Have you served in the military? Please say so here!
Wade Samuelson Captain, United States Army, Field Artillery Howitzer Battery, 1/11 Armored Cavalry Fulda, Germany Active Duty 1990-1993 Reserves 1993-1998
"Give us a call. We'll reach out and touch someone!"
Reon Oldham Spec 4 MOS 63W (wheeled vehicle mechanic) 10 June 1985 to 10 June 1989 at Ft Lewis WA
Wouldn't do it again for 1 million bucks, but wouldn't trade the experience for 2 million either.<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> 7mm
Due to unusual circumstances of my service, I am a member of the VFW but am not eligible for membership in the American Legion. Nevertheless, I serve with a Legion honor guard at veterans' funerals, although my cap and tie are different.
That's exactly why I left the Navy although I'd always intended to go for thirty � the Navy waived sea duty for rated enlisted personnel at the Naval Photographic Center (NPC), which was in Washington, DC, and a horrible place to spend any kind of career.
I put-in a chit, each week, for transfer to the Pacific-fleet combat-camera group and got each one back approved but marked "qualified replacement required." NPC was the Navy's only Class A photo lab, and all the Navy photographers who were qualified to do any of the special movie work that we did at NPC were already in our NPC motion-picture divisions (none in the fleet).
The only TAD that I got was a few days (once) at the Academy for graduation photos of the new ensigns with their folks. Yuk!
A shipmate � Photo Mate First Class � had taken his discharge after twelve years in the Navy and several years at NPC. He'd gone to the west coast to re-up for six in time to get his re-up bonus. Thought he'd go to the Pacific fleet � nope � right back to NPC. He did that next six at NPC and took his discharge after eighteen years. Didn't wait for his twenty.
I loved the Navy. Still do. But I wasn't about to do thirty years � or even twenty � at NPC.
I put in 24 years total between the Iowa National Guard and active Army from June 1973 to September 2005. I was active during Viet Nam, DesertShield/Storm and Iraqi Freedom but never left the USA. kwg
Mr Howell---I would have loved to have spent some time with you in one of the wonderful world ports you found yourself in. I will also take this oppurtunity to offer my thanks and debt of gratitude to those who posted above and hereafter for your service and sacrfices. The same for your wives as well as their sacrifices during your engagements are very worthy of mention! Enjoy the honor you have earned tomorrow gentlemen and gentlewomen. I salute each and every one of you. Bob
1986-1998-- Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi National Guard 1998-2003--Tennessee Air National Guard Desert Shield, Desert Storm, 6 months of current conflict during 2002.
USMC E3; 0352 1996-1998 Out because of busted legs doing stupid Marine schit (i.e. jumping out of helos and off HUMMVs with packs that weighed more than I did).
USN 66-70 Aviation: Whidbey Is Wash years 1 and 2 with short details to 5 carriers, Years 3 and 4 - Details to Guam, DaNang, Bangkok, Osan Korea, Taiwan, Manila, Queensland Austrailia, and Osaka Japan. Did my growing up in those years and would do it again in a second.
SD - It's weird isn't it. I still feel like I have to check the clock everyday to make sure I am not gonna me late to check back in from leave. I am used to only being home for 20 days at a time or so and being home since July has messed me up some.
I don't really feel like a veteran - to me they are all the old WWII guys I see every Memorial Day - not me......
I'm not a vet, but I'd like to say how proud I am of you and all our vets. My dad would be among your fine group if he was still with us. My heartfelt thanks go out to each and every one of you for keeping us free. Words can't really express the debt of gratitiude we owe to you all.
I am not a veteran , but I would like to take this oppertunity to thank all those who are. Sad that we see so few postings from the WW2 era....................
Not technically a "vet". Army NG, 84-90, E-5, 11Bravo. Was "DX'd" from Army ROTC in college for bad hearing, didn't "re-up" since all I had wanted was active duty anyway...the NG time was to get money for school and some training and experience. Got out 6 months prior to first desert war, they wouldn't let me back in.
I'm not a veteran, but am really impressed by the depth and breadth of service here. Thank you all!
And, John, Thank you for serving to protect our right to own guns, as a Member of the NRA staff. We'd be in deep kimshee if it weren't for you good folks working very hard to preserve our gun rights at the NRA. I just upgraded my membership from Life Member to Benefactor, because I know the importance of the job you folks are doing for us gun owners.
The last time I got a paid day off in honor of Veteran's Day, was when I was on active duty. Now I work and pay taxes so all the public employees can have the day off. There oughta be a law. Thanks to all the Vets for your service and sacrifice. Steve
The 3rd Cav has a long and glorious reputation as one of the fiercest combat units in U.S. military history. I still think of myself as a member of that unit.
But Steelhead, we know you must be at least 6 feet tall, that way when ou dingy sinks, you can walk back to shore. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Les
But Steelhead, we know you must be at least 6 feet tall, that way when ou dingy sinks, you can walk back to shore. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Les
That one almost hurt buddy. But I have to worry about pissing here off, she is a Chemical officer. I have a lot of respect for that. Heck in her OBC, they have to go into a room filled with Nerve agent with the MOPP suit and Pro-mask, no way in hell you could get me to do that voluntarily. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Les
I hunt 200 acres in Nelson County Hobie. Beautiful area where you live. If that Avatar is a recent photo of yourself, you've aged great after 27+ in the military. by the way, thank you!
US Army 1985-1995 Sergeant Military Police and Criminal Investigation Division, Drug Suppression.
