Don't forget to thank a vet for his or her service tommorow.

[Swede]

They would love it,really.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Actually, being married to one

and having heard this from way too many... no, they would not... welcome them home...

[Swede]

3. My dad servced,my brother,lots of uncles and cousins.

They appreciate people caring.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. There are more ways to care

than just words, just my opinion.

I know tomorrow I will make sure I go see a few vets and make sure they get something warm to eat and will continue to fight so they get what was promised to them.

[DirkGently]

12. This is what I have heard as well. I tried it once, got a blank stare & felt like an idiot.

"Welcome home" feels right. Occupy Orlando will be coordinating with Veterans' Day affairs, so I'm hoping we can show more than tell, too.

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. I know tomorrow when I go down to my occupy

I will be talking to the vets there... and at times all I do is what they need at the moment, LISTEN.

[MineralMan]

69. You are married to one. Just one.

Do not presume to speak for all veterans. You most certainly do not speak for me. You are not qualified to do so. Leave people to say what they wish and react as they wish.

[Obamanaut]

71. +1 There are times when I wish I could rec a post in the middle of a thread. This is

one of those times.

[MineralMan]

72. Thanks. I just get tired of people telling me what veterans want -

all veterans. It reduces veterans to an anonymous group, rather than the individuals they are. Usually, it's someone who is not even a veteran telling us that.

Nobody speaks for all veterans. They are as diverse a group as any group of people. That's because they come from the entire spectrum of Americans. So, anyone who pretends to speak for veterans is only speaking for him or herself.

It's very annoying to this veteran.

[Obamanaut]

70. Actually, being one, I don't mind at all. And I know many retiree and non-retliree

vets who likewise do not mind.

[cherokeeprogressive]

2. Or Hers. n/t

[Swede]

4. Thanks for that,my bad.

I will fix that.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

18. Exactly! Or hers! nt

[DevonRex]

5. I like it. So does my husband. Nt

[earthside]

7. It strikes me now as trite.

Most people I hear say that say it because they think it is expected.

And it is heard now ad infinitum.

Besides, there are plenty of good Americans who were not in the military who also contributed to the freedom of this nation -- when do we thank them for their service?

Additionally, why am I thanking a file clerk in the Navy for their service ... the vast, vast majority of veterans were never in life threatening situations.

Veterans Day should be a day for reflection on the horror of war and the relief that they usual end, i.e., 'Armistice Day '.

Between Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, 9/11 Day and now most other holidays, we get a steady diet of fixation on the military.
Frankly, I'm getting tired of it.

Nothing against individual veterans, but I am for de-emphasizing the influence of the military and war in American culture.

[Swede]

8. Not to the vets ears.

[izquierdista]

13. I'm with you, I'll be celebrating Independence day instead

[ScreamingMeemie]

14. "Most people I hear say that say it because they think it is expected."

And you know this because you have super-magic-mind-reading powers? Or do people tell you this? Gosh us DUers have the most fascinatingly open conversations in real life.

[earthside]

23. You can tell by the way they say it.

For instance I hear some progressive radio talk show hosts say it like, oh, yeah, I'm supposed to say "Thank you for your service" because if I don't the 'Patriotically Correct" police will be rousting me to Gitmo.

When I hear it in regular conversation it increasing has the same tone to it.

If you have some perceptive sense of people, you can tell what emotion is driving their words ... we all do that everyday all the time in figuring out what folks are saying. You don't have to have "super-magic-mind-reading powers" to tell what is going on.

[ScreamingMeemie]

26. Truly, I think some of us are too judgemental.

But to each his own. I will never surmise a stranger's intent when they thank a vet for their service. :shrug:

[cherokeeprogressive]

27. "why am I thanking a file clerk in the Navy for their service..." What bullshit.

Two of the men who died on the USS Cole when it was bombed in Yemen had the job classification "Mess Management Specialist". They were COOKS. Would you thank them for their service if you had the chance?

I don't know any Veterans personally who make a distinction like that. I was never in what YOU might consider a "life threatening situation" (I'm guessing carrying a rifle in combat is your definition?). I did, however, work on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier and was once blown off the deck into a safety net by jet blast. At night. You bet your ass I felt like MY life was threatened in those 5 or 6 seconds it took to slide to the edge of the deck and over the scupper. Had I gone all the way to the water 65 feet below, I would probably have been killed.

We had a saying between us... "We all wear the same color boots." To us that meant we were all on the same team, working toward the same goal.

[Swede]

40. My dad was a signalman in WW II. His truck was strafed

and hit by artillery shrapnel,and he was miles from the front. Soldiers die in training,in vehicle accidents,freeze to death. Get dysentery or any number of fatal diseases.

