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Happy Veteran's Day


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Finally a thread I can get into...

Thanks, guys!

My dad passed away this year, and it still amazes me, going through his old WWII stuff, that he was there and that those events were so close to us in time.

My uncle (fighter pilot, 3 tours in Nam) died a few years ago. Talk about vets that never got their "thank you". Thanks, Dave.

My own conflicts were limited to the MPs and Polizei... the more you play with the big bullet-launchers, the less intriguing actually participating in a shooting war seems to get. All the more reason to respect those who did.

Special thanks to those in forgotten interventions in faraway places who are doing their jobs without glory, notice, or a clear understanding of why they're there.

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I just located my wife's grandfather's memoirs from his tour in Europe. He's 82 now, and it amazes me to think of what he was a part of. He was Wire Chief for the 10th Armored Div. Artillery. Basically he was in charge of running wire from the arty battalions to the front line CPs so that those vicious American arty strikes could get called it. The memoirs are fantastic. I only wish they were longer. It both chilled and thrilled me to read them. I can't wait to ask him so more detailed questions. I also hope my grandfather will write something similar about his tours in the Phillippines and Korea.

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"Nuts!"

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Let me echo Croda's fine sentiments.

Those of you who have access to the Wall Street Journal print edition should read the excellent article about one of the flag raisers on Iwo Jima. It's on the editorial page, but not, unfortunately, on-line.

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Ethan

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"We forbid any course that says we restrict free speech." -- Dr. Kathleen Dixon, Director of Women's Studies, Bowling Green State University

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...and a happy Rememberance Day wish to all the vets, from Canada.

Just out of curiosity - up here people wear a red poppy flower (mostly plastic these days) on their lapels to mark the day. I've always wondered if that was purely a Canadian tradition or if it is done elsewhere as well?

p.

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I have mentioned this game to my father. (He uses a computer for tracking his stocks.) The only thing he said was, " Good, maybe we will get another generation to remember."

So on behalf of my father (6th USAAF) and his two brothers, (Seabees & army artillery)

Thank you. Hopefully we don't make anymore veterans.

[This message has been edited by Bombardier (edited 11-10-2000).]

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<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Just out of curiosity - up here people wear a red poppy flower (mostly plastic these days) on their lapels to mark the day. I've always wondered if that was purely a Canadian tradition or if it is done elsewhere as well? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

We also wear poppies on Rememberance Day in Britain - only difference being ours are made of red card.

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Happy Vets day to all of you out there - I still get wide-eyed and awestruck at the sacrifice and courage of those who have been there...my hat is off to those especially to those Americans who have given so much to allow us the freedoms we have today.

My contribution pales in comparison.

(USAR '86-'94, Desert Shield/Storm/Provide Comfort)

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A day to remember here in Canada too. I wear my poppy proudly.

The History Channel is showing some interesting Documentaries on the Canadians in action during WWII and also the Canadians that have received the Victoria Cross over the years starting with the Boer War.

One known recepient lives in my home town, "Smokey" Smith. His story can be found under the Canadian Operation in Italy story on my Panther page: http://members.tripod.com/~dietmagic/panther2.html

I recently talked to a German Fighter Ace so it is important to remember those who fought for the Axis as well. This man is famous for escorting a crippled B17 out of enemy territory. His story: http://www.afa.org/magazine/valor/0197valor.html

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<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Peterk:

[bJust out of curiosity - up here people wear a red poppy flower (mostly plastic these days) on their lapels to mark the day. I've always wondered if that was purely a Canadian tradition or if it is done elsewhere as well? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Australia does, and New Zealand as well!

It may be a tradition that's shared by the Commonwealth Countries?

Regardless, to all those Vets that fought for their respective countries, this day is to remember your sacrifices.

Mace

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I don't mean to detract from any of these honourable sentiments, but I do wonder about the appropriateness of everyone wishing each other a "Happy Veterans' Day". In Britain (and Canada too, apparently), we have Remembrance Day, the emphasis of which I think makes more sense. As much as we should be celebrating our war veterans, it is surely more important to remember the millions who have been killed in the past century's conflicts.

No disrespect intended – I now return you to your previously scheduled commemorations.

David

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This is not to rain on anybodies parade but today is NOT veterans day! Today is a blot on the veterans as it is the day that those who sit on their butt in the most unproductive sector of our economy, the government at all levels, get an extra day off with pay for doing nothing. Tommorrow is Veterans day, and because it falls on a Saturday, some fat cat legislators thought that it was unfair that they didnt get the day off with pay and legislated this waste of taxpayers money. How many of you in the private sector got it off with pay? Being an honorably discharged Vet from the Viet Nam era (PACAF, Khorat Thailand, Udorn Thailand 1973-75), I will celebrate and remember those who gave their lives for the freedom to live as we do in this great country, tommorrow, when it is supposed to be honored, not today, a day that symbolizes all that is a travesty of government waste and BS. Sincerely, Don Christensen aka -tink-

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"Reality is created by the participation of the participants."- John Wheeler

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<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by -tink-:

This is not to rain on anybodies parade but today is NOT veterans day! Today is a blot on the veterans as it is the day that those who sit on their butt in the most unproductive sector of our economy, the government at all levels, get an extra day off with pay for doing nothing. Tommorrow is Veterans day, and because it falls on a Saturday, some fat cat legislators thought that it was unfair that they didnt get the day off with pay and legislated this waste of taxpayers money. How many of you in the private sector got it off with pay? Being an honorably discharged Vet from the Viet Nam era (PACAF, Khorat Thailand, Udorn Thailand 1973-75), I will celebrate and remember those who gave their lives for the freedom to live as we do in this great country, tommorrow, when it is supposed to be honored, not today, a day that symbolizes all that is a travesty of government waste and BS. Sincerely, Don Christensen aka -tink-

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Or perhaps someone just decided that it would be nice to give people a day off of work to use in remembrance of those veterans. But hey, thanks for being cynical and ruining one of the only non-contenious threads on this board right now.

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"Nuts!"

[This message has been edited by Croda (edited 11-10-2000).]

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