Guest Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 My son's birthday was yesterday. It's easy to remember since it's on Veterans' Day, and he has had to be a little warrior to fight for his short life (he is 3). Also, he is named after 2 great warriors. I lost several friends in the Middle Eastern wars. I didn't even know some were gone until I was out and back home. I was enlisted during the 1st Gulf War, not the more recent one. My family has a strong history of serving in the military. My grandfather and one of his brothers lied about their age to join the Marines at the onset of WWII, and they both served on the USS Enterprise. My mother, one of my uncles, and my father all served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and my father's adopted father was in the Navy as well. One of my aunts was in the Air Force, and her husband retired after 24 years in the Army, having served in both Korea and Vietnam. I was in the Navy during the first Gulf War, and my sister was in the Air Force for 10 years, where she met her husband, Rod,who posts on here, and who retired earlier this year from the Air Force. Rod's grandfather served during WWII as well, and I believe that he gave his life during that war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 My son's birthday was yesterday. It's easy to remember since it's on Veterans' Day, and he has had to be a little warrior to fight for his short life (he is 3). Also, he is named after 2 great warriors. I lost several friends in the Middle Eastern wars. I didn't even know some were gone until I was out and back home. I was enlisted during the 1st Gulf War, not the more recent one. My family has a strong history of serving in the military. My grandfather and one of his brothers lied about their age to join the Marines at the onset of WWII, and they both served on the USS Enterprise. My mother, one of my uncles, and my father all served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and my father's adopted father was in the Navy as well. One of my aunts was in the Air Force, and her husband retired after 24 years in the Army, having served in both Korea and Vietnam. I was in the Navy during the first Gulf War, and my sister was in the Air Force for 10 years, where she met her husband, Rod,who posts on here, and who retired earlier this year from the Air Force. Rod's grandfather served during WWII as well, and I believe that he gave his life during that war. I'm so sorry to hear that your child is having trouble.That is every parents nightmare. He will be in my thoughts and my prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TooRisky Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 My great uncle was a British paratrooper who jumped on D-Day. Unfortunately he wouldn't talk about the war and he died before I could really sit and talk to him. Same with my grandfather who fought the Japanese in Burma. Storming the beaches of Normandy was just the start of it of course. They then went inland and clashed with the panzer divisions etc. At the risk of starting a riot I remember the dead of the 'enemy' too. Most of them were also kids with no choice in the matter. My girlfriend is German and she had grandparents and great uncles etc who were sent to fight. So so true Kerchak... Yes all the fallen, living, and serving... Humans pay the price for governments decisions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kerchak Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 A big thank you to all of those who shared my sentiments and I'm glad nobody disagreed. Cheers!! American soldiers don't fight for Mom, Dad, Apple Pie or Sweet Little Susie back home. They fight for each other, and that's all. In the Corps we always said "I don;t intend to die for my country, but I will make the enemy die for his" Plain and simple. I agree. I'm not a vet but all I've ever heard from veterans (on both sides) is that first and foremost they are fighting for themselves, then their mates, then their company, then their battalion , then their division/regiment etc etc. King and country and Uncle Sam are way down the list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDL Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 I find this day to be somewhat disturbing every year. I try not to notice that it is approaching and don't make any special plans. I even avoid the news coverage. Though it was nineteen years of my life, it was a lifetime ago. As I write this, on my fourth child's second birthday, his younger brother, 75 days old, is smiling and cooing at me. At 51, my life is about the future. But my future draws me back. It looks like my 22 year old will become an Army wife, and my fifteen year old, who is looking at colleges, is seriously considering the school that I and his uncle attended. The place where he was born, and the place where one of his ancestors was superintendent. A place just an hour away where I spent more than eight years of my life. A place I rarely visit. On my desk sits a novel that I've been putting off reading for months. It was recently published by one of my cow (junior) year roommates. Much of it is set in Afghanistan. I was honored and chagrined when he informed me that one of the main characters in the book is based on me, and gratified that it is dedicated to our other roommate (also a main character), who lost his life when his helicopter was downed in Iraq. He was the chief medical officer for Centcom at the time. I've decided to attend my 30th reunion next year, the first I will have attended, but I'm apprehensive. There are holes in my heart, left by people of honor, and I'm not sure how they can be filled. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
See-Te-Cah NC Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 Every day is Veteran's Day to me. Because of our soldiers and their sacrifices over the past 235 years, I can live my life the way I choose, breathe the free air of the country that I love and have hope for my child's future. Heck. I can even debate and discuss the existence of an animal that has yet to be proven. Thanks to all that have served our country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wudewasa Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 JDL, I can sympathize with your perspective. No one hates war more than the warrior. To conjure forth painful memories of the past takes great strength. Vets tell me that if you haven't been in the service, then you will never understand the bond that those in the military have with one another. While vets appreciate the sentiments of the people on Veterans' Day, they will celebrate in their own way. See Te Cah, NC For myself, Veteran's day is about honoring my warrior ancestors all the way back to the beginning. From the hunter gatherers that protected their band, the tribes that fought the Romans, all the way to today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Biggie Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 My son's birthday was yesterday. It's easy to remember since it's on Veterans' Day, and he has had to be a little warrior to fight for his short life (he is 3). I lost several friends in the Middle Eastern wars. I didn't even know some were gone until I was out and back home. My grandfather and one of his brothers lied about their age to join the Marines at the onset of WWII Sorry to hear about your son's battles in his short life, and about your lost friends. My grandfather and