Thanks to our Veterans..

Mike B · November 2006

I shout out a big thanks and well done to all the veterans, and active duty people where ever they are.

Me USN 1974- 1978
USS John F Kennedy CV-67

partch · November 2006

I was in the Air Force during Desert Storm Desert Shield. I did not have to go over to Saudi. But I did serve & was willing to go if called upon.

God Bless our Service Men & Women!!
Partch

shredd · November 2006

I was born in a year where I was too young for some campaigns, too old for others. I've never served active military.
But here's MY $0.02: there are only two groups of people that I respect automatically: firefighters and combat veterans. Those are two groups of people who act selflessly on a daily basis, sacrifice constantly for the benefit of others, and do work that requires balls of steel. Thank you one n all.

WOGS858 · November 2006

I echo the thanks to our military and thier families

Your sacrifice is apprieciated

GOD bless you

guitar3456 · November 2006

many many thanks to our Veterans for their service to our country!

zap · November 2006

We are very grateful to all the veterans, known and unknown, who have withstood tyrants in goat nations so sheep nations can enjoy such freedoms as this forum.

insideout · November 2006

Excellent topic Mike B!! I think it's great to express our appreciation and respect on forums like this. However, we just watched our politicians spend HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of dollars on stupid, insulting, wastefull campaign adds. Imagine what kind of retirement package and health benefits could be given with that money, to the people who actually EARNED it - our service men and women. Frankly, it makes me sick when they say we don't have the money to pay our soldiers what they deserve - BULL! We have the money... our politicians just choose to waste it on frivolous things like excessive luxury travel, and expensive TV commercials telling us what a jerk their opponent is :evil:

shredd · November 2006

\insideout\ wrote:

Excellent topic Mike B!! I think it's great to express our appreciation and respect on forums like this. However, we just watched our politicians spend HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of dollars on stupid, insulting, wastefull campaign adds. Imagine what kind of retirement package and health benefits could be given with that money, to the people who actually EARNED it - our service men and women. Frankly, it makes me sick when they say we don't have the money to pay our soldiers what they deserve - BULL! We have the money... our politicians just choose to waste it on frivolous things like excessive luxury travel, and expensive TV commercials telling us what a jerk their opponent is :evil:

AMEN to that!!!

WOGS858 · November 2006

MY MY MY IO
You are really pissed and I gotta agree with you. So much waste at the gov't level and to not take care of our solders is wrong.

I'm working on a public water project and the architect has designed windows that would go well in a cathedral or something(but noone will ever see it since it's not a public place)...I've seen it many times --tons of waste because it's a gov't project and it makes me mad.

I'm grateful to all our solders and don't want to loose any more but I understand why we are there

judoka227 · November 2006

absolutely - thanks to shredd for your kind words about firefighers. right now i'm in the middle of my semester at the fire academy in middlesex county, nj. my father was a firefighter and to say that I have a new found respect for the job he did is an understatement. my fiance was also in the first gulf war in the air force and served in saudi arabia. she was discharged due to a back injury - she was paralyzed for 2 weeks and the doctors told her first that she wouldn't walk again. then by the grace of God she got better and made almost a full recovery. in 2002 she had back surgery due to an injury related to the first service injury. i can't even begin to tell you guys the lack of response we received from the V.A. regarding her medical bills. she was getting sued for about $90,000+ because of her surgery that wasn't being paid by the gov't. only when she threatened to call our congressman did they get their $#!+ together and pay the bill. i can tell you guys first hand that the treatment that our military personnel receives from the gov't is disgusting. they risk and sometimes sacrifice their lives for our freedom and the freedom of other countries (that sometimes don't even deserve it!), and when all is said and done they're lucky if they get a MEAGER paycheck for retirement (even if their retirement is at 25yrs. old and they can't work anymore!!!)

so thanks to all of our vets...

we owe our freedom and way of life to you guys!!!

Metal Rulz · November 2006

WOW...that is incredible. $90.000? And your govn't wouln't even pay that is crazy. I hope to god that our country never gets rid of our health care system. Back surgery would cost you $0.00 or any other kind of surgery for that matter. Your hospital stay would cost $0.00 I don't know why the U.S. gov't doesn't give out free medicare. We all know you have the money for it. Spend on defence I guess. Anyway, a big \"hell Ya\"\" to our service men over seas, and a special thanks to all the veterans that gave their lives for our freedom. We will never forget you.
M.R.

gtaus · November 2006

I served in the Navy and did 2 tours in the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq war. Of course, Sadamm Hussein was our good friend back then. Imagine my surprise (joking of course) to find out that Sadamm was a dirty S.O.B. even back then when we supported him. And yes, this was even after he had gassed his own people. But he was our boy in those days.

To everyone who wishes our veterans and troops well, thank you. But I think most veterans, like me, are more concerned about this administration cutting the guts out of our VA system. I am about 3.5 hours from the nearest Vet Center, and this last year they even dumped me from any benefits because of the cutbacks in funding for our Vet Services. I received a nice letter from the Vet's Service saying that priority is going to combat vets coming back from Iraq with loss of limb or other serious wounds. My point is that America should not have to dump on older vets to support the younger vets. We should be supporting ALL vets like we promised. That, unfortunately, is not happening. Is providing promised services to all vets expensive? Probably, but that's the price of freedom and the cost of going to war. Well wishing and thanks feel good, but they don't buy needed medicine or services for our vets.

And by the way, in case you are wondering, I have been a critic of any politician or administration that cuts, or attempts to cut our promised vet's services. I support those politicains who really support our troops and the vet's services. Paul Wellstone, Minnesota's Democrat Senator and perhaps the most liberal Senator in Congress, was at the same time one of the hardest working politicians for us vets. Patriotism does not belong to either party. There were no Republicans or Democrats on my ship or submarine, we all wore the same Navy Blue uniform and did our jobs to the best of our ability.

OK, I'm off my soapbox. Best wishes to all vets, past and present.

wickerman · November 2006

I was there at my local service!

I made sure i paid my respects to those brave soldiers, without them we wouldn't be here today.

I bet some of those guys have seen some horrific sights.

shando · November 2006

\wickerman\ wrote:

I bet some of those guys have seen some horrific sights.

Yeah, my paycheque at the end of each month!

No, but seriously, since the UK Government announced a tax free operational bonus for UK Forces personnel I am a lot happier. It takes the sting out of being away from home for 6 months. There is also talk of personnel on Ops not paying Council Tax. Every penny counts. We had a rememberance service out here in Bosnia on Sunday, the usual affair with some hymns etc. However, when the Bugler played \"Last Post\" to start the silence the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Serving as a soldier is a massive commitment and personal sacrifice. We are not paid overtime but work long hours as and when required. We sacrifice our time with our families when on Ops and ultimately are ready to lay down our lives, as many have done before us.

In some places \"Squaddies\", as we are commonly known in UK, are held in contempt. But this is usally a view formed from the civilian populations dealings with a small minority. I personally, deal with discipline administration at my unit and the trouble makers are in the minority.

Anyway, as usual I digress. This is a great thread and very much appreciated. It is comforting to know that there are decent people out there who spare a thought for our fallen predecessors and for those vets still living in recognition of the great sacrifices they chose to make.

Thanks again dudes.

TY

shando

Me:

'97 - '01 The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
'01 - '05 The King's Troop RHA
'05 - '06 HQ London District
'06 - Present, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards

Cobaltblooz · November 2006

It makes me sick that these politicians can vote themselves a pay raise, live in luxury....while the troops go without vehicle & body armor, and vets suffer benifit cutbacks!!!!!! :x our government is an abomination

Thanks to our Veterans..

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