[Astaldo711]

On this veteran's day I just wanted to take a minute and say a sincere "Thank You" to all of our veterans. Whether you served during war or peace time your service is truly appreciated. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Reserves, National Guard, whether you served for the US or another country your are appreciated!
THANK YOU!

[narfstar]

Your welcome and I extend the same thanks to fellow vets

[Geo (R.I.P.)]

Thank you much, we didn't hear that at all when I came back. Just the opposite I'm sorry to say.

Geo

[boox909]

I'm from a family with service stretching back to the American Civil War -- I'm thankful to vets every single day! 

[Astaldo711]

As we all should be boox! I regret not being able to talk to my dad too much about his experience in the war. He had a stroke when I was young and couldn't speak too well and his memory would fade in and out.
Geo, where did you serve? ..and thank you again!

[narfstar]

I just missed Vietnam going in the Army in 1974. I was glad that we did not go back in 1975 like some proposed. Vietnam is fine now but look at Korea. I was part of the first all volunteer service because all draftees were allowed to get out if they wanted to. I quit school the day before my birthday on Feb 27th and went in the Army in May. Nice hot basic training in Ft Dix New Jersey

[Astaldo711]

My brother joined the Marines around that time. He had basic in Camp Lejuene and spent his time in Hawaii. I live in NJ, but waaay up north. I've been to Ft Dix but it was a long time ago and don't remember it much. Thank you for your service, narf!

[Captain Audio]

Not long ago I found a box full of photos taken by my mom and dad during his time of service in WW2.
There are many photos of Dads shipmates whoopping it up at Pearl Harbor, and a rare photo of his crew loading a TCT onto the deck of his LST. The LST could actually carry as deck cargo a smaller ship that hauled sherman tanks to the beach during landings.
The LST would then would drive itself onto the beach and the its bow doors would open to disgorge hundreds of troops or trucks hauling artillery pieces.
They'd remain stuck on the beach till they lightened the load and were able to back off or were towed back out to sea.

The Ship Dad served on was the Nye County, one of the longest serving of WW2 era vessels with more battle commendations than most capital ships, and it even invaded North Vietnam once completely by accident when its outdated Radar fed it the wrong position for a night cargo drop.
The Vessel was last seen under the name Comandante Araya serving with the Chilean Navy. It may have been broken up for scrap by now, but I found a photo of it in dock long after it was scheduled to be scrapped.
These old LSTs sometimes show up having been sold off and refitted as civilian ferry boats, maybe the Nye County is still out there somewhere.

[Geo (R.I.P.)]

As we all should be boox! I regret not being able to talk to my dad too much about his experience in the war. He had a stroke when I was young and couldn't speak too well and his memory would fade in and out.
Geo, where did you serve? ..and thank you again!

1 year plus in Vietnam in '68. Your Welcome.

Geo

[Menticide]

A lot of my friends know this about me, some of my fondest memories were the ones that involved late night conversations around the kitchen table, my stepfather, and his buddies (all Vietnam veterans) sitting around until the wee-hours of the morning talking about stuff. Most of these nights involved them drinking Scotch and I usually acted as the drink refresher, but I probably learned more lessons at that table than I ever did in school.

I admired these men, not only for their service, but also because of the stories they would tell.

Inevitably, as the night would go on, my stepfather would turn to me, hand me his glass, and say "fill it up to here with ice, and the rest with Scotch." Then, looking down the hallway, and making sure my mom was asleep, he would say "and grab yourself a beer."

Mind you, I was about fifteen, or sixteen years old, but I'll always remember those nights with a smile. Sure, my step-dad was encouraging the delinquency of a minor, but I certainly did learn more about life, and death because of it.

[narfstar]

An 87 year old friend just passed away. He was a Marine on the US Missoiri and witnessed the signing of the peace treaty with Japan first hand. In a Time Magazine photo of the event he is one of the men in the picture  background.

[josemas]

My parents both served in the Navy.  They met aboard ship.  My Mom was a Navy nurse and I ended up being born in a Naval hospital.

Thanks to all the Vets on the messageboard here!

Best

Joe

[CharlieRock]

Thank you.
I was in the U.S.Army from 94-99 and Reserves until '02. Best part about it was everyone else there with me.