I know you probably don’t remember me but I really enjoyed your writing back in RS 2.0….In fact I think you may have been one of the first people to answer a post of mine…even though the post was idiotic you made sure to not make me feel that way.

I hope you start writing more again…you are definitely a value add.

a thank you and if given the opportunity I have bought some small things and once lunch for one young man! I love them and I love that they sacrifice on my behalf for the wonderful life I have….they are simply amazing men and women they are the best that this country has to offer…it goes without saying that at this time of year if you don’t thank them during the rest of the year that you really ought to!

Awesome to see you back brother! The site has been missing something without you.

Stellar, as always. You were missed.

Great post.

in one of those places the soldier gets treated poorly.

Because there’d be a throwdown for sure. Two against everybody if need be.

Hey, HS, great, great note there. I know you beamed with pride to be able to treat both veterans to the respect they were due.

Now, if they had the merest idea of who YOU were, and the honor truly bestowed on them…..

What are we supposed to say when people do this? How do we respond? I can usually get by with a blush and a “Thank you.” but it just doesn’t seem enough…

I thank them every time no matter where we meet. Some are embarrassed and some are moved to tears. I’ve never had a military person to rebuff my thanks,but a few have just nodded or teared up.
I’ve had my red poppy on for 2 days and will wear it through Memorial Day at the parade. Old Glory flies everyday rain or shine, 24/7,365 days a year.

Old dogs always come home,stick around awhile,missed ya.

May I say you were one of the first posters I recommended way back when.

My dad served in Vietnam and I remember the story of when he first got back and the horrifying things said/done to him just through the airport. He instilled in all his kids that we treat our military with respect because they do a great service to this nation and we wouldn’t be the nation we are without the sacrifice they’ve given. I’ve more than once picked up the tab for a soldier (and his/her family when warranted) and I will continue to do so!

Thank you, Haystack, for the gratitude you show to the troops!

Thank you.

I’ve had both types of responses to seeing me in uniform out and about in civilian-land back a few years ago. Some would unabashedly come up to me and shake my hand, thanking me, others would pointedly ignore me and refuse service (had a restaurant do this to me and a few other guys once). You learn to tune it out and just do the job. A lot of times me and my buddies were really embarrassed by it all. I mean, most of us joined up for the college benefits or because we were unruly kids who were likely to end up in jail if we didn’t do something, and college wasn’t an option. We end up in uniform together, and over the course of 4-6 years of the first term are taught things that I swear it’s impossible to learn elsewhere. Love for the country and its symbols (I still get fired up when I see a tattered flag flying), respect and admiration for the servicemen who came before us, including those who still serve as our superiors. For me, at least, I also learned an near-idolatry for the Constitution. It and the UCMJ were the laws that governed my existence for six years, and when you see people flagrantly ignoring or trampling either, it boils the blood, makes me crazy.

Memorial day is all about the brotherhood (that includes our sisters) of armed services and the citizens that depend on them every day to stay safe and secure in our way of life. I had a young lady say to me once, “The war in Iraq hasn’t gained us a single thing but dead Americans,” as if to profane their sacrifice by denying the lasting effect our presence there has had. I responded, “Let me ask you a question: you’ve read about the energetic insurgency we’ve faced in Iraq, right? The thousands of terrorists killed and the constant danger of ambush and roadside bombing attacks? Where do you think that energy would have gone had our troops not been there to absorb and respond to it? Do you think they meant to hit us just once on 9/11 and walk away? These people aren’t the 1940′s Japanese. They mean to grind us until there is nothing left of us, our culture or our way of life, and their methods are damned effective. Look at Europe and tell me that Islamic revolution isn’t a very clear and present danger.”

Some people get it. Most don’t. Thanks for the diary, haystack.

You have been missed more than you could possibly imagine. And now that Achance is gone to do wonders in Alaska, it would be great to have you back as often as possible so we don’t have to keep missing both of you at the same time.

As to the subject of your diary, that must have made the rest of your day just sail on effortlessly! Thanks so much for sharing this…..

First off, it is great to see you here Haystack.

As some of you know, my Reserve unit is getting ready to deploy. I am not free to give any details at all right now, but we do have a bit of time to prepare, and the mission brief we recently received actually scared me. Not scared for me, but for the 6 junior enlisted soldiers I am responsible for as their NCO. These are soldiers, but to me they are kids, gearing up for something that they have no idea what it really means to them, the future, and no idea that even with the best of circumstances they will never be the same.

I bring all that up because we have been on active duty a lot recently to do various training and preparations. One day recently we were all in uniform at a restaurant when a few people came up and thanked us for our service and said some very nice things. We all felt very awkward, but thanked them.

Afterwards, I told my troops that there were two things that they needed to know about people thanking us. 1.) No matter how often you hear it, it warms your heart to know the depths of appreciation that some people feel for what we do. 2.) More importantly, no matter what you do, what you give, you will never feel comfortable accepting it because you always feel like there are so many who deserve it more.

That’s the reality. I thank all of those who appreciate us, and I thank all of those who let us know it. It truly helps, especially in the dark of night with explosions and tracers and the chaos around you, to know that the value of what you are doing is seen by at least some of those you do it for.

One of the most touching phrases I have ever heard is this – “Only one bullet, one mortar, one IED, separates Veteran’s day from Memorial day.”

Millions of people will barbecue or go to the lake or some other fun activity next Monday. I will be one of them. Some of us will spend at least part of that day thanking God that this is not yet our holiday, and thinking solemnly of those who didn’t make it home. In my opinion, too few will consider the full significance of the day we set aside to honor our fallen heroes.

God bless America.

the memory of our fallen heroes must be the care and consolation of the families of the dearly departed.

I driving on a local highway recently, and as is always the case, my eyes scan for everything. I caught glimplse of a specialty license plate I hadn’t previous seen. On the edge, vertically imprinted GSF and ten the serial number. Pulling behing the fellow motorist, I read the top of the plate “GOLD STAR FAMILY.” As traffic allowed, I pulled out and along side of the ~50 yr old couple, turned to them, and as they returned my gaze, I snapped a strong and long SALUTE. They instantly understood that i was thankful for their family members ultimate sacrifice.

Of a similar note to HS’s great diary, I found out recently that Pep Boys has offers, without publicity, a 10% discount to AD and veterans. Their receipt actually uses the term MILITARY DISCOUNT on it. Their are not hiding that discont under an anonymous heading. I found my new parts store.

If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can still read it in English, You’re Welcome
Deskpilot, AM(H)1 (AW), USN (Ret)

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Please don’t stay gone that long again. I missed seeing you around. I’m glad that you’re back.

It’s comments from those like Raven and Hooah and Uma and Evan and others that remind us all of the significance our soldiers and their families have in our democracy. While we may all have the freedom to disagree and express ourselves in the public eye, taking veterans for granted, or using them like pawns in a political tug of war is no way to show the respect and decency they deserve for all they do for us.

I’m always humbled by seeing them and hearing their stories, and thankful every day that they are here and have the fortitude to just ignore the folks that just don’t “get” how important they are…to all of us.

Happy Memorial day folks.