I started as a 17 year old high school dropout and in Submarine school received my GED. I used the GI bill to pay for 6 of my 8.5 years of school in private universities. I got to live all over the world and see many places. I got to do two things I love, mininstry and military. I got to wear three sevices' uniforms. I own three houses. I have a great retirement and medical benefits for my almost 37 years of service.
My two nephews fly Navy jets as carrier pilots. They got their Ivy league education paid for by NROTC.
My niece's husband is an Army Officer and his education was paid for by ROTC.
I think every able bodied young person should serve. The benefits can be tremendous whether you make it a career or not.
I remember a notification officer complaining to me in the car on the way home, after a death notification for a soldier killed in Iraq.
I told him these parents will get $500,000 and their son buried in Arlington National Cemetary with full military honors. He died as a hero serving his country that he volunteered to do.
How about the kid killed working in a McDonalds during a robbery. What is McDonalds going to do for the family?
The military is a great organization and for the most part takes care of its own.
I wish the rest of our country functioned as well as our military, including our government.
Thanks SOSHeloPilot, for helping those veterans who fall between the cracks.
So if you know a young person who needs a job and education, send them to the local recruiter if they are good military material.
It is a privelage to serve, but the benefits are tremendous including the pride of being a veteran.
So I thank my great country for its freedoms, and the protection afforded by the greatest fighting force this world has ever seen.
Thanks Gunner, for being a "Jarhead."
__________________
Benjamin Franklin - "He who shall introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face of the world."
George Washington - "It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor."
John Hancock - "Let us humbly commit our righteous cause to the great Lord of the Universe...Let us joyfully leave our concerns in the hands of Him who raises up and puts down the empires and kingdoms of the earth as He pleases."
What worries me is that this current generation has not realized what our service men and women have done and continue to do.
That they have not been taught what national pride is. That these brave men and women are still protecting the USA. That when they look at the American Flag that it means more than stripes and stars. It means that many people bravely fought for what they have; freedom, life and liberty.
I hope that we as Americans never forget the people that truely made America the land of the free. You guys/gals deserve so much.....
Welcome home to those who are, wish a safe return home to those who aren't and thank you.
My aunt sent this picture in an e-mail. I think you will all like it....
Yes. I like that.
Thanks, Glenn(nhparrot) for the welcome home. It means a lot, even forty years later. Strange thing. War & other traumatic events affect people in different ways. Seems the brain has to find a subconscious way to deal with emotionally overwhelming events. I didn’t think I was affected by the events of 1969 & I was glad to be back home. It wasn’t long, though, before the nightmares began. Not frequently, but persistent. The mortars would fall & I would jump out of bed onto the floor. At this date I cannot remember when I had the last one. When I mentioned this thread to my wife she said I was having those dreams in the early years of our marriage, which began in 1974. And, funny thing, after writing my story for this thread I had one that night. The first in many years. The crap is still in there, somewhere. Oh, it wasn’t a dream like the ones at first but there was smoke and ash and somewhere behind the smoke the enemy was advancing. I awoke cold & numb; it was scary. Interesting, though, how it hangs on. I have a good friend who was a Green Beret. He has severe PTSD to this day. I can assure you. It's a real affliction & while mine is insignificant I sympathize with Gun Tech & others who are truly affected.
Yes. I like that.
Thanks, Glenn(nhparrot) for the welcome home. It means a lot, even forty years later. It's a real affliction & while mine is insignificant I sympathize with Gun Tech & others who are truly affected.
I also want to thank those that have said "welcome home". It was 20 years before I first heard someone say that to me. Like Gatorman said, it does mean a lot.
Yes, it is a real affliction and can be debilitating. I am very lucky. I figured out how to keep it at bay. For 20 +/- years, I have not had one of the really nasty dreams. The ones where you actually "smell" combat again (except for the night I watched "We were Soldiers") . A large part of it was talking to others that have been there. A major part was being able to keep my head where it was needed.
I don't feel that I have PTSD because it no longer has any affect on my life. Most people that don't know me from my younger days have no idea and would be shocked to hear it. I feel I am perfectly normal (pipe down wise guys ). Some say it's just like "once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic", I just make sure I don't take that next drink . MANY of our Service Men and Women have not been that lucky. Letting them know how proud of them we are and how much we appreciate what they have been through , goes a LONG way in the healing process.
__________________
07 Tundra DCSB, 5.7, Blue Streak Metallic, 4X4, SR5, TRD, BU, CK, DZ, FE, HM, MG, OF, Brushed Stainless steps, sill protectors, USMC lighted hitch plug and assorted stickers and license plate brackets, rollup bed cover, Rhino Liner, Mesh Grill backing, Black Wheelskin steering wheel cover, Wade in channel vent visors, under rear seat storage, PRG mini spring pack, Proforce rear exit cat-back exhaust, aFe CAI, TRD rear sway bar, A.R.E. MX series Cap.
Former 'squid' here, served 91-97 straight out of high school. While I spent a lot of time floating off the coast of Bosnia, and in the Northern Arabian Gulf, we were only involved in actual combat one time. Heck, we weren't even being shot at - putting Tomahawks on targets in Iraq during the first Gulf War... I was an intelligence geek, spending most of my time huddled in front of a computer in an air-conditioned space on the USS Vicksburg.
The only time I can recall being in any personal danger was, I think, in 94. We had a miniature version of the Mariel Boat Lift, when Castro decided to let people leave. Well, they did. And by any means they could conjure together. We spent three weeks with the Coast Guard plucking people out of the water.
It truly made an impression on my young mind. How bad must a place be to live when a medical doctor will load his family on not much more than chicken-wire and a Hefty bag and set to sea in hope of drifting to our shores... We rescued more than 2000 people from the sometimes dark, sometimes turbulent sea. They were, for the most part, very nice people just hoping for a better life for their families in the USA. At times during the operation we would be outnumbered two-to-one by Cubans on board our ship. There were never any problems.
