Thank you brother. And the same to you. That was powerful, particularly the first part. But the dust allergies seem to be kicking up right now. So let me just ofer up in return a thought of my own about Veterans as an Ethnic Minority

I wish you a good Montrachet la Guiche, and the drink of their choice to Dan S., Charlie Delta, and all the other vets here. My own will be a premium Zinfandel and the toast will be Noone is forgotten, nothing is forgotten.

Thanks Denny, all us old farts appreciate your service.

Thanks, Denny. Have a good one.

NEVER, in all of Military History, has there ever been a greater, more unsung Hero than the "common, ordinary, HM" USN Corpsman.

AND YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO THE BANK!

Only once in my life did I truly go berserk and cause serious, mindless damage to another, regardless of consequence to myself:

It had to do with someone posing as an HM.

Don't do that. I'll try and rip yur limbs off.

YO! Veterans! Respect the Navy Corpsman! Do otherwise and you will precipitate an avalanche of blind, mindless ANGER!

Note To Phonies: Go ahead and pose as an HM; you'll get love, respect and an automatic romantic-night in bed. And you'll pay a bit later.

Go ahead, Phony! Why Not? I dare ya! Claim an HM2-Rate! I won't go absolutely berserk again. Really! Truly! You believe this, right?

Veteran's Day, at core, regardless of all that went before and all that time has caused it to mean, reminds me & says simply to me:

Navy Corpsman.

Your mileage may vary.

VETERAN FRIENDS: Are for a lifetime.

Ain't that the truth. Even if you've never met them before, once one veteran knows that he's talking to another, it's like they've been friends for years. This coming year marks 10 years since I left active duty, and I still call my friends from the ship. Hell, I even helped one guy move from San Diego to TX. And if you've lost touch with some of your buddies, you may be able to find them here.

All I ask is that if you've never served in the military, at least thank a veteran. Even if you don't agree with the war.

And as for that blank check up to and including my life? It's become a rain check. All my country has to do is call.

Happy Veterans Day to everybody. Fair winds and following seas, shipmates! Go Navy!!

My thanks to you and all my brothers and sisters Denny. And to echo Mike the RM Go Navy!

Thanks to all of the vets here, if not for you, America would not be. Thanks.

Thank you, Denny, and to the rest of the men and women who have served our country. You have my respect. Always.

My father was USMC & US Army, I was US Army, and my daughter did 8 years in US Navy. I have a half-brother who was career USAF. Guess between us we've covered all of it but USCG, and my hat's off to those folks, too.

Rob J

That was a hell of a post. I read it a couple of times to take it in fully. It's also spot on.

I don't wait for Veteran's Day to thank fellow vets, and that ESPECIALLY goes for the older ones. Thanks to their sacrifice and service, this was already the longtime greatest country in the world when I was born, and they enabled me to grow up in it's freedoms.

Thanks to all of you who served.

I wish my brother would still be here to read this post. He admired you, and always felt at home in your company, in WW2. Thanks to all for serving.

A hearty thank you to the other vets here and a very humble you're welcome to those who haven't taken the opportunity to serve.

And to DanS and the other Navy Corpsman apologizers.....

Without us trigger pullers, you'd be out of a job ; )

thanks Denny

CIVILIAN FRIENDS: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
-The author must not know my friends. ;)

Thank you vets! Our thanks and gratitude can never be expressed in words.

I thank 'em all the time when they pass through the airport in uniform.

Apparently so do a lot of other folks.

All I have to say is, Thanks, they all know what I mean.

Veterans:

A free meal is yours at any local Applebee's, Longhorn Steak and a few others.

Applebee's accepts tattoos, VA-ID, or any valid form of verification. They won't cover drinks and the like, but they will provide any one of 4 entree's.

And they will gather as a staff around your table and smile some of the warmest faces you'll ever be priveledged to see. You have that respect going for yourself.

Claudia

HATS of to the friends of the north!!!

I saw a story on the news the other night about the Highway of Heroes

That is how soldiers should be treated!

And god bless all who serve

THANK YOU for your service

Do you have seen this site?
http://www.50millionamericans.org/

To paraphrase, "This land is your land, this land is my land; this land was made for you and me." In addition to all of us who are both grateful and thankful for your service and sacrifice, I'd just like to add to every vet who visits here from the bottom of my heart...Welcome Home. And Denny, you quote a Beatitude pretty good for an unbeliever...you know God doesn't believe in atheists, don't you?

Thanks Denny!

As an Army veteran of the Vietnam war (state-side at Fort Richie, MD), I appreciate the sentiments written. My main job was to process in the boys coming back home. My heart goes out to every one of them! You could see how much they "lived" in just a couple of years.

As a performer, I am the lucky one today. I got to sing at a senior center and do every patriotic song I know. You wanna know which tune is sung the loudest (after God Bless America, of course!)--Over There! They especially like the part when we sing "We're coming over and we won't come back til it's over, over there." Too bad that will change very soon.

God bless all who served.

To absent comrades!

Thanks to all the medics that took care of me and others while in the field. There is a special place in Heaven for you. Thank you.

Good post Denny,

Thanks for sharing, that was good. No matter how much you and I, or other people on here disagree, hopefully you know that we agree that we want what is best for America.

I know that not many on here care for me, but I try and be respectful when I express my opinion. Cheers to all of the Veterans who have faded away, and cheers to all who have since retired. Don't forget about all that are serving abroad. Regardless of the financial situation facing us, or the ugly residue from the contentious election. We are living in the greates country in the world. And it is made great from sacrifices from Veterans of all ages, of all political and religous backgrounds and races. "Joe", G.I. that is....has helped make America what it is today.

Late to the picnic, but still wanted to say "Thanks!" to all of the GOC veterans :)

May you live long and well!

God bless our veterans !

Army mates will help you hide the body.

I know its a lil late, just wanted to share.

There isn't a day that goes by that I wish I had been able to join the military. Unfortunatly, my body didn't allow me to. Being the son of an Air Force vet that served in Vietnam, I too wanted to write that "blank check". But, God had another plan in store for me. Though i was unable, I thank all that have served, all that intend on serving, and those who made that eternal sacrifice for their country, family and friends, so that we may all continue to live free.

Late but just found this site. I would also like to send out my grateful and heartfelt thanks to ALL vets. Because of life issues at the time, I was not able to join my beloved Marines. I went through life serving in the law enforcement arena. Believe me, these men and women write that blank check every day also. Later in life I was asked to join a "security" company. Fought side by side with former Marines, Army, Navy people. The greatest compliment I was ever given was when one of my "brothers" told me, "You may never have served officially in the Marine Corp, but you have the heart and soul of a Marine, you can fight at my side anytime." I will be the first to say I was not in the military. At the same time, I will always try my best to live up to that compliment. Thanks again to all who served.