Veterans Day

[Paul B]

Today as many Americans know is Veterans Day.
I was on my way to the Veteran Festivities at out town hall this morning and I stopped at Star Bucks.
As I was waiting on line a girl behind me said she wanted to buy me breakfast. I was totally honored and blown away as that has never happened to me. She told me her husband is a Gulf War Veteran and she said it is the right thing and patriotic thing to do to honor Veterans.
It was only a couple of bucks but it meant a great deal to me as I am sure it would to any Veteran.
So if you see a Veteran, and today many of them will be wearing something that tells you they served, at least thank them for their service as many Veterans didn't have an easy time and they were all away from home for many months protecting everyone else. I am sure they would appreciate it immensely.
My wife just took this before I went out.

 

[Fudsey]

Happy Veteran's day to all Vets and THANK YOU for serving ! ! !

 

[siggy]

Hats off to the lady and to you as well ! ......thanks for serving

 

[needbiggertanks]

Happy Veterans day to all our fellow veterans!

And thanks to the boards for sharing this great hobby with us. I, for one, have used reefing therapeutically upon leaving the miltary.

 

[DSC reef]

Happy veterans day to all vets, thanks Paul! It's nice to see hear stories of people honoring our vets like this.

 

[sfin52]

Paul thanks for standing in the gap and saying not on my watch. Thank you. With out your service and the ones befor you I wouldn't been able to serve nor would my brothers. Your service and sacrifice is greatly appreciated and valued.

 

[Paul B]

Thank You. I start this thread every year on many forums because it is very important to me. On most forums it doesn't even get a look which is sad. Many (not all) young people today just don't know war. They didn't lose friends in war, didn't have to comfort their parents, kids or spouse. Most of them also didn't have to write the letter to the spouse telling them how their loved one died. I had to write two of those letters and it is the hardest thing I had to do. Recently the wife of my Captain in Viet Nam called me to tell me that he died of Agent Orange related cancer and she wanted me to tell her what the men thought of him (almost 50 years ago) She was crying and it was very hard for me.
These types of things age people and separate them from most of the people who never had to do such things. We hobbiests here and other forums fret if a fish dies and we go on trying to console the owner. That is fine and the way of the world. But if you are going to think of a fishes life, at least try to thank a Veteran you see on the street, not just on Veterans Day, but any day. It will mean a lot to them.

 

[Fin]

Thank you for your service, @Paul B. I believe that I am a little younger than you, but old enough to remember that warriors returning from battle in the 60's were not always greeted with the respect they deserved. I am so glad that things are better now. So, today we give thanks to you and all Veterans that served our great country. I salute you, sir.

 

[Paul B]

Thank you. Thank God we treat them much better now. :D

 

[leepink23]

Thank you for serving! My Grandad told me stories of WW2 and I was always amazed how brave all of the soldiers are. Happy Veterans day to you and all of the rest of the Veterans!

 

[Scurvy]

Many thanks to you and all our R2R vets!

 

[Dancingmad]

Thanks to all our veterans. Literally thank you for your willingness to dodge bullets, shells, mines, all manner of destructive devices, endure both physical and mental hardship, tests of endurance, faith, and humanity for our freedom. Thank you so much for your sacrifices.

 

[DeepBlueSomething]

Thank you @Paul B and all of our veterans who have and are still serving! Our rights defended by your service!

 

[mta_morrow]

Thanks for starting the thread PaulB and thanks for your service. I was fortunate to serve in the 80’s when things were rather quiet. Perhaps it’s because Reagan was in office! I never had to say or write the things you have, and admire you greatly for doing it regardless of the personal toll it takes. Very sincerely. EM2 Morrow, USN

 

[hockeyhead019]

Thank you for your service!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Happy veterans day! Thank you to all those who serve and have served!

 

[WWIII]

Thank You to all our Veterans! Thank you @Paul B for your service and taking the time to post your experience today!

Happy Veterans Day!

 

[KJ]

Happy Veterans day.

 

[Dsnakes]

Happy Veterans Day @Paul B thank you for all you have done.

 

[Mandelstam]

I don't agree with most of the wars the US and many other countries have been in but that critique is always directed at the people in office or the gazillion dollar industries that lobby for them, not at the men and women on the ground. They have my respect. Putting your life on the line for people you don't even know is a thing worth respecting.

So, respect to you all!