Veterans day 11 Nov

[mr mike]

Today, as I write this, it’s Veterans Day.
The flags are flying, and the poppies are blooming.
This year, the date adds a certain poignant sense to this day.
11-11-11. The time set for the end of the First World War,
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month
Of 1918

On television, the movie channel is playing the old classics.
Tom Hanks in SAVING PRIVATE RYAN,
John Wayne in SANDS OF IWO JIMA.

The MILITARY CHANNEL is showing us the TOP TEN.
The top ten bombers, the top ten automatic rifles, and the top ten
World changing battles and their generals.

The HISTORY CHANNEL is running a VIETNAM DIARY kind of thing. Individual service men and women tell their stories and experiences from the war. Many are like me, older , greyer, and
wrinkled. As they speak, their faces are replaced with images taken from their younger days, while in uniform, and in some cases while in service, even combat in Vietnam.

I find myself moved to tears as I watch a grey haired ex-hospital corpsman, who happens also to be Native American, perhaps Navaho? He tells of the terrible trauma seen in his battlefield experiences.

What moves me to tears is his sincere expression at the close of his story, he wished he could have done more. More to reduce pain, more to save lives. He wanted to be a good Marine, a good corpsman. He wanted the respect of his fellows.

I think for all of us who ever served in uniform, that all we ever wanted.
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine’s or Coast Guard, we
all wanted the same thing, to serve, to be good, to earn the respect of our fellow servicemembers male or female.

So on this day, this old thirty-year Navy vet salutes all those who served and are serving still. Whats different this year is I want to follow up. After the eleventh of November, when the flags are gone and the poppies are gone I’m going to remember and
Follow-up.
Heres my list of stuff I want to look into.
Maybe some of you will check this out.
Veterans day is more than one day a year.

1. give shelter; Donate equipment or help build a home for a severely injured vet.

Homefor our troops.org

2. Offer a vet aride. The Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Provides free transportation to men and women unable to travel on their own. You can volunteer to drive a DAV van for those in need.

Dav.org/volunteers

3. Foster care for a pet; Take in the dog or cat of a deployed
Soldier or a wounded vet while he or she is on duty or
Receiving VA medical treatment.

Guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org

4.Record a war story. Do you know an old soldier with tales
From the front lines? The library of Congress wants to hear
His voice. Check the site below for tips on conducting an
Interview or to request a field kit, including biographical data
And release forms.

Loc.gov/vets

5. Got an old cell phone? Instead of stashing your used phones
In the junk drawer, ship them to:
Cell phones for soldiers. For erach one donated, the group
Will pay for an hour of talk time for troops overseas.

Cellphonesforsoldiers.com

6. Donate used DVD’s. Drop off movies or television shows
At your local VA facility, or mail them to DVDs4VETS.
A national group that distributes them where needed.

Dvds4vets.org

7. Cut Coupons. Got some expired coupons lying around?
Military families can use them for up to six months
Past their end date.

Coupsfortroops.com

8. Kick in to a holiday drive. Operation Gratitude’s annual
Campaign collects clothing, food, and more and packs it in
Gift boxes for service members. Pitch in by offering up
Items. Local residents can sort them on-site.

Operationgratitude.com/volunteer

9. Post a care package. Through the organization kitchen
Table gang, hospitalized veterans and troops overseas can
Receive personalized parcels containing everything from
Candy to board games. Get a service members address
From KTG, bundle up items with a note of thanks and send
Them off.

Soldierpackages.org

10. Share your expertise. MilServe connects volunteers with
Vets in many areas. Financial counseling or legal services.
Job search guidance, even carpentry for building
Wheelchair ramps.

Milserve.org

11. Support big brothers / big sisters.
The national organization has a special military mentoring
Program for children with parents in the military. The
Group carefully pairs kids with adults serving in the
Military, as well as with veterans and civilians.

Bbbs.org


If you’ve read this far thanks.
And if you’re a VET, I salute you.

[sighthound]

Well said Mr. Mike, I salute you, Jerry

[imfuncity]

Indeed. Thanks MM

It's not nice to make a grown man cry but... a perfect day to watch "Taking Chance".

[81police]

Awesome post Mike, you said it all.

[sighthound]

As imfuncity suggested this the perfect day to watch "Taking Chance". This is a powerful and moving story of the return of a combat veterans remains to his family. Jerry