My father spent 30 years in the Navy, did 3 tours in Nam, saved numerous civilians under fire in Ethiopia in the 70s, and was an all around great guy.
My husband did 20 in the Army, and went under fire two tours each in Afghanistan and Iraq as a DOD Civilian. Got mortared a time or two and disabled a whole grunch of IEDs with the help of his robots.
My nephew did 20 in the Marines and got bombed on 9/11 at the Pentagon.
But - the soldier I want to honor today remains nameless by choice. He earned a Silver Star in Afghanistan - and brought home a mighty bad case of PTSD as a souvenir of the horror. For him, and all the others who came home walking wounded to a military health care system that didn't have the funds or facilities to give aid where needed - send your tax deductible donations to the Wounded Warrior project, and your time to the local Vet hospital.
Please share with those suffering from PTSD: do NOT take the Paxil/Prozac SSRIs b/c they enhance paranoia and can lead to tragic action.
I suffered frim severe PTSD for over a decade. I learned EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and was able to reduce my symptoms from *2000* out of 10 down to a 3 or 4 and sometimes zero.
Look up Gary Craig working with Vietnam Vets suffering for over 30 years from sleep dep and bad dreams and trauma. He was able to clear the trauma in a very short time.
PTSD saps the life out of you. But it is eminently treatable without drugs and is NOT a kifetime sentence. The VA knows about this low-cost, self-administered treatment option but apparently the policy is drugs an/or withholding ANY care for as long as possible.
My dad served in the Navy for over 20 years. Resigned in protest during Nixon's presidency. I could not be more proud of my dad for this.
I love them all, but my dad was in the Navy and served in Viet Nam and my moms was also in the Navy and ironically outranked Big Daddy, both at home and on base. Thank you to everyone for your sacrifice. Now, come on home.
There are too many to thank here and not enough room to give credit to all the brave people that gave their lives for our country. Please dont think that you are not noticed or appreciated. I give thanks to you every night and day that i can live in freedom. You are a constant reminder that there was someone willing who took a bullet not just for me but for every american. So thank you with love.
I have a dad, step-dad and brother who are combat veterans and I thank them every day. But let's not forget that Memorial Day is for honoring those who died in service to our country, and the emphasis should be on them. I think we should honor veterans every day, and especially on Veterans Day, but on Memorial Day, let's pause for a moment to thank those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
My dad served in WW 2, volunteered for for forward mission and was captured by germans. He was POW for like 26 months, which probably , ironically, saved his life. He won Gold star for bravery. To him and allWW 2 vets and all vets from every war, I say a humble thank you.
Just went to his 81st Birthday Party yesterday to honor our wonderful neighbor: HELMER, George Patrick, Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate, USCG (Extraordinary Heroism) Date of Action: 29-30 April 1969 Date of Award: 08 December 1969 Senior Chief Petty Officer HELMER is cited for heroic conduct during the period 29 April to 30 April 1969 while serving as Officer in Charge, USCGC POINT WHITEHORN (WPB 82364) engaged in fire fighting operations for the naphtha-laden tanker MOBILE APEX in Limetree Bay, St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Despite the numerous explosions and raging fires, Senior chief Petty Officer HELMER skillfully maneuvered the POINT WHITEHORN alongside the MOBILE APEX to place an investigation team from USCGC COURAGEOUS (WMEC 622) aboard the burning tanker and remained in this hazardous position until the team was safely removed. Senior Chief Petty Officer HELMER demonstrated unusual initiative, fortitude, and heroic daring in spite of imminent personal danger throughout the mission. His unselfish actions, remarkable courage, and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.
We're a Navy family - My Grandfather, My dad, my brother, and now my niece who just passed her 2nd class evals and is now officially an MA2 or Master at Arms 2nd class. WOOHOO!!!! Go Navy!
I have had family serve in the Military since the Revolution and at this present moment have two nephews and 3 cousin serving. My wonderful great uncle and grandpa served in WWII in the Navy and then my daddy served 24 yrs in the Army and did 3 tours in Vietnam. He passed away in 1994 due to cancer from exposure to Agent Orange. My ex-husband and present husband were Marines. I am very proud of the fact that I am an Army brat and that I was a Military spouse. Neither is an easy life but they were so rewarding. Today is a day we honor those men and women who didn't make it home and they deserve all the glory and respect in the world! For without them who knows what our country would be.
My deceased stepfather volunteered 3 harrowing tours in Vietnam, the last two as an RN-Anesthetist (combat wound surgeries). There were a lot of M*A*S*H reruns in my house as a kid. The PTSD from all he saw ruined his life, it really did. He screamed in his sleep. Became an alcoholic.