Camp Humphreys, Korea Fort Ord, CA Birkenfeld, Germany Fort Jackson, SC
Came within a RCH of deployment to Panama (in a C141 enroute and turned around) and Gulf War I (1 week from deployment). The guys fighting have my utmost thanks and respect. Next to them it feels like I've done not much of anything during my time, though there were some hairy moments to be sure.
US Army enlisted, 1985-89, 98C Last assignment, 311 MI BN, 101st Airborne Div, Ft. Campbell Sgt E5 on separation.
Went in thinking I might make a career of it in the family tradition (dad retired Colonel, USArmy; grandfather retired Colonel, USAF (and WWII B17 pilot, Berlin Airlift pilot). Just decided it wasn't for me. Proud to have had the opportunity to serve, and very thankful and respectful of all those who have served, especially those who, unlike me, served in wartime.
Kind of late, but yes I served in the military for 20 years. Air Force Vietnam Era veteran who barely missed Vietnam <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Heavy equipment operator, and 10 years as an aircraft Electrician.
OS1(SW) Retired NEC's (pri): Tomahawk Weapons System, AEGIS Weapons System (awsome stuff)! USS Truett (FF-1095) NORVA USS Missouri (BB-63) Long Beach CA COMASWWINGSPAC North Island CA USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) YOKO USS Antietam (CG-54) Long Beach CA CINCPACFLT Pearl Harbor HI USS Porter (DDG-78) NORVA Return to MO 2001!!!!
SGT, Army 10/67-5/69 13E40 2/17 arty, An Khe radio-teletype operator, courier, aerial observer (Hawkeyes-41st Aviation Group @ An Khe), got bored so played FO for a short time with some nice men in Pleiku who lead some little people out into the jungle to look for some other little people...came home...woke up...
I served, at least for a little while. 24 years in the USN. started out as a DC and ended up a MR1. Spent time as a DV2, Locksmith and ended up as a LPO for a Trident sound silencing teem leader.
Giles Denny Sgt E-5, US Army Reserve, 75 Charlie (Personel clerk) and 91 Charlie, Practical Nurse in Desert Storm. E-5 one year Medical Corps man, See-Bee's and several years as a squid (Navy) also as a Corpsman. I had about 13 years for retirement, about 20 years total, as I kept getting out, missing it and getting back in. Finally just got more sick of it than missed it, and also for health reasons, quit.
Dave Liddick USAF, MSgt Retired (1967-1988_ First 8 years as Air Police, Rest of career Accounting & Finance
Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal Siskiyou County Airport, Montague, CA Tyndall AFB, Fl Thule Air Base, Greenland Hill AFB, UT Barksdale AFB, LA Rhein Main Air Base, GE Beale AFB, CA
US Army, 63A, M1A2Sep V2 systems maintainer, SSG, 1997 to present Currently deployed to Iraq again, first time with 2nd Squadron 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment! Prepare the Regimental Accolade! see who knows the rest!
E. Gary Hodge Staff Sergeant USMC [Happy 233rd] oorah! 1966-1970 AAWEOC 6741 -California [Boot Camp, ITR, A-school]10/66-5/67 -Hawaii [MCAS Kaneohe Bay-MACS-2]5/67-5/69 -El Toro Calif and TAD to Yuma , Arizona [DASC,UPS-1] 5/69-9/69 -Danang, South Vietnam [I-Corps TADC Crew Chief] 9/69-9/70
I have lots of company around here too. My father-in-law [Motor T WW2] has passed but my uncle [Amtrac driver in WW2]is still with us, my son-in-law [ex but we are still good friends] USMC 0311 SSGT still in -at Pendleton at the moment, my oldest son is out now [ordinance crew chief for close air support] and back with us going to school and last my adopted son is in Force Recon. He is a sergeant at the moment.
Oregon Guard since 1989. 11 Boo Boo. Spent this past year working as a Combat Advisor (ETT) to the CNIK (counter narcotics infantry kandek) in Afghanistan. We spent the spring threw October down in the Helmand and Kandahar provinces fighting bad guys. Our team of 15 lost a great friend and member, two Afghan interpreters also died in the same incident. We have had 7 Purple Hearts and 5 Valor awards.
I was of the Vietnam era, was in college when the lottery system was put in; my number for my county was 172 and was called to take my physical but they stopped at 168 though I was ready to go.
The friends and acquaintances who chose to depart to Canada at that time saddened me and their lives were changed forever.
My heart felt thanks for all vets here of any stripe and service for your gift to the rest of us.
US ARMY Security Agency 1961-1964 (No combat just Cold War) 1year at Monterey ALS. 1 year on Shemya in the Aleutians. (Still cannot talk about it.) 1 year in Waashington DC at ASA HQs. Made E-5, twice. But that's another story.
US Navy 1961-1965. Machinist Mate 2nd class. Served aboard the USS Joseph P Kennedy, Jr DD850. The ship is currently in Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA.
Enlisted U.S. Navy 1958 through 1961 was a member of the old AFSWP & DASA Command and served in such exotic places as San Diego, CA, Great Lakes, IL, Albequerque, NM, Norfolk, VA and Jacksonville, FL.
I was medically discharged from the service at USNH Jacksonville,FL.
USA, Spec 5 10 Aug 70 - 13 Aug 73. Basic at Ford Ord, CA AIT at Fort Sam Houston, TX Posted to West Berlin, Germany, (Berlin Brigade) and Fort Myer, VA.
