8 replies to this topic

[fatdave]

Today is memorial day in the U.S. and I would like to offer my thanks to everyone here that has served in the armed forces. Not just the Americans,but anyone who has served their respective Country.

I know that the day was created to remember those lost in service, but I like to thank any Veteran whether they served in peace or at times of war. So many of my generation see the military as below them.

So, thank you and please know that some people respect you for your service.

And if any Veterans are in st.louis and want a bit of BBQ stop by, theres always room for more at my table.

[StillFingers]

Dave, I usually spend the day quietly, our flag proudly displayed, remembering my father, those who have not returned, those that have and those still standing strong through out this crazy world of ours.

Indeed, for all the men and women through out the world that have and do protect, a big shout out, THANK YOU and may you find your way home safely.

[edlee]

As a veteran, I appreciate your gratitude,,, and would like to add mine, for those young men and women who are now in harm's way.

Whether or not one agrees with the reasons behind their deployment,, the fact that they VOLUNTEERED to defend us, should never be overlooked.
ed

[DaveP]

As a British "Veteran", I'd like to ask you Yanks to stop shooting and bombing us!

[StillFingers]

DaveP, on May 26 2009, 02:34 PM, said:

As a British "Veteran", I'd like to ask you Yanks to stop shooting and bombing us!

I wasn't aware we were, hmmmm I'll Google just to make sure we haven't declared war on another country...geez.

[HiltonP]

I always have mixed feelings about these celebrations.
They bring back bad memories.

I had friends and colleagues who died fighting for SA in the 80's.
They were supposedly keeping Communism at bay, or so we were told.
Then suddenly in the 90's we were told (by the same people) that the enemy was now our friend.
So now we have a government made up of acknowledged Communists (which the US, and UK, love b.t.w.).

So what did my friends die for?

[greybeard]

HiltonP, on May 27 2009, 09:45 AM, said:

So what did my friends die for?

The usual thing. - So one set of politicians could claim that they were right, and that another lot were wrong.

And.......both lots claiming that some god was on their side (also as usual).

Don't get me wrong. I have tremendous respect for all our service personnel who have volunteered to serve to protect us, and profound regret for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

But I have nothing but utter contempt for the politicians who make them necessary.

[fatdave]

I am sorry for your loss Hilton, I too have lost friend and family to war.

I don't celebrate that they lost their life, I try to remember them.

I may not agree with the wars or conflicts that cause the deaths of some many women and men. but I do support them. No matter where they are from I have a place in my heart for any person that fought for their country.

If they have lost their life in while serving, I am truly sorry.

I hope I never see what my uncle went through when he returned from Vietnam. No matter what your stance, please remember the people that fought, served and may have lost their life. Because someone told them to there and fight a enemy they didn't know.

I was raised in a family that was expected to serve. I could not.

DaveP and Edlee, Thank you for your service. Even if I don't agree with you I still respect your service.

Edited by fatdave, 27 May 2009 - 09:06 AM.

[HiltonP]

greybeard, on May 27 2009, 09:00 AM, said:

HiltonP, on May 27 2009, 09:45 AM, said:

So what did my friends die for?

The usual thing. - So one set of politicians could claim that they were right, and that another lot were wrong. And.......both lots claiming that some god was on their side (also as usual). Don't get me wrong. I have tremendous respect for all our service personnel who have volunteered to serve to protect us, and profound regret for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. But I have nothing but utter contempt for the politicians who make them necessary.

I am watching a fascinating series on BBC called "Voices of WW1".
It is a series of interviews done in the 90's with the last living servicemen of WW1.

What makes it more fascinating is studying up on the more modern history of WW1, and seeing how, in contrast to the incredible suffering of these men, their politicians and senior personnel treated them with utter contempt (both during and after the war). We now know that Germany didn't want the war (nor did England, or France, or Russia). It started in the Balkans, and should have stayed there. The public was duped into war (sound familiar?), and thanks to the white feather campaign men were shamed into signing up and marching off to their deaths.

My concern is how do we reconcile the celebration of such a day.

If we take the Vietnam War for example . . . The sacrifice of US troops is celebrated in the US. But on the other side of the world, in Vietnam, the sacrifice of North Vietnamese troops is also celebrated. So both sides celebrate the fight against the enemy. Both believe they were fighting for the side of right. Should we not rather be celebrating human stupidity?