My father was already in the National Guard way before the Vietnam draft escalated, just because he already had 2 kids, needed $, joined for the 2nd job. Low and behold, it lowered his draft number or whatever, and he didn't go. As a Guardsman though, my dad had to respond to lots of potential 'riots' (1960's protests). (NOT Kent State.)
My father's father had a whole lung removed as a child, so he was 4F for WW2. Already married with 2 kids, but during the war lived as one of the few fit-enough 20ish men in town for 3+ years. He enjoyed his advantage, and had a kid with another woman during that time. I only found that out way after he died.
Very few men in my family, and I know nothing about my mother's father. I know definitely that both sides had soldiers in the Union Army, so thank goodness I have SOME military service in my ancestry. Few men + a few coincidences means my family hasn't sacrificed like most did last century.
Thanks to all of you with family members who have served and especially those who've died for me and our awesome country. God bless America and all our troops.
I pray for all who serve every night but would like to say a special word about my father-in-law. He and six others were shot down over the South China Sea. M.I.A. for over six months. The four survivors were found by the Chinese Army and traveled with them for five months till they were reunited with US forces. A wonderful man who is still best friends with the only other living survivor. A salute to the men who traveled that fearsome road with him and are now at rest.
Lisa my dad also went to vietnam and died of agent orange cancer. I am so fortunate to be an army brat, was born at fort bragg, nc. My dad was a carrier army, 22 years, I am so proud of him and want to thank all the other mem and women who have served our country
I'd like to remember my uncle who died in Normandy in July 1944, of a sniper's bullet. He was my mother's younger brother, the only of her brothers to survive, however briefly, to adulthood. By all accounts -- including his Univ. of Georgia roommate, whom we discovered many years after my uncle's death -- he was a fine young man, always willing to help anyone. I was born a few years after he died, so I never knew him.
Two of my three sons have served, one career Army, the other a single tour Air Force. Both were in Iraq at the same time. And, thank goodness, both came home uninjured. This day, I'm happy to say, is not for them. Their day is Veterans Day. This day is for the men and women like my uncle, who paid the ultimate price, who gave their all.
My dad served in the Air Force. My uncle served in Vietnam. And my brother served in the Marines. He was sniper/recon and got bombed in Iraq with his men. He survived with damaged hearing and some brain trauma. He was rewarded a purple heart.
My husband retired last year CPO USN (SS) 21 years service Both my father in law and my father served in Korea and Dad in Vietnam. Shout out to our friends who have daughters at USNA, ROTC at ASU and sons at USAFA and those who have recently completed Bootcamp in Great Lakes.
My sweet son just got deployed to Qutar last week for six months...I'm freaking out but trying to hold it together...what did your husband think if it?
I'm with those who say it's the day for those who didn't make it back. As a vet (three years active, but during peacetime), it's nice to be recognized today. But inappropriate. But thanks to my Dad (WWII vet), and my sister (Iraq version 2.0 vet).
My papa, Stanley Abner Brown was a foot soldier who helped liberate Paris in WW2. When he died 15 years ago he still had shrapnel in his back from a bomb. God I miss him..
As to honoring those who served and didn't make it back, I honor my uncle who was in the artillery in the Pacific theater during WW II.
He slogged and marched it out through a number of island campaigns. He was a good and caring CO; his men counted on him to do the right thing.
He was shot and killed by a Japanese sniper AFTER the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The sniper was doing his duty as he knew it. My uncle was also doing his duty.
Can you blame either one? Was either privy to a higher knowledge of their country's ideological actions? Was either tasked or expected or protected with learning higher ethics outside their ordered duties?
A number of us mourn my uncle. We have no idea about the fate and future of his killer.
By the way, my father, the brother of the man killed, was a fighter pilot on the mission to protect the Enola Gay on its flight to Hiroshima.
Lots of twisted things here.
I doubt you could even come close to guessing my father's reasons for becoming a fighter pilot. [I also doubt few of us have the 'WHATEVER' to follow in that generation's path.]
And to add a comment based on long past connections, my family had an inside and 'secure' line to FDR. So actually my uncle and father knew exactly what they were getting in to and chose to follow an 'active duty/foreign theater' path instead of claiming stateside immunity due to some 'special' qualifications .
Dad was a Marine sgt. Props to dad!
ReplyDeleteThanks for risking your life, for our freedom
ReplyDeleteThanks for risking your life, for our freedom
ReplyDeleteAnyone who has served...
ReplyDeleteMy father spent 30 years in the Navy, did 3 tours in Nam, saved numerous civilians under fire in Ethiopia in the 70s, and was an all around great guy.
ReplyDeleteMy husband did 20 in the Army, and went under fire two tours each in Afghanistan and Iraq as a DOD Civilian. Got mortared a time or two and disabled a whole grunch of IEDs with the help of his robots.
My nephew did 20 in the Marines and got bombed on 9/11 at the Pentagon.
