krome2ez Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 To Veterans Everywhere.... Posted by Blanka Stratford (cause leader) Tell your friends about this Share this Note When a Veteran leaves the 'job' and retires to a better life, many are jealous, some are pleased, and others, who may have already retired, wonder if he knows what he is leaving behind, because we already know. 1. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times. 2. We know in the Military life there is a fellowship which lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the closet. 3. We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was and in his heart still is. These are the burdens of the job. You will still look at people suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to ignore and always will look at the rest of the Military world with a respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing. Never think for one moment you are escaping from that life. You are only escaping the 'job' and merely being allowed to leave 'active' duty. So what I wish for you is that whenever you ease into retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that you are still a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known. NOW... Civilian Friends vs. Veteran Friends Comparisons: CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you're too busy to talk to them for a week. VETERAN FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after years, and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having the last time you met. ---------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry. VETERAN FRIENDS: Have cried with you. --------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours. VETERAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back. -------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you. VETERAN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you. --------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing. VETERAN FRIENDS: Will stand by you no matter what the crowd does. --------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while. VETERAN FRIENDS: Are for life. --------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences... VETERAN FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of experiences no citizen could ever dream of... --------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think you've had enough. VETERAN FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say, 'You better drink the rest of that before you spill it!' Then carry you home safely and put you to bed... ----------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will ignore this. VETERAN FRIENDS: Will forward this. ---------------------------------------------------- A veteran - whether active duty, retired, served one hitch, or reserve is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The Government of the United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life'. From one Veteran to another, it's an honor to be in your company. Thank you for your service to our country and defending the freedoms we enjoy. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 I raise my glass to you my Veteran comrade . SALUTE. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don45 Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 This is so very true! My salute to all current military and Veterans!!!!!!! Don45 - US Army '67 -'70 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodandStaff Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 To all veterans... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SgtFuryUSCZ Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 ***/// ***/// ***/// Thank you for thinking of us.... and what's more -- telling us so. Today we'll be over at the VA Hospital cheering up friends there.... and by 'Friends'... we mean every single Troop there. We'll be feeling extra special ourselves today for all your kind words AND we'll share this post with all of them today, as well.. Have A Day Filled With Loving Thoughts of Those We Know & Love. Happy St. Valentine's Day 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duty.rec Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 I respect everything you have stated and agree. But however as a veteran of the British Army of 29 years’ service I think that your comments should include the UK forces as well. I served in Desert Storm (Gulf war one) with your Marines on forward recon going through on the Big Red One. On the second Gulf war I spent a total of 26 months in Iraq and then a 16 month straight stretch in Afghanistan. I would think all veterans of the collation forces deserve the same respect. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peace Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 My closest friends are those I met in the military, I love them. My husband And I met at the Dallas MEPS in 2003! So Im also married to one. As much as the field I as in pissed me off, I have to admit I love my time in the AF because of the mutual bonds with people. It don't matter if your at chow, it was always easy to become instant friends with people cuz you all disliked the same **** mostly. Haha! It's the only place I ever heard of a " mandatory 5k fun run" on a fn Saturday! Here is a nice tale that happened to me...straight out of basic training, I was stationed at Keesler AFB, Biloxi MS. We were having a parade for our commander who was leaving anyways for my civilian friends what this means is you get to dress up in your blues on a Saturday ( i was severely dehydrated and hungover, cuz the previous night was Friday and I'd been drinking, a lot) ( no I was not allowed to drink but I did anyway) they call that derelection of duty btw! So I had to be in formation at 0630 am in that hot, humid MS heat. We march to the parade grounds where they had at least 200 of us standing at ease in formation waiting for the fn hooplah to begin, meanwhile I'm sweating profusely and dying out there, my MTL is walking through making sure we are squared away and no irish pendants are exposed and no scuffs on our low quarters, stops at me and says "well what the hell happened to you?" of course I'm not going to admit that I drank!! he continues by saying "monville you better not fall out." 30 minutes before parade they have us at attention, now I'm really dying I thought for sure I needed a medic, I felt like throwing up, I was praying to god to stop the torture all I wanted to do was lay my head down. Well I got a chance to do just that!!! Finally the parade begins about 10 minutes in I see tunnel vision and know I'm about to fall out, but can't communicate it to the guys standing around me, but they noticed cuz right before passing out I remember being whispered to in a very loud commanding tone from my MTL who evidently had kept his eye on me, "DAmn it Monville" bam fall forward I just remember being carried to the back where they gave me water were fanning me and then said to fall back into ranks....hahahaha seriously! Keesler AFB had a record fallout that day of 74 people! No, I'm not proud of that, but it is what it is. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shabibilicious Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 I have way more brothers than the 2 my mother brought into this world. HooRah!! GO RV, then BV 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farwould Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 Salute Krome and company! I see we stomped the same ground duty.rec You british did a fine job! I'll hoist one for you! Happy Valentines Day! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UNEEK Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 To Veterans Everywhere.... Posted by Blanka Stratford (cause leader) Tell your friends about this Share this Note When a Veteran leaves the 'job' and retires to a better life, many are jealous, some are pleased, and others, who may have already retired, wonder if he knows what he is leaving behind, because we already know. 1. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times. 2. We know in the Military life there is a fellowship which lasts long after the uniforms are hung up in the back of the closet. 3. We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was and in his heart still is. These are the burdens of the job. You will still look at people suspiciously, still see what others do not see or choose to ignore and always will look at the rest of the Military world with a respect for what they do; only grown in a lifetime of knowing. Never think for one moment you are escaping from that life. You are only escaping the 'job' and merely being allowed to leave 'active' duty. So what I wish for you is that whenever you ease into retirement, in your heart you never forget for one moment that you are still a member of the greatest fraternity the world has ever known. NOW... Civilian Friends vs. Veteran Friends Comparisons: CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Get upset if you're too busy to talk to them for a week. VETERAN FRIENDS: Are glad to see you after years, and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having the last time you met. ---------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry. VETERAN FRIENDS: Have cried with you. --------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours. VETERAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back. -------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Know a few things about you. VETERAN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you. --------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing. VETERAN FRIENDS: Will stand by you no matter what the crowd does. --------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Are for a while. VETERAN FRIENDS: Are for life. --------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Have shared a few experiences... VETERAN FRIENDS: Have shared a lifetime of experiences no citizen could ever dream of... --------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will take your drink away when they think you've had enough. VETERAN FRIENDS: Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say, 'You better drink the rest of that before you spill it!' Then carry you home safely and put you to bed... ----------------------------------------------------- CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Will ignore this. VETERAN FRIENDS: Will forward this. ---------------------------------------------------- A veteran - whether active duty, retired, served one hitch, or reserve is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The Government of the United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life'. From one Veteran to another, it's an honor to be in your company. Thank you for your service to our country and defending the freedoms we enjoy. THIS IS WONDERFUL - Thank you for sharing !!!! Happy Valentine's Day All Veterans 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detroitjazzman Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 Here I sit on valentines day with tears in my eyes. I am forever admonished that "All gave some ...... And some gave all". Thanks for this post. To the families of those who didn't make it back to the "world". May they RIP 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krome2ez Posted February 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 (edited) I respect everything you have stated and agree. But however as a veteran of the British Army of 29 years’ service I think that your comments should include the UK forces as well. I served in Desert Storm (Gulf war one) with your Marines on forward recon going through on the Big Red One. On the second Gulf war I spent a total of 26 months in Iraq and then a 16 month straight stretch in Afghanistan. I would think all veterans of the collation forces deserve the same respect. It says "Veterans Everywhere." :twothumbs:/> Thank you for your service, sir. :salute:/> Edited February 14, 2013 by krome2ez 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrgrizz44 Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 I respect everything you have stated and agree. But however as a veteran of the British Army of 29 years’ service I think that your comments should include the UK forces as well. I served in Desert Storm (Gulf war one) with your Marines on forward recon going through on the Big Red One. On the second Gulf war I spent a total of 26 months in Iraq and then a 16 month straight stretch in Afghanistan. I would think all veterans of the collation forces deserve the same respect. Well after 9 years in the infantry I can tell you that I served with several other countries and you are correct that you deserve and have earned my respect. Thanks duty.rec, and thank you to all my brothers and sisters in arms. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duty.rec Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 It says "Veterans Everywhere." :twothumbs:/>/> Thank you for your service, sir. :salute:/>/> Thank you +1 Go RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV Well after 9 years in the infantry I can tell you that I served with several other countries and you are correct that you deserve and have earned my respect. Thanks duty.rec, and thank you to all my brothers and sisters in arms. Thank you +1 Go RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gymrat76541 Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 Ditto my friend. I would normally help someone out if they needed it, but I will always go the extra mile for a brother-in-arms. Thanks for the post! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seawolf Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 Thanks Krome2ez. After 23yrs of service, you stated very easy to understand the difference between friends and comrads in arms. To echo your comments "Thank you to all active duty, retired and all vets for your selfless service" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duty.rec Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 Let’s hope we can all meet up and enjoy a few beers and a good chat about our experiences. Go RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blyane Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 After 20 years of service to the greatest country on this planet - I would not change one experience in that time frame. Many friends come and go in life - but the friends - comrades in arms, who I have ran across over the many years - will always have that bond that won't be broken. The experience of being a Veteran is new for me - but it's the next chapter in my life. I love looking back over it all - and I thank God that he gave me the wisdom, the strength and courage to face those many trials. So if your not a Veteran - then I encourage you to visit with one. Talk to them about their experiences. I am sure that they will enjoy sharing with you their experiences....... Oh - I am always up for hanging with Veterans and current military members and downing a few suds....Name the place - date and time!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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