The FReeper Foxhole Honors our Veterans - November 11th, 2005

Department of Veterans Affairs and The Foxhole

[snippy_about_it]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.


...................................................................................... ...........................................

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

Our Mission:

The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.

The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer.

If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions.

We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.

To read previous Foxhole threads or
to add the Foxhole to your sidebar,
click on the books below.

Veterans Day



To our veterans - Thank You


Veterans Day

A day set aside to honor our country's living veterans. At the Foxhole honoring veterans is a major part of our mission.

Whereas we will not forget those who died or our POW/MIAs, and those who are currently serving, today we specifically honor those men and women living among us who have served our country in times past, our living veterans.

Especially here at the Foxhole we are blessed to have veterans as part of our Foxhole family both as readers and contributors.


We would like to welcome all our veterans to the Foxhole on this very special day as we attempt to honor you and thank you for your service to our country. Freedom is not free and our debt to you and those gone before you can never fully be paid. May God richly bless you all. Welcome home and we will never forget.

It matters not where, when or how your served; here at home or in a foreign land, in the air, at sea or on land; in peacetime or in war, on the battefield or behind a desk; on supply lines; as an engineer, a mechanic, an infantrymen, a cook or medic. You chose to volunteer or fullfilled your duty by the draft and served America and we are forever grateful. Every job is important as they all support each other and the cause of freedom.

Some sacrifices are greater, yes, and some service more dangerous than others, yet all service is sacrifice by the troop and their family and we highly respect that service. Some gave all, all gave some.

Thank you all - from SAM and snippy




"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." --Thomas Paine, Founding Father



"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their Nation."
--George Washington


"Let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain."
--Dwight D. Eisenhower




Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.

--- Department of Veterans Affairs

---

FReeper Foxhole Armed Services Links

[snippy_about_it]

..............



Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.

While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime.

In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.

While Veterans Day is typically a tribute to America's living veterans, it is always appropriate to include a moment of respect for those who gave their lives for their country.

The signing of the World War I Armistice took place in a railway coach near the battle zone in France. The bugles sounded "cease firing" and the hostilities ended, marking a most significant moment in world history.

Although 11 a.m. remains a traditional hour for this type of tribute, a moment of silence is appropriate at any time and may be followed by an instrumental or vocal rendition of "Taps."



Like other things of great value, the security this country enjoys did not come cheaply. Part of the cost has already been paid by Americans who answered the call to military duty when their country needed them. They served in 11 wars from the Revolution to the Persian Gulf, earning the special distinction "veteran."

But another part of freedom's cost must continue to be paid long after the guns have been silenced. This debt is owed America's veterans.



”In each of America's struggles, heroes in uniform emerged to inspire and spur us on to victory. Our veterans'steadfast resolve to stand and fight for the American way of life is a constant reminder that the righteousness of our destiny overarches the anguish of our losses.

America's servicemen and women, who became our Nation's veterans when they set their uniforms aside and resumed their civilian lives, distinguished themselves through their willingness to risk life and limb in defense of the freedoms we all cherish.

I am honored and privileged to lead the Cabinet Department that was charged by Abraham Lincoln to redeem our Nation's debt to liberty's defenders.

Those who have served our Nation in uniform are the best people our society has to offer. We owe them our full support, and our sincerest thanks.

America's veterans did not shrink from battle; they did not yield to fear; they did not abandon their cause. All too often they paid the ultimate price.

By their example of courage under fire, they raised up a new nation, inspired by the dignity of the common man -- a nation blessed with heroes and heroes' dreams. That is leadership of the highest quality. That is America's leadership legacy.”

Excerpt from VA Secretary Principi's speech on July 2, 2003 at the National Young Leaders conference in Washington, DC.



We welcome your well wishes to our veterans and please share any pictures or stories you might have of your own service or a friend or family member. If you'd like to post a picture and have no server just send me a freep mail and we can post it for you.



Thank you all and enjoy your Veterans Day!

[snippy_about_it]

America's Living Veterans

WWI
Living Veterans Less than 200
Total That Served 4,734,991

WWII
Living Veterans 3,526,000
Total That Served 16,112,566

Korean War
Living Veterans 3,257,000
Total That Served 5,720,000

Vietnam War
Living Veterans 8,055,000
Total That Served 9,200,000

Desert Shield/Desert Storm
Living Veterans 1,900,000
Total That Served 2,322,332

War on Terrorism*
Veterans** 194,700
Total That Served 1,428,383

Total Living Veterans - 24,737,500


*Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom
**Service members who have left the military
***As of 8/16/05

[snippy_about_it]

I received this list from my dear friend bkwells last night and thought it would be perfect to post here today. We love all you guys and gals.

In honor of our living veterans and their wonderful American sense of humor.

---Military Operational Readiness---Rules Of Engagement(ROE)----

US Marine Corps ROE:

1. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.

2. Decide to be aggressive enough, quickly enough.

3. Have a plan.

4. Have a back-up plan, because the first one probably won't work.

5. Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

6. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun whose caliber does not start with a "4."

7. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.

8. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral & diagonal preferred.)

9. Use cover or concealment as much as possible.

10. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.

11. Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.

12. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived.

13. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating your intention to shoot.

US Army ROE:

1. Select a new beret to wear.

2. Sew patches on right shoulder.

3. Change the color of beret you decide to wear.

US Army Rangers ROE:

1. Walk in 50 miles wearing 75 pound rucksack while starving.

2. Locate individuals requiring killing.

3. Request permission via radio from "Higher" to perform killing.

4. Curse bitterly when mission is aborted.

5. Walk out 50 miles wearing a 75 pound rucksack while starving.

US Navy ROE:

1. Drink Coffee.

2. Go to Sea.

3. Drink Coffee.

4. Brief Strike Aircraft.

5. Drink Coffee

6. Watch movie.

7. Make a new pot of Coffee...

8. Launch Missiles.

9. Drink Coffee.

10.Deploy the Marines.

11 Drink Coffee.

Navy SEALS ROE:

1. Look very cool in Gargoyle sunglasses.

2. Kill every living thing within view.

3. Adjust speedo.

4. Check hair in mirror.

US Air Force ROE:

1. Have a cocktail.

2. Adjust temperature on air-conditioner.

3. See what's on HBO.

4. Ask "what is a gunfight?"

5. Request more funding from Congress with a "killer" Power Point presentation.

6. Wine & dine 'key' Congressmen, invite DOD & defense industry executives.

7. Receive funding, set up new command and assemble assets.

8. Declare the assets "strategic" and never deploy them operationally.

9. Hurry to make 1045 tee-time.

[snippy_about_it]

To The FReeper Foxhole

It's Veterans Day. Good Morning Everyone.

If you want to be added to our occasional ping list, let us know.

[HiJinx]

As Tiny Tim said, God Bless us every one...

To all vets who visit the Foxhole today, my undying gratitude to you for your service. We are better today for that.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Ms. Snips! Wonderful thread. I peak over here at you and Sam and the rest of the kids here- all the time. Happy Veterans day to the entire foxhole crew. I will be in remembrance of our veterans all day today, and my children and I have a few things we plan to do to honor this day for our heroes. Thank you for the ping and for honoring our veterans everyday- the way you all here do.

[Neil E. Wright]

Hiya Snippy .... enjoy Veteran's Day ... and THANKS for all you do on these threads!

To all Veterans: THANK YOU for your service! Enjoy the day!

±

"The Era of Osama lasted about an hour, from the time the first plane hit the tower to the moment the General Militia of Flight 93 reported for duty."
Toward FREEDOM

This is my Military/Veteran's Affairs ping list. FReep mail me if you want ON/OFF the list.

[Peanut Gallery]

OH that is so true about... drinking lots of coffee in the Navy! And when you're out of coffee, Mountain Dew will suffice until someone can get more coffee.

[JulieRNR21]

Please come to this thread and sign the Petition to Oppose the Red Crescent in the proposed design for the Flight 93 Memorial:


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1516992/posts

Then please ping you lists to the thread.

[snippy_about_it]

Thank you for your service jinxy.

[snippy_about_it]

Thanks Betsy.

[snippy_about_it]

Thank you for your kind words and thank you for your service to our country.

[snippy_about_it]

I hear tell the Navy has the best coffee around.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[U S Army EOD]

Thanks for the thread.












BOO!!

[Diver Dave]

Salute to my brothers and sisters.

Fresh coffee is being served in the forward mess. We'll be getting underway as soon as the divers chip away the coffee grounds from the screws and rudders. :)

Thanks for the Veteran's Day Tribute.

[tarawa]

didn't have any Mountain Dew with me, but I do remember selling cokes and ginger ales for about 2 bucks a piece to the Marines heading back out to the ship with me on an LCU.... Marines will buy just about anything at any price after they've been out all night drinking ;-)

[RasterMaster]

[Iris7]

At least thirty - forty years ago Navy coffee was poor but plentiful. Sleep was sparse. Seven day work weeks.

When every warm flat square foot is covered with sleeping men (can't put the "racks" down until after 4 PM) during lunch you are seeing the real Navy. When lunch is skipped to take a nap. The meals are gigantic because they are often missed.

Yesterday's Navy was wooden ships and iron men. How about today? Still Iron Men? You bet.

[Iris7]

The Air Force seems to have been working eight hour days. Imagine.

Hands down the Army had the worst food and the best card players. Never had Air Force chow. The Navy mess on Guam was fantastic. Marines drank too much, unlike swabs who all can hold their likker (grin).

Speaking of Marines, a couple of old ones were selling poppies a few years back. I stopped a minute to BS. Wife was present, the Marines were gentlemen (believe it or not most Marines are gentlemen) and we talked a little of the old talk, but without "colorful" language as there was a lady present.

I fed them the old line "the Marines are part of the Navy". (True, of course.) The reply? "Yeah, the men's part."

How can you not like such great guys?