Veteran's Day

[Pink Bat Max]

To all veterans on this board:

Thank you for your service.

[Batman1983]

You all do what I never could* and for that I thank you all!






*More so because I'd likely be a homicidal maniac after seeing real combat (or go the other way and invert mentally). Also bad knees, asthma, and a few other things.

[Sabrinaset]

Yeah, Monday, both Mom AND Daddy ALWAYS take out the uniforms and smile when they discover they still fit into 'em! And Mom went on a huge diet this Summer too. Meanwhile, big brother always calls home and says hi!

Yeah ... military family here!

[Grazzt]

Thank you veterans. In particular, thank you Grampa. I've always been inspired by stories of you.

[rick]

On behalf of those of us who have served or who are serving now, you're welcome.

[Batman1983]

I know what you mean, Grazzt. My grandfather and his brother left Germany and fought for US, both for a better life and because it was the right thing to do. Still burns me that their sister's husband got to come here after the war and live out his stinkin' Nazi days at peace in a suburb. Not that the old hoot was still waving the flags or anything, but he did still blame the Jews for everything.

Back to happy: I may never have met my grandfather*, but his brother is a great guy that always tried to make up for his absense when my brother and I were kids. Still remember he'd give us $2 each (back when you could buy an action figure for $2) before he and the wife would leave. STill it was the visits that were always the best. I've got a lot of friends from childhood in Iraq right now and though I don't still have contact with them I sure appreciate them too.



*grandpa died of Lou Gerric's and cancer a year before I was born. Not because of WWII.

[Charles RB]

To every veterans of the United Kingdom armed forces and every veteran of every nation who was alongside us in wartime - cheers.

And to my grandfathers, who respectively served as a soldier in Her Majesty's forces and who crossed the Irish border to work for the RAF when he didn't have to - you are remembered, always.

[heystacy]

Indeed thanks for your service veterans everywhere.

[Cam63]

My undying gratitude, ladies and gentlemen.

...and the Aussies !

[KevinTBrown]

Having two grandsons (step-grandsons actually) who served in the Navy, I definitely have a new appreciation for the day.

[Major Comma]

thanks to to all the veterans including my father rest well, you have all earned it .

[Grazzt]

Out of curiousity, where else do people celebrate Veteran's Day (or Remembrance Day, or whatever equivalent holiday you may have) with poppies?

[Liberty Belle Fan]

Much appreciation to those who served faithfully in the service of the U.S.A!

[a. non]

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few -Winston Churchill

We can never thank you enough.

[Charles RB]

Out of curiousity, where else do people celebrate Veteran's Day (or Remembrance Day, or whatever equivalent holiday you may have) with poppies?

According to Wikipedia, it's done in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Sri Lanka, and South Africa & Malta call it Poppy Day so I presume they use it too.

A Canadian war museum website (http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/remember/flandersfields_e.html) says it's "the recognized symbol of remembrance for war dead in... the countries of the British Commonwealth", so I'm guessing many other Commonwealth nations who have Remembrance Day have the poppy too.

[Alex L]

Out of curiousity, where else do people celebrate Veteran's Day (or Remembrance Day, or whatever equivalent holiday you may have) with poppies?

How do you do that?

[Cam63]

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few -Winston Churchill

We can never thank you enough.

" This farkin' stew is more farkin' fly than farkin' cow. " An Australian digger appraising his luncheon at Gallipoli, 1915.

[Cam63]

How do you do that?

Poppies are the flower of choice on Remembrance Day, due to them being blood red to match the blood lost.

[Pia Guerra]

The wearing of poppies on Remembrance Day was inspired by a poem written by a Canadian medic in 1915 during a lull in fighting. He witnessed the death of a friend the day before. Poppies grew in profusion where war dead were buried and it became a symbol of the sacrifice made.


In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army


IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.


Remembrance Day is a very solemn occasion in the common wealth and not only remembers Veterans but all those who died in war.

[Cam63]

Nice one, Pee.

[hellokittykat]

Everybody grab a Vet and hug 'em.:)
Thank you to Veterans everywhere.