Remembrance Day & Veterans Day

[anni]

Paloma,
Yes- anyone who ever has put on a uniform for us, non-combatant or otherwise, is part of that barrier which keeps us safe. I grew up with many of the older brothers of friends and classmates going to Vietnam, my 2 uncles both did 2 tours there. I was young enough to be horrified when they came home and had eggs thrown at them as they got off the plane alive. One was a rather high ranking officer and he was not exempt from these wildly misguided protests against the war where our military people were blamed for political decisions beyond their control. It was shameful and for some reason I knew it even as a child. Knowing what I now know about PTSD I can't imagine these hateful attitudes did not add extremely to all the vets struggles with their traumas.

It is quite wonderful to at least see that attitudes have changed since then and our armed forces are viewed with respect and gratitude, regardless of ideology.

Take care to all, and I'd like to echo those who responded with the words 'stay safe',

Anni

 

[cynelena]

Thank you for my freedoms that you have so bravely fought for even though you don't know me. Thank you for giving so much of yourselves for a stranger. My life would not be the same without all of you. For all past, present, & future servicemen & servicewomen....I thank you.

 

[bonnecanyon]

Need to add a word to this

The more I thought about it yesterday - Veteran's Day - and after watching the parade downtown - there is a word that I would like to add to this thread

Hero - that' what all of you are to me - heroes.:clap:

 

[suzie q]

I just pray that after all the parades and celebrations and nice words that today, the day after Veteran's Day, things don't just go back to having to struggle for help to survive as a "civilian". There are many still on the streets homeless and sick that served our country. They live day to day with their horrors, some staying in the depths of hell with alcoholism, hunger, mental illness, lack of employment, no family support, etc...

Let us that have served and survived help those who are still suffering with the VA and all the red tape. Let us reach out with understanding the whole year, not just on 11/11. Help them to feel like their service did stand for something other than to be discarded for their problems caused by serving. Volunteer at soup kitchens, help in missionaries, go to VA offices and keep vets company while the long wait for their appointment, give to food banks, help or attend addiction type meetings where a lot of them go for help, go visit hospitals with retired vets who might like someone to talk to, help organizations which support the families of those deployed so children can grow up remembering how good it was to have "mommy or daddy" home again, not some stranger.

Sorry...got on my soapbox. For me, serving was an honor and privilege that I earned. That service doesn't just fade away because I'm civilian again. All should take pride in their service and I send a deep thanks to those who took my place. :thumbs-up