Happy Veterans Day

[Bobkatz]

Happy Veterans Day To All fellow Vets!
Also remember those who gave all!

 

[Goose]

Thanks much!

I was on active duty in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, but the Corps saw fit to have me involved in matters elsewhere. I've always felt like I missed out on something, kinda like if all of your friends went barhopping and you stayed home and watched TV.

Does that sound strange?

 

[Mike Groom]

I was a jet mechanic,1966-1970,worked on fighters and attack aircraft,never aboard a ship,I always felt like I missed something too,but Uncle Sam put us where he wanted us and didn't ask for our opinion.

 

[Stan in Oly, WA]

I joined the army in 1968 when my student deferment ran out, and was trained in armor in 1969. All my fellow trainees went to Viet Nam except for a handful of us who were selected for additional training using the Redeye missile. The Redeye was largely worthless against contemporary fixed wing aircraft, but would have been quite effective in the hands of the NVA and VC against our helicopters. I was astonished that the military geniuses who ran that fiasco figured out that a weapon to use against equipment the enemy did not possess, but which would be quite useful by them against us, did not belong in that theater. (They were known to get their hands on quite a bit of the weaponry we took there.) I got sent to Korea which was, as it turned out, a nice place to be. I briefly considered putting in a 1049 Request for Transfer for Viet Nam, for the reasons others have already stated about wondering what combat was like, and I also considered going for a six months' early out by applying for the Washington D.C. police force. All things considered, I can't say I'm sorry for not following through on either of those impulses.

Stan

 

[Stan in Oly, WA]

I joined the army in 1968 when my student deferment ran out, and was trained in armor in 1969. All my fellow trainees went to Viet Nam except for a handful of us who were selected for additional training using the Redeye missile. The Redeye was largely worthless against contemporary fixed wing aircraft, but would have been quite effective in the hands of the NVA and VC against our helicopters. I was astonished that the military geniuses who ran that fiasco figured out that a weapon for use against equipment the enemy did not possess, but which would be quite useful by them against us, did not belong in that theater. (They were known to get their hands on quite a bit of the weaponry we took there.) I got sent to Korea which was, as it turned out, a nice place to be. I briefly considered putting in a 1049 Request for Transfer for Viet Nam, for the reasons others have already stated about wondering what combat was like, and I also considered going for a six months' early out by applying for the Washington D.C. police force. All things considered, I can't say I'm sorry for not following through on either of those impulses.

Stan

 

[old]

Navy 74-80. Son was also in the navy. We both went to the local high school where they do a program for the Vets every veterans day. I have 2 nephews there so they get extra credit for us being there

 

[Wile E]

Veterans day is to commemorate the ending of WW1.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month all fighting was to cease on the Western front. IMO-----The worst war. The trench warfare was beyond comprehension.

Many thanks to all that served.

 

[Stan in Oly, WA]

I don't think I've ever double posted before. When I tried to post the first time, nothing happened. I copied what I'd written and pasted it into a notepad, then logged off completely. When I came back to Tool Talk, my message still hadn't posted, so I tried again. Again no luck. Hours later I checked the site again, and there was my message---twice. I'm surprised I don't double post regularly the way my fingers seem to twitch the last few years. I'm always clicking stuff with my mouse when I don't mean to. A few years ago at a pistol range, I double tapped a target with my Browning High-Power when I only meant to fire one shot. That startled me and made me not trust my own hands. Now my carry guns are a Glock 26 or a S&W 640, neither of which is subject to accidental discharge. I also keep my finger off the trigger unless I intend to pull it.

Stan

 

[JMS/.MN]

Our Legion sponsors a gathering at the local nursing home for Veteran residents- about a dozen this year. Music, food, etc., and a history of each one"s service. We tell them of ours as well. I got to tell them of our dau and SIL....5th and 6th paratroopers in our family. All trained on the same towers at Ft. Benning, GA, between 1961 and 2010. Very fun afternoon.

Our high school music director started a Veterans Day program about 15 years ago.......for those of us from the Viet Nam era, as well as Korea, I always considered it the first "Thank You" I ever received, albeit 30 years late. Auditorium was packed tonite, 4-500 people, and the local Supt. asked us to turn and face the audience. They all started applauding......then a standing ovation from the entire crowd. AWESOME!!! People in these little towns across this great Country are glad to show respect for service!

 

[Dusty MI]

I've never felt that I qualified as a veteran. In 1960, just before I graduated from High School, I signed up with the Michigan National Guard for 4 years, which included 6 months of active duty.
Dairy farming and NG do not work well together.
I hold a couple of Skilled Trades licenses, and the State has started waiving the annual fee for them to veterans. Maybe I should see if I can find my discharge papers.

 

[Mike (WA)]

Same here, Dusty- I signed up with Washington Army National Guard in '69, so I wouldn't get drafted. By then, it was 6 years, and I did 'em all. It qualified as an approved way to serve, so not exactly "draft-dodging", at least not like going to Canada. But some of the Regular Army guys of that era didn't draw much of a distinction!

Fast forward to 1995, the first time I was ever laid off from a job. Went to the employment office, they asked about military, I told them I wasn't exactly a vet, but did 6 in the Guard. They informed me that I was, indeed, a "Vietnam Era" veteran, in every sense of the word. So I stand up when they ask who in the audience is a veteran (every show in Branson, for instance), but I don't go to veteran's functions or meetings (and didn't put myself on the list on this board). Still that old stigma, in my mind.

 

[Stan in Oly, WA]

Look online for a list of businesses that give discounts to all veterans. Lowe's does, for instance. I've gotten a 10% discount the last three times I shopped there. You just need to provide proof of service. I'm only sorry I didn't know about it years earlier.

Stan

 

[El Toro]

I went through those towers in 1953 and ended up at Ft Bragg with the 82nd Airborne. When I discharged I was given my old job back as a returning vet. I had to resign when I was drafted. Hal