I would like to honor those who not only served the States but their own motherlands including my own grandfather who was a WWII veteran.
Veterans Day
- Thread starter jvnshr
- Start date
SmokingPipes.com Updates
Watch for Updates Twice a Week
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
- Status
It's good that we reserve a day to recognize those who put their personal lives on hold to serve and protect our country. :clap:
Don't forget to fly the flag if that's your tradition. Get it displayed early, but not before dawn. Take it down at sunset, and remember that's earlier now after daylight savings ended some places. I honor my dad, a minesweeper skipper in the Pacific for the USN in World War II, and his brother/my uncle who was a landing craft officer at Tarawa in the first major amphibious battle for the U.S. Also my Uncle Roger who was an engineer in the Army during that war. I was an enlisted radioman on a minesweeper (MSO 489) off the DMZ in Vietnam. My flag flown off the porch is a smaller ship's flag with sewn stripes and stars. My late wife's dad was an Army courier between combat command posts before and during the Battle of the Bulge. My wife's dad was an infantry cook in the trenches during World War I (he was an older dad). He suffered health effects from mustard gas his entire life but did live into his sixties despite that.
I saluted my son first thing this morning and enjoyed his return salute. He is 100% disabled due to the Iraq war. My lady and I are full time caregivers for him. I am thankful to have him with us, many families don't have their loved ones. I served during the Vietnam era (ended up in Korea of all things) so we are both Army Vets.
My salute and thanks to all the vets come and gone, and thanks to those of you who recognize the veterans. :clap:
My salute and thanks to all the vets come and gone, and thanks to those of you who recognize the veterans. :clap:
nevada', special regards to your son for his continuing valor, and to you and your wife as well. Seen this way, caretaking is religious practice of the highest order. Beyond creed or calling.
I went to my local grocery store chain (Harris Teeter) and knew from a friend to ask for the veteran's discount and saved $9.52. I think most of that was for my usual loyalty card discount, but some of it was just for Vets Day. The check-out woman said her great uncle was also a Vietnam vet, and I asked her to send him my best wishes, after asking if he is still "with us," which he is.
The flag is flying on my porch in a
breeze on a crisp fall day. Must remember to retire the colors at dusk. Happy Veterans Day to all Forums vets and those with kindred vets. In my family list I regret I omitted my Aunt May who was an Army nurse in the Philippines, such that my dad, a skipper on a minesweeper, was able to go visit her when they were both in P.I. off duty.
I went to my local grocery store chain (Harris Teeter) and knew from a friend to ask for the veteran's discount and saved $9.52. I think most of that was for my usual loyalty card discount, but some of it was just for Vets Day. The check-out woman said her great uncle was also a Vietnam vet, and I asked her to send him my best wishes, after asking if he is still "with us," which he is.
The flag is flying on my porch in a
breeze on a crisp fall day. Must remember to retire the colors at dusk. Happy Veterans Day to all Forums vets and those with kindred vets. In my family list I regret I omitted my Aunt May who was an Army nurse in the Philippines, such that my dad, a skipper on a minesweeper, was able to go visit her when they were both in P.I. off duty.
A special thanks to all the Vets on the forum.
My mother found this picture of me, my brother and father. This was the day he went to Vietnam in '68.
He's in a nursing/hospice unit now (98 years old) and this will be his last Veterans Day. Old soldiers go out hard.
My mother found this picture of me, my brother and father. This was the day he went to Vietnam in '68.
He's in a nursing/hospice unit now (98 years old) and this will be his last Veterans Day. Old soldiers go out hard.
ssjones, I'm sorry to hear your dad is in hospice, but glad he has led such a long life, made so worthwhile by his sons and military service, and I'm sure much else. What stories you have to treasure. Ninety-eight years sounds like a full life indeed, unless you are ninety eight; then a few more surely sound good.
Al, words escape me about your Fathet, what a legacy, American to the core, there's a special place for him in the Army of Angels :clap:
I didn't mean to bring everybody down! He's definitely ready to meet his maker. He isn't suffering, but just has no quality of life. He was a good soldier, husband and Dad, but we're ready to let him go to the next life.
My daughter posted this on Facebook yesterday, from 2016, he was in better shape, also in Vietnam, right after WWII ended.
My salute to your dad Al. Mine went home in '94. My dad was a machinist's mate on a minesweeper in WWII. Can't wait for the reunion.
Hey nevada, another minesweeper sailor. The saying was, ships of wood, men of steel. Our lives depended on machinist mates. If you didn't have forward motion (good running engines) all you had was a sea anchor (device to keep the bow into the seas) and prayer. Those engines drummed away months and months on end, so when you got to a port where you actually turned them off finally, the silence was deafening. You slept to that music. You felt like you could count the cylinders. My sweep had four Packard (yes, the motor car company) aluminum diesels. That was heavy work in hot conditions, but those guys played those machines like violins, if you will.
- Status