Veterans, Who Do They Think They Are?

News of the Force/E-mail | 1/29/03 | Laurel A. Olmsted

[writer33]

They are the men and women who live every day in pain. Physical pain from their wounds, lost limbs, or maybe it's the shrapnel they still carry. Emotional pain from being separated from their families for long periods of time.

For missing the birth of their child, or death of a parent.

Mental pain for what they have seen and what they had to do.

Pain from knowing that they would have died for you and you are not wise enough to know you should care.

They are the ones who make life-long friends.

They know how precious life is and they never forget the ones who didn't make it back. Never.

That is why you will see Veteran's at the cemetery on Memorial Day walking around and silently thanking the ones who are buried there. They don't have to know them personally to know the sacrifice each one made.

They are the ones who are loud and boisterous. They are the ones who are quiet.

They are the ones who shivered in the foxhole, trying to keep the enemy at bay.

They are the ones who crawled through sand when the temperature was 126 degrees.

They are the ones who carried their buddy to safety.

They are the ones who sometimes drink too much, trying to keep the memories from haunting them.

They are the ones who carry the flag with the honor and respect it deserves.

They are the ones who wear their military uniform with pride and still have it in their closet 30-some years later.

They are the ones who don't ask you to go out of your way for them. They are the ones who have gone out of their way for you.

They are the ones who spent many nights awake on guard duty so you didn't have to.

They are the ones who helped keep our shores safe while you played video games.

They are the ones who missed birthdays, anniversaries, and other important dates.

They are the ones who got shot and got sent home, but felt guilty because their buddies were still there.

They are the ones who followed orders even when they didn't want to.

They are the ones who had enough love and pride in their country to do a job many others couldn't do.

They are the ones who stepped up when the call went out.

They are the ones who ate MRE's till they were sick of them.

They are the ones who cried "Medic" at the top of their lungs though they couldn't even hear their own voice.

They are the ones who cried when they were alone in their tent.

They are the ones who flew planes, drove tanks, worked a ship, and armed the missiles.

They are the ones who had moms at home, praying for them every minute of every day.

They are the ones who made it safe for you so you could go to school or work.

They are the ones who missed ordering pizza, going to the movies, the shopping trips, and all that you take for granted.

They are the ones who asked to take a friend's deployment because that friend had a family.

They are the ones who gave their girlfriends a lock of their hair to keep as a promise of their return.

They are the ones who wanted to come home They are the ones who didn't return.

They are the ones who waited months for a letter.

How can you not wait one day?

God Bless Our Veterans, Laurel A. Olmsted, Wife Of A Veteran, Proud Mother of two Veterans

[writer33]

I like it. I like it alot.

[ex-snook]

Simply great. In WW II we knew that when we defeated the Nazi army, got Hitler, and occupied their country then the war would be over. That was the focus and it was understood that we were there for the 'duration plus six'. The politicians have to tell today's troops what they have to do to end it and come home.

[wwcj]

Thankyou

2ID Warrior Base - 2/503
Screamin' Eagle - 1/502

For God For Country

[StonyBurk]

They are the ones who answered when a brother called MEDIC
The ones who relied upon a God they didn't really know if they could believe in--for the stregnth to keep on going when a push came on-even after many many hours of triage and
surgury-and bad coffee -and stale cigarretts--and soldiers you didn't want to die-but didn't know how to keep alive.

[writer33]

AMEN!

[GrandEagle]

They are the ones who flew planes, drove tanks, worked a ship, and armed the missiles.
1st TFW, 4th TFW, 27th TFW, 33rd TFW 1973-1982
I got out, a friend stayed in in our relatively "safe" job and got shot up in Desert Storm I. He's alive, but not well.
Going to send it to him, just to say "Thanks".

[writer33]

Say hello for me.

1989-1992, HHC 4/35 AR medic. 1996-1999, 1/14 FA, MLRS Crewchief.

Chris

[joesnuffy]

Yep ..
CIB CMB 69-70

[writer33]

Joe Snuffy,

Wasn't that a comic strip?

Chris

[Delta-Tango]

Writer33, in MY book you are Writer #1. You made my day. This is appreciated more than you know.

-- former sergeant, US Air Force
377th Combat Support Group
Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam

[Balata]

NEVER FORGET. All gave some and some gave all.

[mystery-ak]

sending to the 106 AVN, Iraq

[writer33]

That's wonderful. They deserve it.

Chris

[winker]

Please work to provide reinstated Medical benefits for Wives of Veterans who are denied Basic Medical Coverage due to current policy! Thanks for the Post!

[writer33]

Yep. I agree. We need to provide medical coverage for all veterans. And if that means privatizing the Veterans Administration to do it, so be it.

That would create competition and force better health coverage for vets and their wives that need it. I'm speaking of those that can't afford it. Those that needs means testing to qualify.

Chris

[writer33]

Delta-Tango,

That goes out to my Dad as well. Former Vietnam Vet from late 1964-1965, served in Fifth Special Forces, U.S. Army sniper. Landed on Cam Ranh Bay in '64, and it was extremely hostile at the time. They ran into their first booby traps there. Right into a cave entrance.

Chris

[writer33]

That is true. Very true.

Chris

[SAMWolf]

Veteran Bump

[snippy_about_it]

They are the ones WE will never forget.