R.E. Drews USMC May 1953-May 1962 1st and 2nd Mar Div -Korea and North Carolina. Communications I'd do it again! Semper Fi Yo wuzzagrunt: How come the Corps didn't have a complaint dept when I was in?
USA, Spec 5 10 Aug 70 - 13 Aug 73. Basic at Ford Ord, CA AIT at Fort Sam Houston, TX Posted to West Berlin, Germany, (Berlin Brigade) and Fort Myer, VA.
Guten Tag!
That's where I spent 2 1/2 years watching the Russians and East Germans watch us.
I was in HHC, 4th Bn 18th Inf. (later redesignated 4/6) at McNair Kaserne from August 1972 through Jan 1975.
Those were indeed interesting times! I was an aide to the USCOB, don't remember which outfit I was technically assigned to. I would have to go dig out my orders to look and see.
Just heard a C-130 from my ANG unit fly over. They have a bird up for a Veterans Day parade. I was getting my hunting gear assembled. It made my day even better.
The kids in our local grammar school are having an honor luncheon today for all veterans who want to come. If you walk out of there with a dry eye, you have no feeling. God bless the future of our country.
Sergeant, USMC, Jan 2004-Jan 2008 Active Jan 2008-present Reserve Artillery and Naval Gunfire Scout Observer Camp Lejeune, NC 1/10 in CONUS 2/6 in Fallujah RCT-2 in Al Anbar
USAF 1962-1966 E-5 S Sgt Viet Nam Sep 1965-Mar 1966 Received wet exposure to Agent Orange during Jan 1966 Tet Offensive. One of 8 Spec Ops to survive Ashou Valley Massacre Mar 15-16 1966. Currently rated 90% disabled by VA
My thanks to all who gave their all for my freedoms. Blessings to you and your families.
Although I'm technically a veteran, I gave-up nothing and contributed nothing to the nation except the dubious benefit of the presence of my warm carcass 1949�1953. Too young for World War Two, I enlisted before we got into the next one � when we thought that there'd never be another one. (And got out when I couldn't get transferred to combat duty.)
So I bow with awe and respect to all the real veterans everywhere, from all branches and eras, and offer my fervent thanks to you all.
Ken, anyone that served is a vet. Heck, I had to join the Air Guard to get shot at. You would have served in a combat area if allowed. We are all vets from the guys and gals that are never seen behind the scenes, to the ones in the thick of it. My position always was and is "if you weren't needed you wouldn't be on the pay roll". As for those that are not vets, I'd rather have 100 patriots behind me than one jerk spitting on me. Not everyone serves in the military but good citizens are important too. Even a vet needs to be a good citizen.
Colice D. Powell Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Transportation Corps 1987 - present 37th Transportation Group 4th Infantry Division 19th Theater Support Command Combined Arms Support Command Joint Task Force Noble Anvil 101st Airborne Division 1st Corps Support Command Eighth US Army 836th Transportation Battalion 1st Theater Sustainment Command
Not a bad thread. Hat's off to all you guys on this Veterans Day, but let's not forget that we are all alive. We owe a lot to the guy's that are not with us today. Hat's off to THEM!
Hats off to my Nephew: Brian M. Zoleske, M/SGT United States Army Combat Engineer Ranger E.O.D. 1 tour Balkans 3 tours Iraq Headed for the 'Stan 3 days after Christmas 2008 1 Purple heart 1 Bronze Star W/V device for valor 17 years service to date, he is really one of the good guys and makes my service pale by comparison.
Dang! Could you have picked about a more dangerous spot and predicament as in Chesty Puller when surrounded by the Chinese at the Frozin Chosin said, "Good, now we can shoot at the bastards from all directions."
Since you were in the Air Force, were you attached directly to Green Beret unit and were you there to call in the A1 Skyraiders, Puffs, etc., or were you in one of those that were shot down in support?
In Canada........RCMP/police.....for way too long starting in 1978.
Only two Canadian Veteranss at the "Fire? I read the whole thread just to see who all we are. I'm the other Canadian Vet. Posted my service in '06 but better own up to it again.
26+ years Canadian Forces Medic. Served in Canada and Bosnia. Specialized in Air Med Evac.
Lest We Forget: Past and Present, those who served and made it home, those who serve and pray to make it home and most importantly, those who served and made the great sacrifice for all of us who enjoy freedom.
Not a bad thread. Hat's off to all you guys on this Veterans Day, but let's not forget that we are all alive. We owe a lot to the guy's that are not with us today. Hat's off to THEM!
I know what you mean.
During the years I was in, we had three conflicts and I wasn't invited to any of them. I ended up watching the action in the company dayroom like everyone else in my unit.
Slasher, Chesty once called a South Korean Col. up at the line to get some Info on how many Chineses were up there. The Col. said "Many, Many Chinese" He asked again "How Many?" The Col answered again "many, many." Frustrated he asked the Col. to put a Marine Laison Officer on the line. He asked the same question. The Officer said "There's a [bleep] of Chinese up here, Col." Chesty replied. "Thank god someone knows how to count up there"
I heard this on Fox News and maybe don't have the figures quite exact but there are some 2 million plus WW II veterans still alive but they are dying at a rate of about 800 a day. My father was one, in the Phillipines at age 18, and is 82 today and still in relatively good health.
One of his brothers was in the Navy on a ship that was hit so bad they were bailing water with buckets. Another, in the European theatre was in a German prisoner of war camp for two years.
They all came home thankfully though my father is the only survivor.