[cherokeeprogressive]

41. Exactly.

Here's a list of Naval ships sunk during WWII. Do you think there were any File Clerks on any of them?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Navy_losses_in_World_War_II

[ScreamingMeemie]

42. Because you promised to do something not many of us could bring

ourselves to do...lay down your life for your country. No matter where you served, or what your title, you were willing. As stated, not to many of us our. :toast: I'm glad you didn't fall into that water.

[era veteran]

68. Killed at the Pentagon 9/11

55 members of the military, some were 'file clerks' or clerk/typists or whatever MOS the Service gave them. All members of the Army are considered infantrymen if needed.
You should visit Section 64 at Arlington
I think that was an uncalled for comment. You should apologize for its fucking lack of sensitivity .
"Frankly, I'm getting tired of it." Callous and ignorant, shame should be with you today.

[Obamanaut]

73. One might be surprised at the life threatening situations veterans may have

been exposed to.

The Navy file clerk, for example. Have you ever seen a shipboard fire at sea? You are aware that there is no place to go hide, aren't you. One either puts out the fire, or your home (the ship) burns and maybe sinks.

[SoDesuKa]

9. No, I'd Rather Have the Free Car

Nobody's talking about giving veterans a free car but I'd like to move the conversation in that direction. I don't want crumbs of gratitude; give me something I can use. But if the country won't spring for a car, how 'bout an apology?

[beam me up scottie]

10. LOL!

:rofl:

[cliffordu]

55. BRAVO!!!!!

I'M WITH YOU!!!!

[beam me up scottie]

11. I thank them whenever I see one.

Active duty peeps too.

Thanks for posting this.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

16. I agree. I love vets. Let's remember that regardless of what we feel about war issues...

VETS are not the enemy. AT ALL. Let's remember that.

Go after the correct people to correct issues.

Vets are simply people who serve us, and if we pick the right people, we'll be happy. Let's pick better leaders.

Meanwhile, our vets have been neglected and ignored. I think tomorrow would be a good day to think of ways to get vets better health care, better care, in general, and lots of appreciation.

[cliffordu]

17. FREE dinners at Applebees -

My girlfriend ( ALSO a vet) and I are going.

Good times.

Although sleeping with someone with a DD214 was REALLY odd at first.

:rofl:

[SoDesuKa]

20. I Slept With 40 Guys At a Time

We had our own bunks. Lots of snoring!

[cliffordu]

22. Well.....

:rofl:

you know what I meant. Dammit.

[Luminous Animal]

19. Hell no. I won't.

I understand the socio-economic issues, I comprehend the rah-rah patriotic issues. But I do not think that anyone who enlists to kill for the 1% deserves my thanks. We are so brainwashed authoritarians than each and any veteran is a HERO, each and every cop is a HERO, each and every firefighter is a HERO. And yet few actually engage in heroic actions.


I've got an entirely different criteria of heroism. Those being humans dedicated to keeping other humans adequately sustained with clothing, housing, health care, and food.

[HERVEPA]

21. Well said, thogh I wouldn't include the firefighters

[Cid_B]

24. Bet you are a hoot at parties...

Just sayin...

[Luminous Animal]

31. I've been to cop parties and the cops are some of the most racist misogynist

human beings I've ever met. I've a family full of veterans and if you asked any one of them if they consider themselves a hero, they would tell you to fuck off.

[ScreamingMeemie]

36. We've been to a couple of cop parties too...and, while we didn't see

racism and misogynistic behaviors we did see (unfortunately) more than a few that liked to get nekkid and jump in the hot tub. We never stuck around very long though.

[Behind the Aegis]

46. And these parties were where?

(running to get pad and pencil)


(been thinking of you)

[ScreamingMeemie]

47. New Baltimore, MI!

Miss you! :loveya:

[Behind the Aegis]

50. Well, the hell to that! Too damn cold! Shrinkage and all.

:hugs:

Hey, I got to meet my biological cousin for the first time yesterday! It was neat!

[ScreamingMeemie]

51. That is excellent!

Are you still in OK? I got to see Stephen not too long ago when he was in Houston on work stuff.

[Behind the Aegis]

56. Still in OK.

Colder than a well-digger's ass! I have no idea what the fuck I am going to do when it snows! I hate snow.

[ScreamingMeemie]

59. You're going to come visit MrsGrumpy!

That's what you're going to do!

[Behind the Aegis]

61. LOL! That could be fun.

Once money starts to stabilize. I have to send you pics of our new baby, Zatanna, and the others in their Halloween costumes! Cuteness.

[ScreamingMeemie]

62. Yes you do! My Jessie's getting up there in years and I worry about her.

[Cid_B]

66. I think I saw your video...

http://youtu.be/Yd-nnmvr7Dc

Seriously though, you sound like a real debbie downer.

[cliffordu]

25. You have it soooooo wrong, I can't even

get it up to tell you to fuck the fuck right off.

