Today (November 11) is Veteran's Day, formerly Armistice Day, and is now celebrated to honor ALL veterans of all military services.

If you know a veteran, please consider thanking them for their service. Today or any day. The reason we have as many freedoms as we do is largely a function of the service of our Veterans.

MTV

Sleep well my brothers and sisters until we see each other again at Fiddler's Green.

"It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protestor to burn the flag. - Father Dennis Edward O'Brian, USMC (often incorrectly attributed to Charles M. Province)"

Thank you Veterans! We can never repay you.

Good day...Rob

Thank you for your service and sacrifice!

Thank you to all my family, friends, and strangers who have served in the military, including those veterans here on BCP.

A single holiday named in their honor is not nearly enough.

After the risks, huge sacrifices and small rewards of service to our country, our fine veterans have a Chump-Change retirement to look forward to.
And yet-we (gov) support the 'ner do wells' in society way more comfortably than they deserve.

What is wrong with this picture!!!???
lc

This is a very moving full Military funeral for a decorated WWII pilot and hero. He was also of American Indian heritage so the the American Indian tribe near Arlington Nat Cemetery participated in honoring Major Jeffers. Participation by Native Americans at the Arlington service was a 'first' time happening. The funeral service was held early this fall. I had the privilege of meeting and spending time with him in Hawaii a couple of years ago. A humble and yet very noble hero.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7naczmF3 ... ture=share

Maj Jeffers flew 30 missions over Germany as a command pilot. He retired from the USAF as a Major in the 60s. He came up through the ranks as a minority back in the days when you had to be twice as good as the 'good ol' boys' to achieve promotion-and yet never a word from him other than positive about the military and its opportunities.
His mind was sharp to the end. He could recite specs on the planes he flew and what happened on specific bombing missions during the war. Oh. He served in Korea, too.

And he had to hold down TWO full time jobs after retirement with his meager military pension to maintain a 'middle class' lifestyle. The military career did a poor job of preparing him for a good civilian resume and any position that was near his capabilities. He entered the civilian job market upon retirement as a minority, remember.

I went to HS with one of his daughters and son-in-law that I have stayed in touch with. The Fly-over shut down Regan International for 10 min so the flight could be timed perfect with the funeral service.
His tribe was in Wisconsin. He was half Native American, and came from extreme poverty, yet always had a smile and was positive. (WOW! I don't think I could do that!)
He was awarded TWO silver star medals.

lc

My son is a marine whose unit is now in training again at Twentynine Palms for their second tour. First was Iraq two years ago and now to Afghanistan.

Do your job well and come home thats all anyone wants.

Thank all of you for thinking of veterans today and for remembering them the rest of the year.

WITH PRAISE FOR AGING VETERANS
By Rev. Greg Asimakoupoulos

A veteran's not a rookie.
A vet has paid his dues.
... A veteran knows the hell of war
just nuanced in the news.

A veteran loves his country.
With pride he greets its flag.
He stands up straight (still soldier-like)
although his shoulders sag.

A veteran knows life's precious.
Old memories make him cry.
He wonders why God let him live
when he watched others die.

A veteran models friendship.
His buddies know he cares.
Although they live twelve states away,
he'll find a way to share.

In Saving Private Ryan,
civilians got to see
the bond this band of brothers feel
when one's in jeopardy.

I've seen what I'm describing.
You see, my dad's a vet.
His brave example makes me proud
of who he is. And yet

my dad's just one of millions
who fought so we'd be free.
Without regard for life or limb
they served us selflessly.

So how can we repay them?
It seems there's just no way,
except perhaps to honor them
with thanks on Veterans' Day.

Just returned from a Veteran's Day program which featured Mr. Stewart Bass as a speaker. I have had the privilege of getting to know Stew over the last couple of years, and he is quite the gentleman. I learned early on that he was a Naval Aviator during WWII, and quizzed him about that. He didn't talk too much about his actions during the war, but talked a good deal about his airplane...the TBM Avenger, torpedo bomber.

