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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | 50 years ago today, I got a free train ticket from my little town in Conneaut to the big city, Cleveland, and a free night in a cheap hotel. All I had to do was swear in at the Cleveland Army Center on the 3d. I left behind my Silvertone lap steel and Amp, my '41 oil burning Hudson sedan with rusted out front fenders, and my '37 Ford fastback up on blocks with a blown engine and a bunch of cows that I had to milk 7 days a week, 365 days a year. When I reached Cleveland, a bunch of Cleveland kids who were doing their patriotic duty (they were still shooting in Korea) and joining the Army, took us farm boys on a tour of Cleveland night life that almost convinced me to stay home and move to Cleveland. We rejoined the next day, July 3, and were sworn in for 3 years, and shipped by train to Ft. Knox for processing where we never got to see the gold.
Bailey | |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 143
Location: High, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado | You call that FREE?
Anyway, Thanks! for serving!
Dale | |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3666
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | I got a bus ticket from San Diego to LA in 1974, and did 3years, 11 months in Uncle Sam's Flying Club. Second-generation Californian, sent to Travis AFB ('tween Frisco & Sacratomato). So much for "seeing the world". Does that count? | |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 143
Location: High, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado | I would sure think so... I'm appreciative of all our fine military personnel, past and present...
My Son is in Iraq as we speak. I'm sure there are other members that have both served their country, and have kin serving now. My hat is off to all of you!
Again, Thank You!
Dale | |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3666
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Dale, God bless, and protect, your son. Thank you, Sir; all the veterans, and active duty (yes, Chuck, bobbing about on the briny seas) appreciate your approbations. | |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Seesquare
It all counts, we are free because guys like you gave up some of their life, and they are doing it again today, every generation does their part and then the next takes over, that's what keeps us free, each generation doing their part. We are a great nation protected by our younger generations throughout the history of our country, of course you were a major contributor. A generation is made up of individuals facing their challange, and for over 200 years none have failed in their resolve, and none will, WE ARE AMERICANS and we never accept losing. Happy fourth, you bought it with your time.
Bailey | |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 143
Location: High, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado | Right on Bailey! And Thank You seesquare! | |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3666
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Actually, what REALLY makes me appreciative, and sad, is that I had the job of evaluating and referring returning personnel from Southeast Asia, during my tour of duty. Now, those were the real heroes, and earned my gratitude & respect. A lot of lost souls, though. Even now, as a community mental health care provider, I see many of the delayed stress veterans. Predictably, I remain a very active, and vocal, advocate for veterans' services. I have a well-earned reputation for not taking much s**t off the VA bureaucracy!! HAPPY FOURTH, MY FRIENDS!!!!!!! | |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Keep up the good work, Seesquare, we can't forget those that gave. The obits this year are full of WWII heroes, and some Korean fighters that have lived their allotted span and are gone never to be heard from again. These obits have almost universal statements of how proud they were to have served their country even though unstated is the hell they went through. I was spared that suffering by Ike's signing an armistice on the 29th of the July I joined, most of the soldiers that trained me wore that infantry rifleman's blue badge, and some were all that were left of outfits that were decimated in weird places on that penninsula, they kicked our ass in the hope we wouldn't suffer a similar fate. Fortunately for me, I never had to find out if it would work, that's the result of the great work they had already done. As I have said we must give extreme credit to the generations that go before. Happy fourth to all you warriors, here or gone.
Bailey | |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Hats off to you veterans for your service to this country. Only you who have had to put your lives on the line, and those who have endured the loss of loved ones in service, can really speak to the question of what is the true cost of freedom.
Thank you, and God Bless!
Norse(better known as Scott)man1 | |
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Joined:
July 2002
Posts: 327
Location: Houston, TX | Bailey,
I was born in 1970. My generation is one of the few that has not been required to serve. I attribute that luxury to you and thousands like you that have answered the call every time since some tea was cold-brewed in a harbor in New England.
Thanks from the Kent family. | |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Scott
You're welcome, and your generation is just as heroic as any other, there is not a time in our history that we have failed, each and every generation has stood tall and said to the world, "you can fuck with any thing, but this nation is off limits, unless you like having your ass kicked and your cheap thugs and bullies taught what it is to face a man who is honest and protective of the weakest that the dictator exploits, Saddam built palaces on the money intended to help his countries children, and his sons, the whoremongers, exploited women for their pleasure. I equate it to the evil Rabbans in Dune, a not for prime time reference, but one of my favorites.
Bailey (too addicted to what is right) | |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 143
Location: High, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado | To quote my nephew who was one of the ones that captured Sadams palace and found some very interesting things:
"There are UNICEF boxes in there with kids' school supplies meant for the children of Iraq, yet these jerks took it,"
My nephew is home now, thank God, but I'm sure some of the things he found will haunt him forever..
Dale | |
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A Free Train Ticket