Happy Veteran's Day

[chris-uk]

My dad was 22 years in the Royal Navy, retired a few years after the Falklands War (although he wasn't serving on a warship during that war he did two tours there). Both my grandparents served in WW2, my great-grandfather was a soldier in the Boer War. More recently, my little brother's best friend narrowly survived a suicide bomb while he was peacekeeping in Bosnia.
I have a lot of time and respect for those who serve their country.

[PINJOHN]

just like to add my admiration and gratitude to all those brave men and women who have given, and continue to give, their lives for our well being, as well as those who have put their lives at risk to stand between us and those that would harm us

[RedSidedSPR]

My grandad was in the Air Force.

[brain]

Thank you. But please do not forget thoese who gave the ful measure.

Would we do it again? I for one surely would.

BT1 USN Jul 72' - Oct 94'

[Stefan-A]

Practically every male born before 1922 in this country is a vet.


One of these guys is my grandfather (layer on the left):






And here's my other:



Most would rather have been at home, living their peaceful lives, instead of having to be brave, serve their country, protect our well-being and freedoms, lose bodyparts, friends and relatives and kill other young men that, in a different reality, they could have called "friend". Personally, I curse those who put them in that position.

[guidofatherof5]

Awesome words and photos.

[ssssnakeluvr]

guess I could add my Dad, Medical supply for 5 years, my Mom, computer operator in D.C. for 2 years, my brother, U.S. Navy for 2 years, my sister, MP for a year, and my brother-in-law, retired combat engineer. =)

[katach]

This is my great-uncle Red. He was the closest thing I had to a grandfather. He was an amazing man. I still miss him and my great aunt Evelyn.

William Henry Amos , age 87. Born Aug. 12, 1912 in Velva, N.D., to Roy and Charlotte Amos. Died Feb. 1, 2000 at Port Orchard Care Center from natural causes.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943 and retired in 1961 as a CW04. He helped to build the original buildings at the base that is now Camp Pendleton, Calif. He saw action at Pearl Harbor and all the major battles of World War II and Korea. During his distinguished career in the U.S.M.C. he was awarded three Purple Hearts, a Presidential Unit Citation, the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the the United Nations Service Medal.

[PINJOHN]

I wrote this for my kids about their grandfather who served in the Royal navy during the second world war
it is all completely factual even down to the inebriation.
didn't foresee myself posting this on thamnophis.com but it seems appropriate on this thread

HERO
On that fateful Easter Sunday morn
came screams from up on high
when Japanese's in mass attack
rained death down from the sky
that mighty ship absorbed the blows
which sounded her death knell
still she fought back, with all she had
firing ack ack guns and shell
with firm resolve those men held out
with true stiff upper lip
and they held their posts till they heard the words
ALL HANDS ABANDON SHIP
as the men took to the water
from stern and decks and prow
they consigned their lives to the lord above
only he could help them now
one slightly built young seaman
his own safety quickly spurned
as went to help a crew mate
with a body badly burned
with one arm to support them both
he swam with all he had
and in spite of his heroic deed
he was really, just a lad

Its this young mans nineteenth birthday
but for him no special treat
for he spent that day,with the ocean floor
a mile beneath his feet
as his ship went down, so very fast
beneath the briny foam
taking hundreds, of those brave jack tar's
who would not, again see home
he determined he would not give up
and somehow, he'd get back
while all around his shipmates died
from wounds and shark attack

on rafts and spar's they clung all day
to live, their only goal
while deadly fish came from beneath
to exact a lethal toll
he remembered clear,his captain's voice
as he called out to his crew
It inspired them all,with confidence
as he vouched,he'd pull them through
so many thoughts that young man had
as he waited for the dawn
of a young girl he had yet to meet
and a family still unborn

for thirty hours the men endured
they bore this hell on earth
in blazing heat with oil soaked skin
they sang for all their worth
when rescue ships were sighted
their spirits lifted high
the young lad swore a solemn oath
as he watched the ships come by
on every future April 5th
to this pledge, he would aspire
he'd raise a glass, or maybe two
for the crew, of the DORSETSHIRE

and that young lad,he kept his word
and he kept it, very well
each April 5th, until his death
HE CAME HOME DRUNK AS HELL.
R.I.P ABLE SEAMAN PERCY THOMPSON

[brain]

He was an amazing man. I still miss him and my great aunt Evelyn.

William Henry Amos , age 87. Born Aug. 12, 1912 in Velva, N.D., to Roy and Charlotte Amos. Died Feb. 1, 2000 at Port Orchard Care Center from natural causes.

I would have been thrilled to meet such as him. Was he a Mason by chance?