Some time later, I did a google search for Stew's name, and interestingly enough the search returned a Navy Cross citation, as follows:

BASS, STEWART
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Stewart Bass (0-31559), Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane, in action on 7 April 1945, in operations against major units of the Japanese fleet off Kyushu, Japan. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bass participated in a difficult and daring attack which sank a Japanese light cruiser. Flying by instruments through a heavy overcast, he broke through the clouds only to be caught in a cone of intense anti-aircraft fire. Notwithstanding, he pressed home his attack to point-blank range and scored one of the five direct hits which caused the vessel to roll over and sink a minute later. While retiring, his plane was subjected to continued and intense anti-aircraft fire from the cruiser and an escorting destroyer, but by superior airmanship, he brought his plane and crew through unscathed. His skill, daring, and utter disregard for personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Commander, 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0508 (June 26, 1945)

Stew doesn't talk much about himself, and is very self effacing, but his talk today was a great reminder of one veteran's experiences, and provided a great deal of information about what it was like to be a Naval Aviator in WWII.

A great talk, and if you're ever in Fargo, ND, visit the Air Museum, where you can meet Stew, generally standing beside the ..... TBM Avenger. He'll give you a first class tour.

MTV

MTV, maybe you could suggest to the museum that Mr. Bass' remarks, stories and memories are recorded on video for future generations to experience. It's one of the only ways to make sure men like this don't get short-changed by history in the future. It's much better for people in the future to be able to hear these things in his own words.

We lost our family's WWII vet in 2008. In a video interview conducted by my daughter, his granddaughter, we preserved his memories from Normande to the Battle of the Bulge and on to Berlin. It is now part of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. Here is the contact.

http://www.loc.gov/vets/kit.html

EZ,

Great idea, and indeed, Stew's talk took place in the Kiehle Auditorium of the University of Minnesota campus. Our media guy recorded his talk on both video and audio.

MTV

Thanks to all of the Veterans who served, and to those who serve presently for protecting our Nation and being ever so vigilant.

Happy 236th B-Day USMC -- Semper Fidelis!

And Congratulations to the members of the US 442nd RCT, US 100th Inf. Bn. and US MIS for receiving the Congressional Gold Medal on 11/2/2011... GO FOR BROKE!

Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dinyPk2f ... re=related

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0Zi44z4 ... ure=relmfu

Alan

An observation.

Decades ago many ( at least some ) people routinely bought a poppy from a vets. organization and wore it on their lapel to show remembrance of the sacrifices of veterans who put themselves in harm's way upon the orders of and in service of their country.

I recently was in Toronto where 60% or more of the people on the street and 100% of the people in the media proudly wore the commemorative Poppy for Remembrance (Veteran's ) Day.

I bought several and put one in my lapel to primarily remember those of my Dad's generation and the friends lost in Vietnam. Upon returning to the USA I was totally shocked by the number of people in the USA that asked what the Poppy was for.

I also realized that essentially no one in the USA any longer goes to the bother to even go to this small effort to commemorate those who have gone before. What happened??

While politicians send people to fight wars, but eliminate their support upon their return; we as citizens should remember and hold those in power to send people in harm's way accountable to do so only for just reasons and provide the services required upon their return.

Stepping off soap box now.

The Other 1%...enough said. Thank you to all who serve.

PM if you want the whole article...

A little fun tribute made for a friend:

Wreaths across America....very touching.
Thanksgiving. Christmas. A time of giving-but also a time to be thankful for, acknowledge, and appreciate what the Veterans of our country have given for us.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgHmS3CE ... ture=share


Very touching indeed.
lc

TomD wrote:An observation.

Decades ago many ( at least some ) people routinely bought a poppy from a vets. organization and wore it on their lapel to show remembrance of the sacrifices of veterans who put themselves in harm's way upon the orders of and in service of their country.

I recently was in Toronto where 60% or more of the people on the street and 100% of the people in the media proudly wore the commemorative Poppy for Remembrance (Veteran's ) Day.

I bought several and put one in my lapel to primarily remember those of my Dad's generation and the friends lost in Vietnam. Upon returning to the USA I was totally shocked by the number of people in the USA that asked what the Poppy was for.

I also realized that essentially no one in the USA any longer goes to the bother to even go to this small effort to commemorate those who have gone before. What happened??

While politicians send people to fight wars, but eliminate their support upon their return; we as citizens should remember and hold those in power to send people in harm's way accountable to do so only for just reasons and provide the services required upon their return.

Stepping off soap box now.

Here in small town SW WA the poppy tradition is alive and well thankfully. Every year they are for sale at the grocery store in town. Have mine. Belated thank you to everyone that served.