Thank you to our Veterans

[VitaBene]

Thank you to those of you who served in defense of this great country. A special thanks to those families who lost loved ones serving the same cause.

You will always be forever in my mind.

[Water Camper]

Lawrence E. Blodgett killed in action in WWII on Feb. 5, 1944 in Italy.

My grandmother put a memorial poem to her son in the Concord Monitor every year after his death, from 1945 to 1973. I am fortunate to have copied these out of her scrapbook. Below is one of those. Let us remember all who have so bravely served our country.

You are not forgotten Lawrence,
Nor will you ever be,
As long as life and memory last,
We shall remember thee.

Sue

[BaileyBecca]

Semper Fi !

[Lakesrider]

For my Dad. RIP (WWII, Korea, Two tours of Vietnam.)
Semper Fidelis.

I did not write this, just wish I had:

My name is Derrick Wilburn. I live in Colorado, USA and I would consider myself a typical "John Q. Citizen." I have three wonderful children and I was there for all of their births, there for first teeth coming in, there to see first steps taken, there to help teach them how to tie shoe laces and throw a baseball, there for graduation ceremonies from the kindergarten. I've taken them to YMCA league basketball practice, and soccer, and dance, and whatever else they've been into. I took the training wheels off of all of their bikes and ran beside them on those wobbly first attempts at two-wheeling it.
Though I've missed a few, I've been there to watch their games. Been there to blow runny noses, help them figure out how two minus three can result in a number that's less actually than zero. Made them peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when they were hungry. Gone hiking in the summer, sledding in winter.
With the exception of nights that I've slept in a comfortable hotel room, I sleep in a king-sized bed with the one I love every night for the past nineteen years. I eat hot meals when I desire. I've never really volunteered to lay my life on the line for anyone, let alone perfect strangers. I've never pulled a sixteen-hour patrol shift, never climbed to the top of some sand hill in 115 degree heat wearing Kevlar body armor, a 65-pound backpack and carrying a 15-pound machine gun. I've never slept in a hole in the ground that I'd dug just hours before, or in the crawl-space beneath a Humvee while sucking diesel fumes or trying to block out the thunder from passing birds of war.
When I'm hot, I turn up the a/c; when cold, turn up the heat; when hungry, go to a well-stocked kitchen just a few feet away. I don't live with my head on a swivel. I haven't lost dozens of close friend, co-workers, brethren-in-arms and had to deal with the grief of losing them while knowing it was just inches away from being me.
Veterans have lived in a world I cannot imagine. I have no commanding officer nor anyone else yelling in my ear and demanding precision. They missed births, birthdays, tucking in and all the rest by accepting a job that sends them half a globe away from the ones they love for months sometimes years at a time. They do it for all-too-little pay, often times serving as political ping pong balls as citizens and elected representatives alike bicker and posture. And they do it all because they've sworn an oath to defend this, the greatest land on earth, from any and all who threaten her.
Thank you, from a grateful father and husband, America's veterans. You are the best this nation has. Extraordinary human beings in every aspect of the term. I sleep better at night knowing you are on that wall.

[Just Sold]

Thanks to every man and women who have served or are now serving in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines or Navy. With a special remembrance and thanks to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. JS USN

[sum-r breeze]

If you love your feedom, thank a veteran today and keep them in your prayers every day. They are the best of the best and do it every day for all of us. God Bless

The Breeze
Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back

[Water Camper]

I came across a copy of the attached letter, written to my grandmother, from Uncle Lawrence's Commanding Officer, dated Sept. 3, 1944 and thought I would share it. Every time I read it, I understand what a profound loss it was for her.
Sue

[Lakewinn1]

Thanks for ALL who served and sacrificed to make our country safe!

[TheProfessor]

Today is a day to honor all veterans.
Honoring veterans is more then just the phrase "Thank you for your service".
Honoring veterans is a commitment. Honoring veterans is a mindset.
Some veterans integrate back into society smoothly.
Other veterans suffer from physical and emotional injuries.
Some veterans have obvious disabilities. A missing limb or scars.
While other veterans suffer from traumatic brain injuries or Post Traumatic Stress.
Whether physical or emotional or both - all veterans should be respected and honored.
If a veteran is ill, injured, or homeless, it is our duty as citizens to attempt to make them whole again.
Honoring veterans is not just one day nor just a phrase.
Honoring veterans is a lifetime commitment.
Thank you to all veterans. I do appreciate all that you have done.
I sincerely appreciate the freedoms that I have. And I thank you for these freedoms.

[MAXUM]

You're very welcome, but even as a vet who served in two war zones and saw more than I'd ever have liked to... today I find myself indebted to those who had the fortitude to pick up a rifle and stare the enemy in the face putting their own life at risk to defend the freedoms we so enjoy today. Some never made it back, others did but with life altering injuries both physical and mental sadly for some both. These men and women and their families who suffer along with them are truly heroes and deserve our sincerest gratitude. Many have sacrificed to keep this country safe, the least we can do as a society is to honor them in living our lives in a way that honors their service to us all.

[jack1706]

Such a great day to say thank you to our Veterans!

Thanks...today was my Dad's favorite day of the year...WWII vet!

Thank you...