Those that have served

Doe Master · Post by **Doe Master** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:06 am

I was sitting here thinking there appears to be many whom have served their country or who`s family have served . Maybe I`m wrong but it would be nice to see and is a fitting tribute to family members who have served .
I`ll start it off .
I served 6 years regular force in the west coast Navy then 5 years reserve.

Tribute to my maternal grandfather. He served in the Canadian Navy during the Second World War .

Lady Di · Post by **Lady Di** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:27 am

To add to those mentioned there was my grandfather who served with the British navy, my father, second world war Canadian navy,my husband(old Buck) 5 yrs. with the Canadian navy and to carry on the tradition, Doemaster with the Canadian navy. In war and peace they along with thousands of other,were there.

TPM · Post by **TPM** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:36 am

My father served during WW II and both grandfathers during WW I.

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:08 am

I hope I don't offend anyone.

My paternal Grandfather was navy in WWI and an Uncle was navy in WWII.

My Dad was "front helper" at 14. At the end when they threw all the youngsters they had into the last futile efforts, he missed being slaughtered with his friends at the French front because a doctor who saw the writing on the wall sent him home on medical leave for a trivial reason. God bless him for saving that 14 yr old.

My maternal Grandfather was army in WWII but once he saw what it was all about he began to work covertly to save Jews. Once the war was over American soldiers would take him for days at a time, leave him tied to a tree, pretend to shoot him, then eventually return him home. After a while his health deteriorated from the ongoing exposure and abuse. He died when my Mom was still young.

I remember my Dad telling about seeing his first dead American - a pilot who'd crashed in the woods near his hometown village. He was amazed that the American was a young man, just like so many of his own friends. After all the propaganda they'd been fed it came as a surprise that Americans were just as human as he was.

After what they'd lived through in their youth, my parents never imagined they'd ever raise 3 Americans someday.

Nov. 11th always leaves me feeling conflicted. My heritage is the "losing side" so I grew up with a different perspective. History is written by the winners. I'm an American, and yet the Americans committed atrocities against my relatives.

This might sound sacrilegious, but I don't wear a poppy. I'm too conflicted. It feels it would somehow dishonor the sacrifice of my own family.

So on Nov. 11th I remember all who served and all who suffered and died in the awful machine of war, no matter what side they were on.

Galgo · Post by **Galgo** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:11 am

Appreciate all of your efforts and sacrifices.

F

dick195252 · Post by **dick195252** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:26 am

I served 4 Years U.S.M.C. Our Youngest Son 5 Years Army M.P. My Dad 2 Years Army. My Grandfathers both served in the Army.

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:56 pm

I served in the US Navy but spent most of my tour in the mojave desert at a weapons test center instead of on a ship. (Vietnam era)

My father was in the navy, too. He was in WWII from Pearl Harbor to the end of the war. He spent the entire war on the same ship - the USS Tennessee (battleship).

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:01 pm

Just under 4 years with the Canadian Forces and recently just got back from Afghanistan.

Bambiblaster · Post by **Bambiblaster** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:08 am

Me 6 yrs US Army

Father US Army 35 Yrs

Tks to all who served and are still serving

Hoss · Post by **Hoss** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:16 am

My Dad, Uncle and I are Marines. thanks to all of you that serve.

Mike P · Post by **Mike P** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:12 am

VixChix wrote: I'm too conflicted.

It never is easy is it Vix.

Wars are fought for various reasons, usually geography, religion and ideology. Of course when the wars are over you can look back and say none were really very good ideas.

Those of us that fought in those wars are not immune to also being conflicted. One learns a lot about ones self when one takes a human life. War is very ugly when it is up close and personal and you see the faces of the soldiers shooting at you and vice versa.

The way I look at it Vix, days dedicated to remembering all who have served do not discriminate by uniform or nationality. Soldiers die on both sides.

I like to think we are remembering all of them.

So wear your flower. You are honoring everyone who has donned the uniform regardless of country of origin.

Mike P
US Army

saxman · Post by **saxman** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:30 am

My Dad. D-Day 1st day 2nd wave 2nd rangers (point du hock)
Many of my uncles.
My daughter Kelly.82nd airborne, Fayettenam

God bless all who have and do serve

Rich · Post by **Rich** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:35 am

The 3 Richards, my dad served 20 years in the Navy, myself 30 years in the Navy and now my son 1.5 years Navy. He is currently in Afghanistan with the 2nd Marine Division.

Rich

Isis · Post by **Isis** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:29 pm

My father Petty officer, Royal navy.(Fleet air arm). He used to keep the guns tuned up on the planes.
Father-in-law Flight engineer Lancaster bomber Royal airforce.
Two uncles Royal navy.
One on minesweepers.
The other on a destroyer. He got torpedoed, rescued, and then torpedoed and rescued again, all in one day. In the indian ocean.
All servived the war.
Now they are all gone.

bkisel · Post by **bkisel** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 1:41 pm

Me, 4+ years USMC & Viet Nam vet.

Dad & Uncles WWII Army, Army Air Corps & Navy. Sadly

all have died and only have two Aunts still living from that generation. Oh how I miss all the "war stories" that were told over and over again.

Take care...