Not to go off far off topic, but I thought I would throw this in here.....
My Dad past away 7.8.09. His accomplishments......
USN HMC 1947-1953
USNR 1974-1990
CPO 1985
USS Gainard DD-706
USS Missouri BB-63
National Service Defence Service Medal
Navy Occupation Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Medal
Korean Presidentional Unit Citation
Besides His accomplishments, He lived His life for better or worse and will be missed very much. He was a Father, Friend and Brother (Mason/Shriner/Scotish Rite)
Prayers out too ALL Past and Present who have served this country so ALL of us have our freedom! RESPECT to ALL!
Sambo- 3.30.30 - 7.8.09
ds
I can tell you from personall experience that it puts a great amount of pride in your heart when a complete stranger finds out your military and shakes your hand and offers there gratitude out of the blue. I do not have any CLOSE relatives or friends that have fallen thank goodness. My grandfather served in Vietnam and my father in law is now retired army and I can only hope to match there service. I have almost 7 years in as an aircraft mechanic and can not even dream of having another job. I am in the military for multiple reasons with number one serving my country. As I sat here and read through this post I have to thank everyone for keeping the military in their heart it is truly appreciated and I highly encourge all to shake the hand of a vetern, active, reserve or gaurd member and let them know face to face how much you appreciate their service.
My first memorable experience and when I relized how much the military is loved was at a random gas station in OK while traveling from NM to TN for vacation at home. The gentleman pumping gas next to me struck up a casual conversation and found out I was military (car tags) it might not have seemed like a big deal to him but I saw him go out of his way to walk around the pump and another car so he could stand "toe to toe" and shake my hand and thank me and once done he went back to his truck and told his friend (sitting in the passenger side of his truck) that I was military his friend got out came over to me and did the same (shake hands and thank me). I say this is my first memorable moment because it was at that point I felt like I had done something with my life.
When ever I see someone with a WWII hat or other identifiable military memorbilia I give them the same respect and gratitude I felt that day. Again Thank you all for your apreciation of the military of the greatest country in the world and Thank you all for your service whether you are active retired or honorably dischard THANK YOU for your service.
Here in the South and specifically Charleston, SC, honor to the military is an everyday luxury that everyone of us who are not military rejoice in. I can recall the chills I got the last time I was at the airport when a group fo soldiers were returning from "whereever". As they disembarked and came into the lobby at the gates, all the people waiting for planes stood and applauded for each and everyone of them. God Bless America and God Bless our military. My son in law is fulltime Army Nationa Guard and my grandson (all 10 years of him) looks forward to following his father--I love them all and am proud of them. It is truly an honor to be able to applaud the sacrifice of our military.
I'll list my dad who died about 10 years ago..
4 years in the army (pre-WWII)
Went into the Navy During WWII as a Merchant Seaman on Liberty Ships
When they created the Air Force, he switched over and became a E-8 Chief Master Sergeant responsible for maintenance of B-52's at SAC Bases.
He retired after 24 years total service
His Brother was in the Marines in WWII and was a purple heart recipient for a bad shrapnel wound between his left shoulder and his heart.. He was lucky to live.
I spent 7 Years in the Coast Guard Reserve.
So between the Three of us, we covered all of the services, but of course my service does not compare to theirs, but it helps round out the story...
Hey gdcleanfun: You talk about the situation being different during Vietnam years. Here in SC, the situation has always been the same--respect and honor of our military. I truly believe that there is a sense of honor, service, trust, family, land, and respect for the military and for each other here in the South that does not exist in all the other parts of the country---particularly the northeast, where I was born and raised. Handshakes, saluting the flag, yes sir--no sir civility, respect for elders, respect for the military and LE still mean something.
GD, It was a strange time back then. When I left Da Nang I dropped into El Toro in prca. If you had a deep tan, short hair and strange shinney shoes, you were treated with, shall we say, disdain. I kid you not, I bought a wig in LA to travel in to go home. It wasn't that I was upset of mot proud of being a Marine, I just did not want the trouble.