I guess I don't really consider myself a Veteran. I was in the 101st Airborne, never left the USA, never saw a minute of combat and never jumped into anything but a landing field at Benning. To me, Veterans are those brave men ( most scared to death) that fought the real battles. I have nothing but the utmost of respect for them and admiration for them too. In battle, I have NO idea of what kind of soldier I would have been, a good one I would hope. I remember the first time I met my wifes son, he saw my uniform and asked if I ever killed anyone, I said, fortunatly I didn't have too. He asked if I was ever in a war. I said, no I was lucky and didn't have to go to war. He was sorta disappointed in me for sure as I was NO hero. I tried to explain to him how lucky I was NOT to have to have shot anyone, he didn't understand. At least til he went into the Navy many years later. I think he understands now.
Dave, get his last book "Chesty" by Col. Hoffman. All true. I worked for Chesty. He almost had me convinced to be a career jarhead, I could tell you stories for an hour. Semper Fi
I guess I don't really consider myself a Veteran. I was in the 101st Airborne, never left the USA, never saw a minute of combat and never jumped into anything but a landing field at Benning. To me, Veterans are those brave men ( most scared to death) that fought the real battles. I have nothing but the utmost of respect for them and admiration for them too. In battle, I have NO idea of what kind of soldier I would have been, a good one I would hope. I remember the first time I met my wifes son, he saw my uniform and asked if I ever killed anyone, I said, fortunatly I didn't have too. He asked if I was ever in a war. I said, no I was lucky and didn't have to go to war. He was sorta disappointed in me for sure as I was NO hero. I tried to explain to him how lucky I was NOT to have to have shot anyone, he didn't understand. At least til he went into the Navy many years later. I think he understands now.
You are a Veteran, you served your county where other's didn't, that is all it takes buddy. You have my respect, I refused to jump out of perfectly good airplanes. Les
Ruger, No doubt about it, you are a veteran. Just because you were fortunate enough to stay out of a fracass, doesn't make you any less a Veteran. You were there if needed and willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. No one could ask more of you. Military people buy the farm even in peacetime. If that doesn't make you a veteran I don't know what does. Semper Fi, Doggie!
Slasher- I was there being TDY from 2nd Recon Tech SQDrn at Barksdale AFB, LA. I was attached to Det 10 of 544th Recon at Saigon. Being from a Recon unit and trained as a Forward Area Observer I was temporarily attached to the Berets. The outpost was attacked and nearly overrun by Battalion of NVA regulars the early morning (4AM)of 15 Mar 1966.
This is timely. Just getting back from deer camp where there were five of us, all Navy vets, including one who is still in the Reserves and just pinned on Chief.
One CDR (ret) (me) One BT2 (my brother) One PH3 (Cousin) One AE1 (ret) Cousin One ABHC (Still serving) Cousin
I was a Naval Flight Officer, or more specifically, an Electronics Countermeasures Officer - 86 to 08. 12 years active / 10 years Reserve. Saw more green ink time as a Reservist than I did active duty. Active Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Reserves, Bosnia, Kosovo, three dets to Northern Watch, one trip to Southern Watch. 2500 hours, 500 traps.
Lifting your right hand and taking an oath and serving honorably makes you a vet regardless of where or when you served.
You could read U S Senator Max Cleland's book "Strong at the Broken Places." He was in the army stateside and repeatedly requested assignment to Vietnam. He was thwarted for years. His superiors told him to leave it alone. Finally, his request was granted. So, he goes to Vietnam. However, they keep him in the rear. He protests and finally gets to go on a heli flight to set up a radio net. He is getting off the helicopter and boom, his legs and an arm are blown off. The hell he went through for years is described in his book. Years later, another troop admits a grenade from his harness came off, and it turns out his own USA compadre is responsible for his horrific injuries.
I have a friend who was a USMC machine gunner, Da Nang 1969. He never could get assigned to the bush to fight, despite Marine's heavy losses and dire need for gunners and his persistent requests to fight, including a complaint to his Georgia U S Senator. He has a hero complex and is ticked off about it to this day. I tell him he should feel fortunate he did not have to kill or maim or be maimed himself, but to feel compassion for those who did or who suffered horrible permanent injuries and PTSD. He still mentions so and so who was a hero in Nam and has this medal or that for valor.
I had another friend who did a year in Nam with USMC with heavy contact, just one tough dude; saw him step on a burning hot charcoal brisquette, and take part of the bottom of his foot out and never murmur or seek treatment. Anyway, they send him back for a second tour and he complains to his senator. To punish him, they put him on morgue duty there. He couldn't handle everything and even told me once had he to do it all again, he would have gone to Canada. He killed himself in the 80's.
The point is ya'll showed up to be and do should you be called.
Even recently deceased Paul Newman, the supposedly flaming liberal, serious anti-war protester about Vietnam, pro gay, who abhorred violence, applied for a naval carrier aviator post but was turned down for color blindness. He went on to be a rear gunner, radio operator in TBY and had 3 service medals. The details are sketchy on him but anyway it takes what, 10 guys to support one guy in direct combat. Plus, in a huge bureacracy like the military, by it's very nature, assignments cannot always be logical, they can be random, and fairness seems to be rare at times.
US Army 1985-1995. 101st Airborne when not assigned to the 2nd ID. AH-1 crewchief, line chief and Tech Inspector. Air Cavalryman for life. Desert Shield/Desert Storm vet. First in, last out.
