04/18/24
November 11, 2005
Happy Veterans' Day: To all vets, whether you're as famous as Tillman or an everyday grunt, Good Luck and Godspeed. Proud Navy vet here (1986 - 1992), and prouder still of my brothers and sisters in uniform, past , present and future. Warning: if you're looking for a happy-go-lucky article, this one might not be for you.
posted by The_Black_Hand to culture at 06:44 PM - 26 comments
I'm a vet, still serving in Iraq, thanks black hand,and thanks sports filter people for keeping me up to date on the latest in the sports world. we don't have t.v. here, and our internet sucks. sometimes its a few days before we can find out the scores of our teams. when i can get on line sports filter is one of my first stops.at times i laugh, others just shake my head. it is always entertaining though. you guys keep up the good work. god willing i'll be home in about a month.
posted by yankee0758 at 10:17 PM on November 11, 2005
As much as it pains me to say it to a Yankee fan, God speed.
posted by yerfatma at 10:30 PM on November 11, 2005
You take care of yourself, yankee. We all breathe a little easier every time one of you comes home safe.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:37 PM on November 11, 2005
Happy Veterans Day, yankee. We appreciate what you're doing there. Come home safe. Happy Veterans Day to all vets out there...you too, TBH.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 10:40 PM on November 11, 2005
Yankee, you are the man thanks to you and all of our military brothers and sisters.
posted by palange51 at 11:27 PM on November 11, 2005
Thank you, vets. May God bless.
posted by willthrill72 at 11:30 PM on November 11, 2005
yankee, as I said before, God Speed. Be where the bullets ain't, and come home safe. And this, from a lifelong Red Sox fan...jeez, I'm getting soft.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 11:53 PM on November 11, 2005
I'm glad some have posted positive comments about vets serving and who have served. As a vet I'd like to take a moment to thank all of the vets who's jobs never get them the supposed glory or into the movies. The ones that never see combat or hear the jobs they do talked about on the nightly news. The ones who serve in the cold outposts and in the small thankless jobs that make it all work. There is a saying in the Air Force that it takes 100 Airmen to get 1 pilot off the ground. They deserve as big of a parade as anyone.
posted by commander cody at 01:47 AM on November 12, 2005
You know, politically, I'm so far left I make Ralph Nader look like Yosemite Sam, but that doesn't mean I don't wish you guys well over there. Do what you gotta do, get the people of Iraq on their feet, and get back here safe and in one piece, alright? You deserve all the class and grace you have coming. Thanks for doing what you do. Anyone who actually serves overseas has my unending and eternal respect.
posted by chicobangs at 03:31 AM on November 12, 2005
Also, yankees suck.
posted by chicobangs at 03:32 AM on November 12, 2005
chicobangs....that is the first time i have ever heard a far left winger give the vets props...ooorah! My vet brothers, give'em hell and come home safe! yankee....god speed to you son.
posted by uzdoug at 05:05 AM on November 12, 2005
chicobangs....that is the first time i have ever heard a far left winger give the vets props Actually, uzdoug, it isn't. It's just the first time you've known it. Chico was the only one who mentioned his spot on the political spectrum; from what I know of the others who've expressed good wishes in this thread, I'd say there's representation from all over. It's a worthwhile lesson: in this and in many things, we have more in common than not.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 06:55 AM on November 12, 2005
Both of my sons, and all 4 of my brothers are veterans. Yes, I'm bragging about it!! Thanks and God Bless to you, Yankee, and all our veterans, today, and every day. Come home safe and soon.
posted by gac at 07:16 AM on November 12, 2005
There is a saying in the Air Force that it takes 100 Airmen to get 1 pilot off the ground. And another 100 to get that pilot back to ground safely. I was an A.F. fireman from '77-'80, 1 year spent on the southwest coast of S. Korea. We always held our breath when the F-4s were doing their sorties...the S. Korean F-86's too, and were relieved when they landed safely. It was an amazing job and one for which I am forever grateful. from what I know of the others who've expressed good wishes in this thread, I'd say there's (political) representation from all over. Registered independent here. I breathe a huge sigh of relief (and get this silly little grin) anytime I read a thread like this where people put the politics aside and let the women and men serving for all of us know how much they mean. We have learned so, so much from 'Nam. gac, please tell them all "thank you" from a stranger.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 10:16 AM on November 12, 2005
Like TBH, I am a Navy vet (62 - 66). The military is a dangerous occupation whether we're at war or not. May God bless all who volunteer to serve their country. A friend, and fellow Quartermaster, was abord the Thresher (SSN593) when she submerged for a 20 minute test dive in 1963. The clock is still ticking. I still think about him often, especially around Veterans Day or when watching any movie with subs.