I would have LOVED to have you in basic training with me.

[Bonobo]

30. He wouldn't have BEEN in basic training with you.

Because, like he said so well, he doesn't see that strapping on weapons and invading a foreign country is a real positive service for the US or for humanity with the way the country is now.

Still I admire your internet tough guy talk. It's always good for a laugh because you could be talking to someone that could bury you in a fight and you will never know.

[Ter]

35. Luminous Animal is female

Not that there aren't females who could defeat cliffordu, but it's remote that she just so happens to be a professional fighter.

[Luminous Animal]

38. Yeah. But I could beat Clifford with half my brain tied behind my back.

[Ter]

39. Well, I hope it doesn't come down to that

:)

[cliffordu]

43. And yet you fail on SOOO many levels.

[cliffordu]

45. ANYONE could bury me in a fight.

but that's not what I said.......

[Luminous Animal]

32. And what would you do to me in basic training? Spell it out.

[cliffordu]

44. Watch the other people in basic run you ragged.

peeps like you get extra attention.

not by me. I finished mid pack.

You??

Not so much.

[Luminous Animal]

49. I'm sure that you'd give you enormous satisfaction to see 54 year old woman run ragged.

Boo ya! Heee - ro!

[cliffordu]

53. Now the victim card comes out.

Gender card, too, Y'all...

What was that about tying your brain behind your back??

[Luminous Animal]

57. Only facts dude. You wanted to run me ragged. I'm just giving the reality

of who you want to run ragged. I'm struggling with cancer, too and I'm pretty much a skeleton. You want to mock that, too?

[cliffordu]

60. No. My question NOW is why would you take a crap on people

like me when you are so sick??


I would think you'd have better things to do with your skeleton self.

Maybe not. Maybe you're just jacking off.

[bvar22]

74. She may be physically sick,

but mentally, she is sharp as a Cactus Spine.
:patriot:

[earthside]

28. "Universal Soldier"

http://youtu.be/UC9pc4U40sI

[Luminous Animal]

37. Thank you for that.

[The Straight Story]

52. "Those being humans dedicated to keeping other humans adequately sustained with clothing, housing,"

Our vets helped out in Haiti (my video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4ViB3VXy0c) and elsewhere to help those in need with housing, clothing, food, etc - guess the only press you watch shows them at war (try not to be brainwashed by the press - a lot of young men and women are busting their asses giving aid to others, you won't hear about it, but if you actually go looking and reading you will find it)

[mwrguy]

58. Amen

Time to stop worshiping the military.

[Major Hogwash]

29. Visit your local veterans home, if you are able to.

A lot of the men and women who served in the past have been shuttered in those vets homes with no family members or relatives close enough to visit them.

At ease . . it's just a suggestion, not an order.
Smoke 'em if ya got 'em.

[itsrobert]

33. Actually, I am uncomfortable with it

Many people serve their country in public service (teacher,police, fire, etc). I got paid good money. I am getting retirement pay in my 40's. My healthcare premium for my family is $460 a year.

However, the best way people can thank us is hiring us.

[Cerridwen]

34. ...and their families and their communities. n/t

[Behind the Aegis]

48. +1

[canetoad]

54. Just as you should thank

a teacher, a nurse, a doctor, an engineer for their service.

Hell, this could turn into a thank-fest just for doing your job.

[ScreamingMeemie]

63. Lest we forget...many of our veterans were not veterans by choice.

The draft made them so. They weren't just doing their job. They were forced into service. I think it's okay to have a day to appreciate them without crapping all over them.

[cliffordu]

64. Yep. What you said.

I wonder what would happen if they instituted the draft again.....

[SoDesuKa]

65. I'd Rather Have the Ten Bucks

Given a choice between ten bucks and an array of happy faces expressing gratitude for my military service, I'll take the ten bucks. In fact I'll take five. I know bunches of veterans who would go for the same deal. We know that civilians don't really give a shit about veterans; if they did, there'd be an inquiry into why so many veterans are committing suicide.

I asked around among guys I served with, what has kept them putting one foot in front of the other all these years. My small sample answered, attitude. And they don't mean a good attitude either. What they actually mean is a nasty, get-out-of-my-face attitude. I posted the findings of my "survey" here in GD, and every veteran who responded said "Fuckin'-A" or words to that effect.

If you don't want to part with ten bucks, how 'bout an apology? After all these years it wouldn't hurt that somebody was thoughtful enough to look at Veterans Day from a veteran's perspective. Force yourself to make the effort. Eighteen veterans a day are deciding they're better off dead, and that doesn't include the druggies and drunks.



Ten Bucks is Ten Bucks!

[TransitJohn]

67. Nope. I don't like the military fetish our country has.

We were envisioned originally by the Framers to not have a standing military. That's why they gave us the 2nd Amendment.