I heard this on Fox News and maybe don't have the figures quite exact but there are some 2 million plus WW II veterans still alive but they are dying at a rate of about 800 a day. My father was one, in the Phillipines at age 18, and is 82 today and still in relatively good health.
One of his brothers was in the Navy on a ship that was hit so bad they were bailing water with buckets. Another, in the European theatre was in a German prisoner of war camp for two years.
They all came home thankfully though my father is the only survivor.
My dad was a WWII vet, he was on a destroyer that DID sink. Had two uncles killed at Normandy & two made it through unscathed. One in the pacific theater in the army & the other as a tail gunner on bombers over Europe. All have since passed on.
USS Gridley CG-21 1987-1989 - 6 month WestPac cruise with USS Ranger Battle Group (only 12 days total at port! longest stretch at sea 97 days... two beer days!).
Have you served in the military? Please say so here!
Wade Samuelson Captain, United States Army, Field Artillery Howitzer Battery, 1/11 Armored Cavalry Fulda, Germany Active Duty 1990-1993 Reserves 1993-1998
"Give us a call. We'll reach out and touch someone!"
Served OARNG 1/107 Armored Cav. from 1976 to 1983. Heavy combat recovery, 4.2 mortar crew gunnery SGT., rifle team leader, and scout section SSGT.. Our unit mission changed many times back then..but our detication to serve never did..
US Army/US Army Reserves 1963-72. 176 Armoured Cav Adviser to ARVN in Vietnam 64 Captain
Chair of Safari Club International Veterans/Wounded Warrior Committee(Northern Va. chapter)----- An opportunity to provide hunting trips & other events to American heroes has been the most rewarding experience of my life. May God bless all those that served & are serving our country & especially those & their families that gave they lives for our freedom.
� Who here is now on active duty in a combat area?
At seventy-eight (seventy-nine in January), I may be one of the oldest and earliest (enlisted, regular, 4 August 1949) � but not even included in any of the other categories.
Service, 4 years 1/75 Ranger Battalion and Ranger Regiment: 1 Combat Parachute assault, October 25, 1983, Point Salinas, Grenada. 12 deployments to Central America,Carribean,Europe and the US. 2 Years in ARNG LRRS as a Team Leader. 5 Years in 1/121 Infantry ARNG 48th Brigade. 1 Tour of Combat duty during OIF in 2005 attached to the 3rd ID. Worked in the Sunni Triangle outside of Baghdad. 11B Infantry, Ranger, Sniper.11B2V and B-4 Worked 4 years in Iraq, Presently in Afghanistan.
HOOAH to you rgrx1276, I respect you Rangers, a boatload, worked with a few up at Lewis when we did some training at NTC, I know ya'll appreciated the tanks that were with my Company on a cold and rainy night on the south side of the Whale Gap. Ya'lls ground game is impeccable!
I'll tell you Les, I learned a lot from the Mech guys that I was around. Nothing but respect for them. They work hard, put in lots of hours, and when you need some firepower fast, they can't be beat.
SP5-- D Co. 815th Engineers QL 20 Central Highlands South Vietnam, Nov.70 --Nov 71 . Jan 71 to Nov 71 NCOIC Of Guntruck Wild Thing-- Running supply convoys in and out of Central Highlands-- Web
Thanks to all veterans who serve now and in the past.
Dad left college and joined the Army Air Corps after Pearl Harbor. He wound up in England, responsible for servicing several B17's. Earned a DSC for innovative maintenance techniques on the engines, rose to Master Sergeant, and met my mom there.
D Troop 1/10 Aircav 4th INF 66-67 Door gunner and grunt. Cheo Reo to Dak To, Bong Song to Duc Co. When it rains hard I still want to fill sand bags and eat everyting with a big GI spoon.
52nd MP Co Ft. Sam Houston 1973 & 1974 B Btry 1/43d ADA (Nike Hercules) Ft. Richardson AK 1974 to 1976 186 MP Co. Iowa National Guard 1976 to 1977 Iowa National Guard 1985 to 2005 UH 1H CE and retired out as a Pltn Sgt / E 7 Activated for Desert Shield/Storm and Iraqi Freedom private contractor Afghanistan March 2009 to August 2009
� still want to � eat everything with a big GI spoon.
Never got the chance to try MREs, which I've heard called "meals rejected by Ethiopians" and "three lies for the price of one," but I've ingested a lot of aged World War Two C-rations on forest fires. Some were edible, none palatable � but they kept us working and alive � sort of.
Eating some of the stuff in those old cans and packets was down-right inhumane and in some cases even self-flagellation. By far the best thing in those ancient C-ration boxes was those neat little can-openers. I saved 'em all, gave a bunch away, and still have some around here somewhere. I think that there's one on my key chain.
USAF-1962-1966 2nd Recon Sqdrn, Barksdale AFB, LA Viet Nam-1965-1966, Tan Son Nhut AFB, Det 1, 544 Recon Bn, Survivor (9 of 42) of Ashau Valley Massacre, Mar 15 1966,
Currently Service Connected Disabled Veteran due to exposure to Agent Orange Dioxion (Diabetes, Pneuropathy of both lower extremities, dioxion contamination of Liver and Pancreas)
USN 1966-1970 Aviation structural mechanic 2nd class PO. Two years stateside and 2 years all over the Pacific and Asia. A great time that I'd gladly do over, but having no say in ones destiny brought me back to civilian life. The GI bill got me a BS and half of my Masters.
Have you served in the military? Please say so here!
