Veteran's Day

Tomorrow's Veteran's Day, and as I do each year, I just spent a few minutes getting ready for it by researching the ship my dad served on. Not because there's going to be a test or anything; just because I think I need to know and remember.

My dad skipped his h.s. graduation and entered the Navy in the summer of '44; he shipped out to the Pacific on the USS Savo Island, a "flat top" (converted) aircraft carrier. His first look at war would've been the Battle of Peleliu, a bitter, months-long horror that had the highest casualty rate of any battle of the Pacific war. His carrier group was also the first to encounter kamikazes.

He was 6 months older than my son is now.

It's easy to take our veterans for granted; as my dad always said, he just did what he had to do. But for at least a couple moments tomorrow, give your full attention to thoughts of what they were willing to sacrifice for us. And give thanks.

Margie

I always do, Margie, but thank you for the reminder and the interesting details on your dad's service.

My own father served in the Air Force during Korea. Although he was stateside, he was in the guided missle program at Canaveral. He operated and taught radar, and helped develop some of the early launch tracking devices.

Heartfelt thanks to all veterans out there.

I come from a long line of veterans (myself included) although we all managed to be between wars. I always thank any veteran for their service and sacrifice for their country. Without them we would not be the freedom loving country we are today.

Yes, thanks to the veterans. My father is an Air Force vet who served in SE Asia 1/64-11/67 and I carry as my middle name the name of his brother, a Marine who was KIA in Vietnam 27 March 1967.

My grandfather served in Korea. Apparently he carried a Thompson. He said it was because it took skill and a keen mind to operate it correctly. My Grandma says its because he was blind as a bat and couldnt hit a barn with a rifle if he was inside it. I never knew him very well because he died when I was less than 2 years old. I know of him though because my family is very proud of his service and likes to tell his stories for him.

My wife has 2 cousins who served multiple tours in The recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are both back stateside now, one in Alaska and one in Oklahoma. They both should have received thank you cards yesterday or today.

When Im out and about and I see a soldier in uniform, I take a moment to stop what I am doing, shake their hand, and let them know how much we appreciate their sacrifices.

My Dad was in the Marines during Korea. Happy birthday to the Marines, btw!

He was part of an air crew servicing carrier-based fighters, so he didn't see live combat. He was stationed on the USS Antietam (CV-36) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Antietam_(CV-36) and the USS Bennington (CV-20) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Bennington_(CV-20)

Dear old Dad turned 80 just yesterday. I'm really looking forward to seeing him over the holiday!

And a heartfelt thanks goes to ALL those who have served, those who serve now and those who will serve in the future. We are forever in your debt.

My grandfather landed early on on the D-Day beaches. His tank was tasked with clearing mines apparently. He made it through that only to be wounded later on in Holland and flown back to the UK. My mother still has the momentos given to him - small hand made dolls etc - as they liberated parts of Europe. His war injuries caused a stroke later in life but he still made it to 89. 11/11 is Rememberance Day in the UK and signified by the poppy.

I'm thank for all the Veterans who came before me, served with me, and continue on after me. And not just American Soldiers either! Thanks to every Soldier who really tries to make difference in the world, no matter how small. To defend those who can't defend themselves.

Lost one grandfather this year, he was a radioman on a bomber in WW2. The other is hanging in there served in the Navy during WW2. Father and 4 of his 5 brothers served in Vietnam and I had the experience of being active duty during the first Gulf War, although I managed to stay out of the hot areas. To all my family and brothers in the service, thank you.

my great-granddad served during the Spanish-American War, my grand-dad during WW1, my Dad and an Uncle during WW2, another Uncle during Korea, me during Viet Nam, and a brother that just retired from the Air Force ... saw duty during the first Gulf War, a cousin that serves at the Pentagon (was at work during the attacks....

my heart felt thanks to all the rest of those that have served and my prayers for all those who have payed the ultimate price...............

My father served with the Marines in WW II in the Pacific Theatre. For most of his life he wouldn't talk about it, then about 10 years ago he got involved with doing oral histories of veterans of all wars and that sort of got him started on opening up.

He takes oral histories of men and women veterans on video and "transcribes" them to CDs for the local historical societies/county library and for the families of the veteran....for when the vet passes and they want to have a memento of their relative's service. For that reason, he was interviewed by a local newspaper one afternoon when I was home visiting from out-of-state. The way he described the experience of war was about as bad as some of the documentaries you see on the History Channel. He, himself, got shot up and still carries a lot of schrapnel in his back. My Mom says that every now and then small chunks appear near the surface of the skin and start to become infected if they are not removed.

The WW II vets, and the families that sent and supported them and the war effort, really are The Greatest Generation.

1987-1994