11 Thursday Nov 2021
Posted in Veteran's Day
Today is Veteran’s Day in the United States. Today, we celebrate the sacrifices and service provided by so many throughout my country’s history. So today, I’ll keep it short.
To all who have served this country in our Armed Forces. To those families who have shared that burden.
Thank you for your service. Your sacrifices and service will never be forgotten. Happy Veteran’s Day!
Until next time…
Dave
10 Sunday Nov 2019
Posted in Veteran's Day
Tags
Air Force, Army, Coastguard, Freedom, Grateful, Marines, Navy, Sacrifice, Thankful, Veteran's Day
I’m posting Monday’s posting early because I’m going to be enjoying my day tomorrow and will be doing another “Do Nothing Day” to celebrate. There are quite a few restaurants serving free meals and other goodies and I always try to take advantage of that. Subsequently, this posting will be my Monday Motivation post instead.
I wanted to express my thanks to all veterans, past and present, for their service. As a veteran, it’s great to see all the messages posted to social media. It makes you feel good about what you did for your country and I wanted to pass those good feelings along.
Our servicemen and women are everywhere providing security and support to the nations they are assigned to. They are enduring separation from their families, fear, stress, and in some situations, performing the impossible. Thank you for all you do. Your sacrifices will not be forgotten.
I’d also like to say Happy Birthday to all the Marines out there. Your 244 years of service has spanned every major war this country has seen. Your service has been exemplary. When the job is impossible, the Marines are called. I salute you.
I would also like to thank the families of our veterans. You share their burden. You worry. You miss our husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, or sister. The one thing that got me through my deployments were the letters you sent. We also enjoyed the care packages sent by random K-12 schools. We also enjoyed the USO shows when they came.
I will never forget my 20 years in the U.S. Army. I know those of you who are still serving will also never forget your experiences while you serve. I hope each of you a safe return.
For those that have lost a loved one, I thank you and your loved one’s for their sacrifice. Without the veterans of our armed services, none of us would be able to enjoy the freedoms, many of us take for granted from time-to-time.
Happy Veteran’s Day!
Until next time…
Dave
11 Sunday Nov 2018
Posted in Veteran's Day
Tags
California Wildfires, Gratitude, Loss, Love, memories, Thousand Oaks, Veteran's Day, War, Worry
As I write today’s bonus posting I was thinking about all the suffering in California. The wildfires are ripping through the countryside, people are having to evacuate their homes, while first-responders are doing their best to contain the fire and save those souls who cannot help themselves. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at this keyboard.
As I write today’s bonus posting I was thinking about the shooting in Thousand Oaks. I wondered about what went through the Marine’s head as he squeezed off round after round into the bodies of the patrons of that establishment who were just there to enjoy some music, finger food, and their friends. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at this keyboard.
As I write today’s bonus posting I try to understand the victims of these tragedies and how their lives have been overturned by events they had no control over. I think about the Mothers, Fathers, sons, and daughters. I think about the Aunts and Uncles. I think about the pet owner who has lost their best friend to the tragedy of a fire. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at this keyboard.
As I write today’s bonus posting I was thinking about all the men and women of our Armed Forces and the sacrifices they make every day. I think about the first responders who are here to keep us safe and protect our loved ones in times of natural disaster. I think about the sacrifices that are made, the losses of life and limb, and what it means to be a volunteer. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at this keyboard.
As I write today’s bonus posting I was thinking about all the wars this nation has fought. I thought about all the young men and women who volunteered to help keep this country safe. I thought about the tears that streak down a soldier’s face when he bids his loved ones goodbye. I thought about the tears held back by the fathers who watched their baby boy or girl left, to stay strong for his wife and the rest of their family. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at this keyboard.
As I write today’s bonus posting I was thinking about all the wives and mothers waiting by the phone to hear from their loved one in harm’s way. I thought about the constant worry that goes through their minds as they scour the Internet, the television, and the radio for any news. I thought about the day a man in uniform arrives at home to deliver the worst news ever. I thought about the caskets arriving at Dover. I thought about the funerals and parades. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at this keyboard.
As I write today’s bonus posting I was thinking about the time I was told by my unit first sergeant that the Red Cross called. I thought about how angry my Mother was that I hadn’t called. I was thinking about my wife calling me in Turkey after having a car accident and not knowing what to do. I was thinking about how cold it was one rainy night in Austria on a field exercise. I was thinking about how cold I was pulling guard duty at Spandau on a Christmas Eve, wondering what the hell I volunteered for. I was thinking about waking up to the smell of hot bread in Berlin. I was thinking about a New Year’s Eve party at the Brandenburg Gate. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at this keyboard.
As I write today’s bonus posting I was thinking about the time I got a letter from a Judge in my hometown and how good it felt to have someone say thanks for my service. I was thinking about getting a care package from an elementary class in South Dakota whom I’d never met. I was thinking about the looks on my soldier’s faces when they got mail from home. I was thinking about how great the food tasted when I hadn’t eaten in four days. I was thinking about how good a hot shower felt. I was thinking about how warm and soft my wife was when I returned home. All, as I sit in my comfortable home office and clack away at my keyboard.
I thank everyone that has served our country. I will never forget you. You are what America is all about.
Until next time…
Dave
Sergeant First Class
United States Army, Retired
10 Friday Nov 2017
Posted in Veteran's Day
Tags
Today is the day we observe Veteran’s Day (a day early because of the calendar). I just wanted to say Happy Veteran’s Day to all of my fellow veterans. Only those who have served or are serving currently, know the sacrifices we have made to protect our country and those peoples across the globe that needed our help.
I also want to wish all of the Gold Star Mothers and Fathers, wives and husbands, whose loved ones have paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy. Your loss and their sacrifices will NEVER be forgotten.
Dave
SFC, Army Retired
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