Wade Samuelson Captain, United States Army, Field Artillery Howitzer Battery, 1/11 Armored Cavalry Fulda, Germany Active Duty 1990-1993 Reserves 1993-1998
We have a few things in common. My father spent a lot of time in 11th ACR, 1st squadron in particular with which he spent a year in Vietnam in 1966. You being an artilleryman, you've obviously been to Ft Sill, OK. I've got relatives all over SW OK and my in-laws currently live there. I served in Germany the same time you did as I was there 1988-1991.
Lieutenant Colonel (Promotable) Colice D. Powell US Army Transportation Corps 1987-present AKA Expat
US ARmy Sgt E-5 1967-69 Communications Section Chief 05C40 - Radio Teletype 1 tour Camp Colbern Korea Basic - Fort Ord Radio School - Fort Ord Radio Teletype School - Fort Gordon
A young fellow with two little kids kept coming to my table at a Kalispell gun show. He showed interest in only one thing on my table � a brand-new Forster case-trimmer with a passel of accessories. He'd pick it up, turn it over and over in his hands, stare at it for a while, lay it back down, and look back at it as he took the kids by their hands and slowly walked away. Never said a word.
Each time was exactly like the first. He obviously knew what the thing was, wanted it badly, and couldn't afford it.
He and the kids were shabby but clean-scrubbed. He wore a faded and tattered field jacket with frayed cuffs and an embroidered Combat Infantryman Badge. On his ball cap was an embroidered unit designation and a place name that I recognized as somewhere in Viet Nam.
The fourth or fifth time he came to the table and picked-up the Forster, I gestured to the CIB �
"Did you earn that in 'Nam?"
"Uh � Sir?"
I repeated the question.
"Uh � uh � yes, Sir."
I reached under the table and got the boxes for the Forster and all the accessories � about half a dozen calibers of pilots, etc, a hollow-pointer, and a few other odds and ends. I put all those goodies in their boxes and handed that double handful to him.
"Please accept these with my compliments and my gratitude."
"Th-thank you, Sir!" (Superfluous � the look on his face and the knot in my throat were enough.) Of course, I never saw him again and didn't expect that I would.
Still wish that I had a Forster outfit like that for each of you 'Nam guys.
When Bill Buckley opined that every gift carried with it an expectation of reciprocation, I told him of that quiet little gun-show episode. He accepted my point and added that the story had made his day.
Lost the majority of my earning years, but the good Lord has blessed me in the twilight of my life and helped me catch up. I wouldn't change anything and enjoyed the camaraderie of my years in the service.
I'm a veteran of a foreign country . South African Army 1981-1983, but my daughter is a USAF vet 2009-2014. Captain at F.E. Warren, Minuteman program instructor.
I'm not a veteran but my brother served in the USAF for 4 years. I read through most of this thread. Thank you to each member who has served our country! The sacrifices you made are not forgotten.
but before we started work yesterday my crew took a moment of silence to think about what our level of gratitude should be to the vets both past and present that allow us to do what we do.
May God bless all our vets on the fire and throughout our nation
Regular Army July 67 to March 70. My overseas tour of duty was at Fort Wainwright just outside of Fairbanks AK. No one was shooting at us but it sure got cold there.
USAF 1972-1975 Crew chief jet 1&2 WV Air Guard 1975-2002 C-130E crew chief and then flight engineer for 21 years (1981-2002) C-130 E & H models. Retired E8
flew jets off about 4 carriers, did staff work on the rest, lots of sea stories.
Washington, Nimitz, Eisenhower, Vinson, Roosevelt, Lincoln (2 tours), Stennis, Truman
Flew jets out of Aviano, Italy, PSAB, Saudi (was at PSAB for 9-11), Dhahran AB (stayed in Khobar towers before they blew it up) Incirlik Turkey, Al Udeid AB, Qatar
In as a idealistic 2Lt out as a somewhat apathetic CPT.
I think that the U.S. would be a better place if every high school graduate who was physically and mentally capable did 18 months of civil or military service. More people would have a common experience and might understand people from other parts of our Country better. The U.S. is a large country with many regional differences that most people are never exposed to. I have read that around 70% of Americans live close to where they were raised, some say within a radius of just 20 miles.
US Army Infantry 1972-1975. 2 1/2 years in Berlin Brigade, West Berlin, FRG. Fwiw, our unit patch was the same as SHAEF with "Berlin" overlaid so I like to tell folks that General Eisenhower used to be in my outfit.
Have any of you guys found a friend on those 'veteran locator' websites. The few I checked out all want you to join or subscribe. I am a frugal man, and was hoping there was a free central registry.
US Army Security Agency/Inscom 1972-1979 SGT/Senior Morse Intercept Operator (The smart ones learned a language...the dummies like me learned Morse Code) Vietnam ended while I was in training but I served four Asian tours anyway: Thailand, Okinawa, South Korea, and Okinawa (commies were still the enemy then...and NOT serving in our government)
Have any of you guys found a friend on those 'veteran locator' websites. The few I checked out all want you to join or subscribe. I am a frugal man, and was hoping there was a free central registry.
I reconnected with a bunch of shipmates thru Facefugg. I hate the platform but it was good for finding friends from 30 years ago.
US Army Reserve 1980 - 82 US Army 1982 - 2002 Medical Service Corps: Environmental Engineer, Env Health Eng, Sanitary Eng, Env Coordinator, Env Program Manager, Operations Officer, yada yada yada. Appears to be a trend except the Ops Ofc.