posted by drevl at 11:03 AM on November 12, 2005
From an old, retired, sarge, who served in Europe, Southwest Asia, and Central America...and to all of my troops who are still serving proudly...and to those who have experienced this way of life...it is time to reflect and appreciate all we have as Americans! "Happy Veteren's Day...come home soon and may God bless each of you!!!"
posted by Big_Dog16 at 11:28 AM on November 12, 2005
Great thread.
posted by Samsonov14 at 02:27 PM on November 12, 2005
Just a shoutout to all of our armed service forces throughout the world. Thank you for doing a job which ensures our freedom as well as the freedom of our children. War is never popular and it is very easy for us to pick, point, and criticize those who make the decisions and those who are asked to carry out those orders. But without yankee, and all the other veterans from the world war I to the current conflict(s), would we be able to enjoy the freedoms that we have now? All of the veterans and current soldiers have my undying respect for doing a job that I know damn well i could not do. Courage, Honor, Liberty. God Bless You All! Come home safe!
posted by blackdog1968 at 08:42 PM on November 12, 2005
As a former jarhead (88-94) who served in the sandbox round one, I want to wish a happy and safe Veterans Day to all those who ever got up at zero dark thirty to put on the uniform that protects not only our great nation, but many others throughout the world as well. I just read about another local boy KIA and I feel it hammer my heart each and every time I read such a story. But I also feel unending pride knowing that there are still young men and women ready and willing to stand tall and protect those who cannot protect themselves. To all serving overseas, do what you must, but come home to a grateful nation. Someday you too will feel as proud of others as I am of all of you right now. God Bless.
posted by rawpwr at 10:35 PM on November 12, 2005
I was extremely drunk when I typed that above, but I mean every word. I have a huge problem with the people who've never served and have no idea what a war zone is giving orders the way they have been, but anyone -- anyone -- who puts their money where their mouth is and puts their own ass on the line is someone with whom I have no meaningful quarrel whatsoever. Seriously. Do your thing. Hand off the country to the locals as cleanly and efficiently as you can, and get back here in one piece.
posted by chicobangs at 03:36 AM on November 13, 2005
It's a worthwhile lesson: in this and in many things, we have more in common than not. lil brown bat.....point takin, God Bless
posted by uzdoug at 03:45 AM on November 13, 2005
I have a huge problem with the people who've never served and have no idea what a war zone is giving orders the way they have been Just curious. Do you mean people like Abe Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson and FDR? Personally, I've got no gripe with any of those non-vets. Their wars seemed to be in our nation's interest. As for our more recent war presidents, veterans JFK, LBJ and the Bushies, I'm not so sure. Seriously. Do your thing. Hand off the country to the locals as cleanly and efficiently as you can, and get back here in one piece. I could not agree more. We should shake the hands of the newly elected Iraqi officials, wish them well, and dee dee out of there. Is tomorrow soon enough?
posted by drevl at 09:15 AM on November 13, 2005
Not to get into it any further than we have, but the important phrase there is "the way they have been." And yesterday isn't soon enough.
posted by chicobangs at 11:08 AM on November 13, 2005
Gotcha, chico. I had interperted the important phrase as people who've never served.
posted by drevl at 02:19 PM on November 13, 2005
Hats off to Yankee and all the others over in harm's way! As a Vet from a family full of them, I understand and appreciate all that you do and all the you have given up to do it. May God Bless You!
posted by daddisamm at 10:53 AM on November 14, 2005
Happy Veterans' Day to all Veterans for they do something I would never want to do. ALL Veterans truly need to be honored for their service.