one of my uncles also lied about their young age to serve in the Navy during the war. My grandfather was just 14yrs old who had lived on his own since he was 12yrs old so he had a rough life and often spent time in the brig for his behavior. He got his forearm tattoo with a buddy of his during the war then his buddy got killed soon afterward which still makes him sad to think about. My uncle's false age was discovered so they located him in Guam and sent him home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 At the risk of starting a riot I remember the dead of the 'enemy' too. Most of them were also kids with no choice in the matter. My girlfriend is German and she had grandparents and great uncles etc who were sent to fight. A valid point, not often considered.... My one grandfather spent the final 6 months of the war running a prisoner of war camp in Italy. By this point in time Italy had been "liberated", so it was an easy task keeping the German soldiers from escaping. He simply pointed out to them that they were much safer IN the camp, then they were out of it. Finding out what had happened to a few that had escaped was enough to convince them to stay put (they had been caught and brutally murdered by Italian citizens). Over time he began to realize that a great deal of the German soldiers were just young men who had not been given a choice as to whether they would fight or not. Obviously to obtain a certain rank, or certain outfits you had to be complicit but the majority of young soldiers were in no position to deny service. They would have probably just been shot, or sent off to one of the many prison camps. Anyway, my grandfather got to know some of the men in his camp, and he allowed and provided for some occasional "treats" for them. A case of canned peaches that "fell off the truck", shoes/boots that would have been for US GI's only, or making sure none of the men were roughed up or beaten by guards... just common decency things. But to the soldiers he had in his camp, it was seen as something more- something that they certainly didnt expect. I can tell you the oddest thing as a child, was around the holidays- my grandfather for many years after the war used to get Christmas cards from some of the German's that had been in his camp.... even up until the 80's when many WW2 vet's started dying off.... He was an Infantryman, and spent his 1st, and part of his second tour in Italy. My other Grandfather was a gunner's mate on the USS Benham (DD796) in the Pacific campaign. Benham was an escort destroyer, so was in the vicinity of many of the great battles. She was also tied up on the port side bow of Missouri at the ceremony when the Emperor of Japan signed the papers to officially end the war. Ahh, the stories I heard as a child... I miss those days, and wish I'd recorded some of them on tape, or written them out.... They were two brave simple guy's who did their part. Nothing made them stand out, but their service and what they saw- changed their lives forever. I didnt appreciate it as a child, not to the extent that i do now.... Sergeant First Class: William A. Myles (US Army) 1917-1995 Gunner's Mate: Howard T. Smith (US Navy) 1913-1996 God keep and protect them both... I miss them dearly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 (edited) Sorry to hear about your son's battles in his short life, and about your lost friends. He was born with a congenital heart defect call double outlet right ventricle, a ventricular septal defect, and a narrowing of the pulmonary artery. Basically, he could not get nearly enough oxygen into his blood stream and throughout his body due to his condition. He breathed really rapidly, kind of like a dog when it is hot. He was also not able to do anything that other babies could do, such as sit up, roll over, etc. because the lack of oxygen caused him to tire out too quickly. He has improved a ton since having surgery, though. You would never know he had open heart surgery unless you saw him with his shirt off. Edited November 13, 2011 by Surveyor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kerchak Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 A valid point, not often considered.... My one grandfather spent the final 6 months of the war running a prisoner of war camp in Italy. By this point in time Italy had been "liberated", so it was an easy task keeping the German soldiers from escaping. He simply pointed out to them that they were much safer IN the camp, then they were out of it. Finding out what had happened to a few that had escaped was enough to convince them to stay put (they had been caught and brutally murdered by Italian citizens). Over time he began to realize that a great deal of the German soldiers were just young men who had not been given a choice as to whether they would fight or not. Obviously to obtain a certain rank, or certain outfits you had to be complicit but the majority of young soldiers were in no position to deny service. They would have probably just been shot, or sent off to one of the many prison camps. Anyway, my grandfather got to know some of the men in his camp, and he allowed and provided for some occasional "treats" for them. A case of canned peaches that "fell off the truck", shoes/boots that would have been for US GI's only, or making sure none of the men were roughed up or beaten by guards... just common decency things. But to the soldiers he had in his camp, it was seen as something more- something that they certainly didnt expect. I can tell you the oddest thing as a child, was around the holidays- my grandfather for many years after the war used to get Christmas cards from some of the German's that had been in his camp.... even up until the 80's when many WW2 vet's started dying off.... He was an Infantryman, and spent his 1st, and part of his second tour in Italy. Very interesting stories Art, particularly the above one. Thanks a lot for sharing. Shame to hear about the escaped German soldiers being murdered by Italian citizens, who were their allies not so long before. Italy willingly joined the war on Germany's side. In fact it's ironic that it was Italy who first declared war on Britain, whereas Germany didn't. Not wishing to go into the political areas but Italy was as big on Fascism as Germany and joined the war against Britain/Commonwealth with great gusto initially.......when they thought the Germans would win and wanted to ride their coat tails. But anyway that's enough of that. Nice touch to hear at the end that they kept in touch via Christmas cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Biggie Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 He has improved a ton since having surgery, though. Glad to hear it. I'm sure he'll grow up to be a tough guy like his old man. I bet you've already taught him how to do an arm bar and rear naked choke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Here I am with Benaiah in PICU right after his surgery. It was really hard to see him like that! Here he is just two weeks later, all healed up and playing with his feet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDL Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Squared away and ready to take on the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kerchak Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Nice pics of your boy, Surveyor. Very sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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