US Army 1985-1994 31C Infantry RTO "You can talk about us, but you can't talk about us without us."
Ha ... hadn't seen nor heard that one in awhile.
My RTOs were always some of the most interesting guys. We lost three of them, jumping PRC 77s, in Gallant Eagle in '82. Three out of seven killed on that jump with 156 critically injured .... many more RTOs injured than even the TOW, mortar and 60 gunners. I always figured there was something to that.
Have any of you guys found a friend on those 'veteran locator' websites. The few I checked out all want you to join or subscribe. I am a frugal man, and was hoping there was a free central registry.
I reconnected with a bunch of shipmates thru Facefugg. I hate the platform but it was good for finding friends from 30 years ago.
Thanks for the reply, I apparently am permanently banned from Facebook, I made some offensive remarks about AG Eric Holder once, maybe I can get my daughter to do a 'straw man' thing for me.
US Army 1982 to 1986 Active Duty 05B20A4 Combat Communication Specialist/IMC Certified
I came through Brems right after MOS's changed from 05C to 31C. Most often carried PRC-77's, SINCGARS, TACSAT and chased a LT, CPT and MAJ around. Commo seemed to be forgotten about by the Pentagon and promotion boards. Points were sky high my whole time in. Should have simply been 11B primary. Lotsa fun it was. Ha!
US Army 1969-1977 11B4V RVN Germany US Navy 1982-1998 Surface Warfare Officer USS Robert E. Peary USS Leftwich USS O’Brien USS Patriot USS David R. Ray
Army, signed up 1982 19E Primary MOS 63N Secondary MOS 1st CAV, 3rd Battalion 10th CAV, “Ready and Forward” That was my favorite unit because I could go back to my home town every weekend if I didn’t have CQ duty or was not in the field.
Favorite job, driver for First Sargent, had my own M151A2 to take care of. When in the field he usually went back to the post every night. He was short and always bitching about being to old for this field crap. So I got to sleep in my own bed instead of in an M88.
Have any of you guys found a friend on those 'veteran locator' websites. The few I checked out all want you to join or subscribe. I am a frugal man, and was hoping there was a free central registry.
I reconnected with a bunch of shipmates thru Facefugg. I hate the platform but it was good for finding friends from 30 years ago.
Thanks for the reply, I apparently am permanently banned from Facebook, I made some offensive remarks about AG Eric Holder once, maybe I can get my daughter to do a 'straw man' thing for me.
And how many vets here are victims of contamination from things such as Agent Orange or Mid-east burn-pit contamination? In the case of AO, the military chose to ignore the presence of dioxin and furan.
Why isn’t it odd! I looked over every handle posted and didn’t see the names of any of the AH that are constantly bitching and griping and low rating others postings! Why am I not surprised!!
USNR active duty reservist for 2 years, 2 standard USN active duty 4 year enlistments after. ET5 after 2 years and quiet professional for 8. I basically got kicked out of high school for fighting and the Navy wouldn't take me active without a diploma but the reserves would and all you had to do was ask to go active. Like most things in my life, I found a back door or end around way to do something everyone said I couldn't.
Thanks Wade - he's not a member here but now, I have a DD214 and so does my son. Discharged this summer.
It's weird - someone asked me today what Veteran's day means to me and I said this -
It was the most meaningful work I've ever done in my life. It was with the best people I've ever known. It's a brotherhood/sisterhood that has real teeth/meaning and one that is universal, regardless of branch. Veterans are veterans regardless of which country's uniform they wear and we all have this shared, common bond it seems. I have a DD214, my son does as well. We have 2 separate and distinct bonds between us. Almost like separate relationships. One as father/son and another as vets.
No one's better than another person because they served but I am a better person because I served. If that makes sense.
Hye Blammer! Good food was the best. Our Mess Section in 3BDE of the 82nd had a huge emblem painted on their wall. It was the parachutist badge with words "Death From Within" underneath them.
Army, Retired at 23 years in "05" 4 years enlisted, 19 commissioned
Field Artillery
11th ACR 1st ID 25th ID
Currently a "ACP" (Army Civilian Professional) I guess someone didn't like the old DAC term (Dept Army Civilian). About 14 months till the 2nd retirement.
MOS's: 1. 91 Bravo 2. 91 Charlie 3. 91 Sierra 4. 54 Echo 5. 300 F.1
US Army Medical Corps 2 years Hospital, Madigan AMC 2 yrs + 5501 MASH 2 yrs + HHQ, 47th AVN BN, Med Evac Crewman
Thanks to our other campfire members who have served our nation, by putting on a uniform and taking an oath to defend our nation, against ALL enemies, Foreign and DOMESTIC...
June 1952 to Sept 1975, Military Dependent. Old Man; USMC 1948 to 1957, USAF 1957 to 1974
June 1973 to June 1976 Active Army MP. Ft. Sam Houston and Ft. Richardson Alaska August 1976 to August 1977 Iowa Army National Guard. August 1985 to September 2005 Iowa Army National Guard
Down in Ky on the farm getting ready for deer season that opens tomorrow. With me are cousins and brother.
Me. Retired Navy CDR that flew EA-6Bs (ret @20) My brother. Boiler Tech 2nd class My cousin Scott. Aviation Bosun Mate Chief (ret @20) My cousin Gary. Photographers mate 3rd class My cousin Larry. Aviation Electronics Tech 1st class (ret @20)
Deer season is a grand reunion and a chance to lift a glass to all our fellow vets. The odd thing is no one in the family had ever been in the navy before, they were Army, and this whole generation served at sea.
