I notice up beside several members names it lists them as being a U.S. veteran. Some beside their avatar, or off to the right side, some have listed their branch of service.

I'm a "U.S". veteran too, (A F) but my questions is.......

Are there, or how many of you might be a veteran, but it was not in the U.S. service?

Too. I wonder if a person who went in for a haircut, or a free meal today, could get the same if they went in and said, "I'm here to celebrate Armistice day"?

I can remember when it was celebrated as Armistice day. That was a big deal in my ole home town. The parade down main street, then on out to the cemetery to honor the fallen veterans.. Some of the veterans would were in their old uniforms (if they still could), some would just march in their civies. Kids along the sides would be waving their little flags...As the colors would pass, everyone would either remove the caps, or place their right hand over their heart..

Out at the cemetery, there would either be the little flags marking their graves, or there would be the little brass emblems, some had/have their service scribed on their stone.

After the 21 gun salute, and the playing of taps, some of us little kids (boys) would scramble around the area where the 21 gun salute was fired, to try and find some of the spent shells to make a whistle out of them..(Remember doing that?)

For the longest time, I can remember, when ever I got the chance to be in the garage of one of my dad's sisters, her husband had one of those Kaiser's hats, (those little spiked helmets) and a sword from WW I he had brought back. Those Kaiser hats were/are sure goofy little things.

Well, things have come a long way since Lincoln's Gettyburg address, honoring the cemetery and the fallen soldiers. (I know, Armistice day came after WW I)




WuzzFuzz

Well if you look at many of the members here you'll note that quite a few of them have served in the military. I was in the navy from 1964 to 1970 during that time the navy was in the south china sea making life miserable for the guys in the black pj's and funny hats. Frank

I am a veteran of Vietnam, the son of a WWII and Korea vet and the father of a Desert Storm vet. I have led a low-profile life when it came to most all veterans events. I remember the reception upon return from Vietnam.

So, today, I pushed myself to get up and attend a local ceremony in the town we chose to purchase a home in and live in during our last years. It was like going back through a time-warp, a good one.

Almost two-hundred people were at the town's Veterans Memorial. Two class-rooms from the local elementary school were there, too. The mayor gave the welcome, a preacher gave the invocation, color-guard from the Sheriff Office presented the colors, a local lady sang The Star Spangled Banner and Amazing Grace. The Sheriff gave his speech acknowledging veterans. A local gent sang Lee Greenwood's song, Proud To Be An American and a medley of songs including God Bless America. Taps were played by a member of the color-guard and the mayor had all veterans present come forward and become a receiving-line for those others there to extend their thanks for our service.

While in line, I got to stand next to a WWII veteran whose walk was slow, but his grip firm and his salute crisp. I was honored to stand next to him. The children from the school came through the line and presented each veteran there a red, white and blue pendant they had made for each of us. It was a moving day and the old vet next to me made a comment, "Well, at least no whiners were here today to complain about the songs, the program or the event itself or that it was racist. I guess there is hope."

Yessir, it was a moving day and a pure show of old-time Americana. Happy Veterans Day to those that have served or are currently serving. Hand-salute.

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GA Carry member
Vietnam Vet