But - the soldier I want to honor today remains nameless by choice. He earned a Silver Star in Afghanistan - and brought home a mighty bad case of PTSD as a souvenir of the horror. For him, and all the others who came home walking wounded to a military health care system that didn't have the funds or facilities to give aid where needed - send your tax deductible donations to the Wounded Warrior project, and your time to the local Vet hospital.
Please share with those suffering from PTSD: do NOT take the Paxil/Prozac SSRIs b/c they enhance paranoia and can lead to tragic action.
DeleteI suffered frim severe PTSD for over a decade. I learned EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and was able to reduce my symptoms from *2000* out of 10 down to a 3 or 4 and sometimes zero.
Look up Gary Craig working with Vietnam Vets suffering for over 30 years from sleep dep and bad dreams and trauma. He was able to clear the trauma in a very short time.
PTSD saps the life out of you. But it is eminently treatable without drugs and is NOT a kifetime sentence. The VA knows about this low-cost, self-administered treatment option but apparently the policy is drugs an/or withholding ANY care for as long as possible.
My dad served in the Navy for over 20 years. Resigned in protest during Nixon's presidency. I could not be more proud of my dad for this.
I love them all, but my dad was in the Navy and served in Viet Nam and my moms was also in the Navy and ironically outranked Big Daddy, both at home and on base. Thank you to everyone for your sacrifice. Now, come on home.
ReplyDeleteThere are too many to thank here and not enough room to give credit to all the brave people that gave their lives for our country. Please dont think that you are not noticed or appreciated. I give thanks to you every night and day that i can live in freedom. You are a constant reminder that there was someone willing who took a bullet not just for me but for every american. So thank you with love.
ReplyDeleteI have a dad, step-dad and brother who are combat veterans and I thank them every day. But let's not forget that Memorial Day is for honoring those who died in service to our country, and the emphasis should be on them. I think we should honor veterans every day, and especially on Veterans Day, but on Memorial Day, let's pause for a moment to thank those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteMy dad served in WW 2, volunteered for for forward mission and was captured by germans. He was POW for like 26 months, which probably , ironically, saved his life. He won Gold star for bravery. To him and allWW 2 vets and all vets from every war, I say a humble thank you.
ReplyDeleteMy dad: Navy World War II and Korea.
ReplyDeleteJust went to his 81st Birthday Party yesterday to honor our wonderful neighbor:
ReplyDeleteHELMER, George Patrick, Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate, USCG (Extraordinary Heroism)
Date of Action: 29-30 April 1969
Date of Award: 08 December 1969
Senior Chief Petty Officer HELMER is cited for heroic conduct during the period 29 April to 30 April 1969 while serving as Officer in Charge, USCGC POINT WHITEHORN (WPB 82364) engaged in fire fighting operations for the naphtha-laden tanker MOBILE APEX in Limetree Bay, St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Despite the numerous explosions and raging fires, Senior chief Petty Officer HELMER skillfully maneuvered the POINT WHITEHORN alongside the MOBILE APEX to place an investigation team from USCGC COURAGEOUS (WMEC 622) aboard the burning tanker and remained in this hazardous position until the team was safely removed. Senior Chief Petty Officer HELMER demonstrated unusual initiative, fortitude, and heroic daring in spite of imminent personal danger throughout the mission. His unselfish actions, remarkable courage, and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.
We're a Navy family - My Grandfather, My dad, my brother, and now my niece who just passed her 2nd class evals and is now officially an MA2 or Master at Arms 2nd class. WOOHOO!!!! Go Navy!
ReplyDeleteI have had family serve in the Military since the Revolution and at this present moment have two nephews and 3 cousin serving. My wonderful great uncle and grandpa served in WWII in the Navy and then my daddy served 24 yrs in the Army and did 3 tours in Vietnam. He passed away in 1994 due to cancer from exposure to Agent Orange.
ReplyDeleteMy ex-husband and present husband were Marines.
I am very proud of the fact that I am an Army brat and that I was a Military spouse. Neither is an easy life but they were so rewarding.
Today is a day we honor those men and women who didn't make it home and they deserve all the glory and respect in the world! For without them who knows what our country would be.
My deceased stepfather volunteered 3 harrowing tours in Vietnam, the last two as an RN-Anesthetist (combat wound surgeries). There were a lot of M*A*S*H reruns in my house as a kid.
ReplyDeleteThe PTSD from all he saw ruined his life, it really did. He screamed in his sleep. Became an alcoholic.
My father was already in the National Guard way before the Vietnam draft escalated, just because he already had 2 kids, needed $, joined for the 2nd job. Low and behold, it lowered his draft number or whatever, and he didn't go. As a Guardsman though, my dad had to respond to lots of potential 'riots' (1960's protests). (NOT Kent State.)