Naval Aviator 1972-1993. Retired spring of ‘93 and became a Flight simulator and Ground school instructor for the Navy teaching young Ensigns and Second Lts until June, 2021. Most of my deployed time is off the USS Midway (CV 41) in F-4s and USS America (CV 66) in F-14s.
FC2/E-5 90-96 USS Biddle CG-34 and USS Wasp LHD-1 I’m proud to have served but don’t feel that I did much. The young men and women our nation have lost are what’s on my mind on Veterans Day. I’m thankful for their sacrifices.
11B July 12 83 to 1 Sept 08 Sitting out the rain in the truck right now in 44A on FTCKY. Still hunt in at shooting light , sit down in a big valley on a hard transistion line that feeds into thick pines. Radar looks like it might be timed good.
Homie dont get paid to be in the rain anymore. 👍👍👍
11B July 12 83 to 1 Sept 08 Sitting out the rain in the truck right now in 44A on FTCKY. Still hunt in at shooting light , sit down in a big valley on a hard transistion line that feeds into thick pines. Radar looks like it might be timed good.
Homie dont get paid to be in the rain anymore. 👍👍👍
A just retired friend and former DMPD officer. His wife is still with DMPD and she is a former medic in the Iowa Guard. We flew together when we were MEDEVAC at Ft. Hood in '90 and '91.
US Army National Guard 1980-1987 972nd Dental Detachment Spec 4
I joined and met 6 drills before graduating high school. Quite a few of us chose to do that in various NG units. Quite a few went full-time military.
My unit was overstaffed with long-termers and rank was very slow to come by. I graduated pharmacy school in May, 1987 and there were no officer slots for me to transfer into and many in the waiting line ahead of me holding enlisted slots. Still, I planned to stay in, but our unit was called to mandatory 2 drill weekends per month instead of 1. I was already working 2 weekends per month at the pharmacy. It just became undoable. So I exited my unit later in 1987. The dental unit I was in and the medical unit I was trying to transfer to were both disbanded in the early 1990s, so I would not have made retirement anyway.
Leaving the unit was, reluctantly, the best decision I could have made at the time.
I am proud to have served, even though the most difficult combat I saw was in fighting tooth decay.
School at NAS Memphis? I was there from July 76 to May 77.
I was there six months earlier enjoying an ice storm and watching people try to drive.
You shoulda been there for my winter.
Barracks B-6, right across the street from the chow hall. Musta been January (1977) but I can't be sure...Had a room on the third floor with the window facing west. It's Saturday morning and I'm sleeping in, but I am awakened at around 8 AM by a commotion outside. I look out the window to see that there were maybe 100 Marines on one side of the road and maybe 100 Sailors on the other, and they are having the most glorious snowball fight you ever saw. Call it a war. I opened the widow to make sure I missed nothing.
Before long, the JOOD in his grey AMC Hornet (remember those?) comes up the road right into the middle of the battle, so the tempo of warfare diminishes. The JOOD steps out of his car, and several shore Patrol show up in their grey Dodge pickups. Peace breaks out.
The JOOD stands there a moment, I suppose he is admiring the effects of his imposing presence while this one Marine stoops over and begins building a snowball. He packs it good and makes sure he's fabricated the finest of ordnance. He then advances toward the JOOD who's standing there, seemingly unaware or maybe not believing what he's witnessing, and the young Marine takes aim and lets fly with his snowball---smacking the JOOD but good, right in the middle of the chest.
Then ALL HELL breaks loose. The war is on and has gone nuclear. Shore Patrol decides they're going to impose peace and they're charging the lines of both sides, and the combatants from both sides begin to retreat in no particular order except as quickly as they can. A platoon, perhaps, of sailors is running toward the structure from which I am witnessing all this and on their tail is a grey Dodge Shore Patrol pickup...and he's coming fast. The driver of the grey Shore Patrol pickup realizes he's going waaaaay too fast, so he locks up the brakes.
Too late.
The grey Shore Patrol pickup literally SLAMS into the building from which I am observing. How it did not inflict more serious damage to the building I'll never know, but he did smack it pretty hard.
I think I have about a dozen favorite memories from the Navy, and that one definitely ranks up near the top.
Thanks for your service all. And a special thanks to my WWII Vet father whom guided me & answered my many questions during the VN years that I might have been involved in. I've neve forgotten some of the things he said & told about war & being there.
Mississippi Army National Guard April 1971 -77.. 11 D 20 armored recon scout. Worked summers at my unit also. Found out I was an educator and wound up teaching many classes. Also participated in small bore 3 position competitions. Was battalion champ in 1974 and competed in the state competition and came in 20th out of 300 t competitors. Left as E-6. Enjoyed my service time. Still run into a few every now and then. Feel like every one should serve in some capacity if physically able. Father served in jnnnArmy in postwar Germany. Still have in picture of him in uniform in hallway. His younger brother retired as Lt Col in USMC and did 3 tours in Vietnam as a line company officer. Older brother was in Air Force as C-130 mechanic in Korea. I
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You would have served in a combat area if allowed. We are all vets from the guys and gals that are never seen behind the scenes, to the ones in the thick of it. My position always was and is "if you weren't needed you wouldn't be on the pay roll". As for those that are not vets, I'd rather have 100 patriots behind me than one jerk spitting on me. Not everyone serves in the military but good citizens are important too. Even a vet needs to be a good citizen. 
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