrance Day (many other nations are listed towards the middle of the article, too many to type out for my tired fingers, sorry).

 

[The Albatross]

A Pittance of Time by Terry Kelly (Remembrance Day)

 

[Britt.f7]

My father was in the Army, as was his father. My maternal grandfather was a career Navy man. I'm proud of all service people.

 

[Iamhere]

My boyfriend is a Army Special Force Airborne Combat Vet that went to both Iraq and Afghanistan. I take great pride in being his girlfriend. I wish this country would dedicate more then one day to them. They put their lives on the line for us and deserve everything this country has.

 

[Lionheart]

I am not a war veteran, but I am a military veteran via Unites States Air Force and my grandfather served in both W.W. I and W.W. II. I am proud to have served my country and am grateful for others who have done the same.