What sticks with me the most were the cries for help that would pierce the night, the Caribbean so pitch-black from a moonless, cloud-covered sky. Even with the aid of night-vision we couldn't find them all. I don't know how many perished trying to make that journey, but we saved all we could...
If you ever want to meet the definition of ingenuity - talk to a Navy Engineer. We had showers, toilets, and sinks rigged on the decks of the ship in less than two days. We used tank parachutes as tents on the forecastle and fantail to block our guests from the elements, and our helo hanger became an emergency room overnight... I've never seen 350 people come together and work so hard, so fast, and to such great effect.
I don't remember the medals we got for our participation in the operation, other than that they were awarded... I will, forever, carry the indelible image of a 15 year old girl whose family had died at sea. We picked her and her little brother up from a Coast Guard RIB and transported them to Gitmo for processing. She became everyone's little sister, and even though we weren't supposed to - we snuck her and her brother Snicker bars and sodas from the ship's store. One of the guys on board maintained contact, and months later received a letter that her and her brother had made it through processing in Gitmo and were with family in Miami... She had remembered those of us who brought goodies for her little brother by name...You'll rarely see tears swell in a salty DCC's eyes; that day I did...
Anyway, that’s my story. Never saw actual combat like a lot of guys, whom I have the utmost respect for, but I treasure my time in. I learned a lot, grew up very fast, and found a new home in Jacksonville, Fl, where I’ve carved out a nice little life post-navy.
Often, when I see service members in restaurants I’ll have the waitress bring me their bill. I ask her to just tell the guys it’s on the house. Don’t want their thanks; just want them to feel as appreciated as they truly are… If you can swing it, some time, do the same – it’ll make you walk a little taller after seeing their faces…
__________________
08 Silver DC SR5 5.7L. SOS 4/2 Drop, Color Keyed: Mirrors, Door Handles, Front Bumper Filler, Tailgate Handle, and Foglight Trim. Billet Grill Inserts From TRDSPARKS. Debadged. Roll Tide Tag Frame KMC652 Lo-Fi's with 305/45/22 Rubber.
... Often, when I see service members in restaurants I’ll have the waitress bring me their bill. I ask her to just tell the guys it’s on the house. Don’t want their thanks; just want them to feel as appreciated as they truly are… If you can swing it, some time, do the same – it’ll make you walk a little taller after seeing their faces…
That's a great idea!
__________________
Waiter, how do you prepare your chickens?
Nothing special. We just tell them straight out that they're going to die.
Base: 2001 Tundra - Thunder Grey | SR5 | TRD | 4x4 | HD TRD Coil Springs | Tow Pkg | Factory Spray-on Bedliner | RS3000 Security
Mods: Mickey Thompson Classic II | Bilstein 5100 Shocks | Differential Drop Spacers | 930 Inner CV Boots | ProtechEZLift Limit Straps | Spintech Sportsman XL Muffler | Brembo Front Brake Rotors | Heavy Duty OEM Rear Drums | A.R.E. Z-Series Cap w/ Thule Rack | Stubbs Rock Sliders | Hellwig Anti-Sway Bar | 285/75/16 BFG All Terrain TA KO's | VIAIR 400C Air Compressor w/ 2.5 gal tank | Front clear corner lamps | Odyssey PC1700T battery | Optima Red Top 75/35 battery (backup starter) | Hellroaring 95300A Isolator/Combiner | Truspeed Calibrator
Future: Winch Bumper | UCAs & Coilovers | RCD Lift | 4.30 Gears
Folks - there are a couple of simple things that everyone can do that goes a long way
1 - Vietnam Vets were treated horribly when they returned home from RVN - if you know a Vietnam Vet just say "Welcome Home". It may be the first time anyone ever said it to him/her.
2 - When you meet a vet, a reservist, or an active duty service member shake their hand and thank them for their service.
3 - Show the utmost respect to our Gold Star families
The only time I can recall being in any personal danger was, I think, in 94. We had a miniature version of the Mariel Boat Lift, when Castro decided to let people leave. Well, they did. And by any means they could conjure together. We spent three weeks with the Coast Guard plucking people out of the water.
I did the samething in 93' we were getting Hatians and taking them Camp Blukley at Gitmo. Then spent time at the camp "protecting" them. I think most of them were let into the US. The bad ones were sent back to Hati
__________________
07 White,DC Limited TRD and 5.7
Added: 2.5 leveling kit, TRD CAI, TRD Sway, Line-Xtra,UWS truck box, and bed extender.
I did the samething in 93' we were getting Hatians and taking them Camp Blukley at Gitmo. Then spent time at the camp "protecting" them. I think most of them were let into the US. The bad ones were sent back to Hati
I was there for that one too. We escorted a carrier, I forget which one, that was loaded with army helicoptors down there.. We didn't do any transporting that time, just 'plane guard' for the carrier.
Some kind of uprising in Port au Prince if I remember correctly...
Seemed like we were always in the Carribean doing counter-narc stuff when the crap would hit the fan down there...
__________________
08 Silver DC SR5 5.7L. SOS 4/2 Drop, Color Keyed: Mirrors, Door Handles, Front Bumper Filler, Tailgate Handle, and Foglight Trim. Billet Grill Inserts From TRDSPARKS. Debadged. Roll Tide Tag Frame KMC652 Lo-Fi's with 305/45/22 Rubber.
Re: The Military Veterans Thread
). Some say it's just like "once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic", I just make sure I don't take that next drink . MANY of our Service Men and Women have not been that lucky. Letting them know how proud of them we are and how much we appreciate what they have been through , goes a LONG way in the healing process.
Linear Mode