My father's father had a whole lung removed as a child, so he was 4F for WW2. Already married with 2 kids, but during the war lived as one of the few fit-enough 20ish men in town for 3+ years. He enjoyed his advantage, and had a kid with another woman during that time. I only found that out way after he died.
Very few men in my family, and I know nothing about my mother's father. I know definitely that both sides had soldiers in the Union Army, so thank goodness I have SOME military service in my ancestry. Few men + a few coincidences means my family hasn't sacrificed like most did last century.
Thanks to all of you with family members who have served and especially those who've died for me and our awesome country.
God bless America and all our troops.
I pray for all who serve every night but would like to say a special word about my father-in-law. He and six others were shot down over the South China Sea. M.I.A. for over six months. The four survivors were found by the Chinese Army and traveled with them for five months till they were reunited with US forces. A wonderful man who is still best friends with the only other living survivor. A salute to the men who traveled that fearsome road with him and are now at rest.
ReplyDeleteLisa my dad also went to vietnam and died of agent orange cancer. I am so fortunate to be an army brat, was born at fort bragg, nc. My dad was a carrier army, 22 years, I am so proud of him and want to thank all the other mem and women who have served our country
ReplyDeleteI'd like to remember my uncle who died in Normandy in July 1944, of a sniper's bullet. He was my mother's younger brother, the only of her brothers to survive, however briefly, to adulthood. By all accounts -- including his Univ. of Georgia roommate, whom we discovered many years after my uncle's death -- he was a fine young man, always willing to help anyone. I was born a few years after he died, so I never knew him.
ReplyDeleteTwo of my three sons have served, one career Army, the other a single tour Air Force. Both were in Iraq at the same time. And, thank goodness, both came home uninjured. This day, I'm happy to say, is not for them. Their day is Veterans Day. This day is for the men and women like my uncle, who paid the ultimate price, who gave their all.
My dad served in the Air Force. My uncle served in Vietnam. And my brother served in the Marines. He was sniper/recon and got bombed in Iraq with his men. He survived with damaged hearing and some brain trauma. He was rewarded a purple heart.
ReplyDeleteMy husband retired last year CPO USN (SS) 21 years service
ReplyDeleteBoth my father in law and my father served in Korea and Dad in Vietnam.
Shout out to our friends who have daughters at USNA, ROTC at ASU and sons at USAFA and those who have recently completed Bootcamp in Great Lakes.
Super hubby was a Marine who went to Iraq :-) both my gramps served in WW2.
ReplyDeleteMy amazing husband who flies for the U.S. Air Force! He has been deployed to both Qatar and Afghanistan. I'm so proud of all he has accomplished! ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy sweet son just got deployed to Qutar last week for six months...I'm freaking out but trying to hold it together...what did your husband think if it?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm with those who say it's the day for those who didn't make it back. As a vet (three years active, but during peacetime), it's nice to be recognized today. But inappropriate. But thanks to my Dad (WWII vet), and my sister (Iraq version 2.0 vet).
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/bob.corso.7/posts/4272859479524?comment_id=3953443&offset=0&total_comments=6¬if_t=feed_comment
My uncle Louis Claude Tanner died in WWII. He was a Marine PFC who fell during the Battle of Peleliu. He was 19 years old.
ReplyDeleteMy papa, Stanley Abner Brown was a foot soldier who helped liberate Paris in WW2. When he died 15 years ago he still had shrapnel in his back from a bomb. God I miss him..
ReplyDeleteAs to honoring those who served and didn't make it back, I honor my uncle who was in the artillery in the Pacific theater during WW II.
ReplyDeleteHe slogged and marched it out through a number of island campaigns. He was a good and caring CO; his men counted on him to do the right thing.
He was shot and killed by a Japanese sniper AFTER the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The sniper was doing his duty as he knew it. My uncle was also doing his duty.
Can you blame either one? Was either privy to a higher knowledge of their country's ideological actions? Was either tasked or expected or protected with learning higher ethics outside their ordered duties?
A number of us mourn my uncle. We have no idea about the fate and future of his killer.
By the way, my father, the brother of the man killed, was a fighter pilot on the mission to protect the Enola Gay on its flight to Hiroshima.
Lots of twisted things here.
I doubt you could even come close to guessing my father's reasons for becoming a fighter pilot. [I also doubt few of us have the 'WHATEVER' to follow in that generation's path.]
And to add a comment based on long past connections, my family had an inside and 'secure' line to FDR. So actually my uncle and father knew exactly what they were getting in to and chose to follow an 'active duty/foreign theater' path instead of claiming stateside immunity due to some 'special' qualifications .
ReplyDeleteMy husband, MAJ Dan Husak (Army) and my dad, LTC Larry Potts (RET Air Force). Dan was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 04-05.
ReplyDelete