Happy Veteran's Day

[Shane Holland]

To all those who served, or had family members who served, just wanted to say thanks.

My dad served in the Air Force, plus today's his birthday. So, this is always a special day for me.

Shane

 

[Sparktrician]

To my friends who are Veterans:
    I thank you for your service.  Without your sacrifices, our nation wouldn't be as we know it today.  Thank you for your courage, your perseverance in the face of staggering odds, your willingness to do what had to be done for our freedom.  Thank you.

    Some look at the Veterans Day holiday as a reason to party and spend large sums of money.  I prefer to take the day on solemnly and thoughtfully, remembering those that are with us only in spirit; whose bodies, and sometimes whose minds, could not sustain them to be here with us today.  I prefer to pay respects and treasure the memories of them when they were whole and young, and full of life and the promise of reaching old age.

    And I am grateful that those who receive this message are here in the flesh, and that I have the honor of knowing you.  Thank you.

 

[Stone Message]

My mother's father died in October 1917 not far from Ypres and is buried nearby in a Commonwealth War Grave. I have visited his grave a couple of times but will make a special effort on the 100th anniversary of his death. My mother was 7 years old when he died and not only did it have a profound effect on her but also on me in later life. I went to his grave shortly after Mum died and sat there in the rain for over an hour.

I have lost a number of close friends in military conflict and appreciate the profound effect that it always has on their families. I am also aware of the huge sacrifice of our wounded veterans and the extra burden on their loved ones.

All of these people have been doing their bit for their country. They were not politicians or fanatics just normal people doing what they were told to do at the time.

I respect everyone who finds war and military conflict repugnant but ask them to always remember that the soldiers, sailors and airmen were only there because they felt it was their duty.

For that reason I expect every politician to show complete respect for the fallen and the returning wounded.

Peter

 

[Tinker]

My two very best buddies from Korea have both passed on.  War is a hard time, but I have so many great stories (great to me anyhow) of the good times we had together.  When a group of guys are thrown in together as a fighting unit (Combat Engineers and I was a Medic) there are experiences one never forgets, both great and not so good.
Tinker