Memorial Day 2012

[BillyJoe]

Being from the Vietnam-War era, I often think about the dozens of friends and classmates that I lost in that conflict. Never more so, though, than on Memorial Day weekend. As I enjoy the liberties that they protected for this country, please accept my heartfelt condolences to those that have lost family and friends in any of the military conflicts since Vietnam, and know that I cherish the sacrifices that have been made by so many.  

[opalineopaline]

Billyjoe,I, too, am from the Vietnam-War era.  I second your sentiments.

[backsider]

I never understood the Vietnam war. We werent fighting for our country, we didnt go all out by any means (the politicians had our troops fighting with one hand behind their backs), and although millions more of those mosquitoes were wiped out than we lost and we won almost every battle, we ran away from the commies at the end in Saigon, thereby exposing all of our allies and N. Vietnamese spies to torture and execution.

Sorry Vietnam Vets, but while you babyboomers had to go through hell with that war and many ridiculed themselves by heading for Canada instead of being drafted to serve the president, it made no sense and was a huge waste of money and time.

Things are so different today with our troops and the wars they are fighting. They are honorably killing off those who would harm us over here and elsewhere, but for that they feel entitled to run to their doctors when they return and claim PTSD at the drop of a hat.

Our heroes from WWII would be rolling over in their graves if they knew about this newest sham. THOSE are the soldiers from that generation that were our greatest of the great.

[Eduardo]

I never understood the Vietnam war. We werent fighting for our country, we didnt go all out by any means (the politicians had our troops fighting with one hand behind their backs), and although millions more of those mosquitoes were wiped out than we lost and we won almost every battle, we ran away from the commies at the end in Saigon, thereby exposing all of our allies and N. Vietnamese spies to torture and execution.

Sorry Vietnam Vets, but while you babyboomers had to go through hell with that war and many ridiculed themselves by heading for Canada instead of being drafted to serve the president, it made no sense and was a huge waste of money and time.

Things are so different today with our troops and the wars they are fighting. They are honorably killing off those who would harm us over here and elsewhere, but for that they feel entitled to run to their doctors when they return and claim PTSD at the drop of a hat.

Our heroes from WWII would be rolling over in their graves if they knew about this newest sham. THOSE are the soldiers from that generation that were our greatest of the great.
 You really are shameless, aren't you?  Let us all be thankful for ALL of our veterans who have given their lives or gone to war in the service of this great nation so that we can have the freedom that we enjoy today. Now we honor the fallen, who paid a far greater price than any of us have for the good of our countrymen.

[Lucky Larry]

billyjoe,
Thanks for initiating this tribute. I too, remember some of those from high school who didn't return. For all who have served our country and those who serve it now our prayers and thanks. Until we have walked in their boots we can't not know what they have sacrificed.

[backsider]

Not shameless Ed. I just dont see any comparison to the great sacrifices and heroism of our greatest generation (according to Tom Brokaw and seconded by me). Vietnam vets were in a no-win situation whether they were killed, wounded, or came home in tact. From my readings, people just didnt like them for fighting that useless, wasteful war. And WHO isnt sick and tired of listening to the "babybomers" and all their 60s music, and how the hippies had it all figured out.

Today the service is all about the money and how to cash in on personal tragedy. We have a saying around here for PTSD, Put That Syringe Down! I see it every day. A soldier returns from a tour after seeing his colleague blown apart right next to him. Its a guaranteed PTSD claim, meaning added benefits, a possible lump sum government payout, and a pass from getting a job. Now just imagine what our real heroes from the Great War and WWII had to endure. Your buddy getting killed next to you? Try THIRTY buddies. Or maybe TWO HUNDRED FIFTY! Then come home to what? PTSD claims and a free ride for years because of it? Yeah right. Back then a man was a man.

[Eduardo]

Not shameless Ed. I just dont see any comparison to the great sacrifices and heroism of our greatest generation (according to Tom Brokaw and seconded by me). Vietnam vets were in a no-win situation whether they were killed, wounded, or came home in tact. From my readings, people just didnt like them for fighting that useless, wasteful war. And WHO isnt sick and tired of listening to the "babybomers" and all their 60s music, and how the hippies had it all figured out.Today the service is all about the money and how to cash in on personal tragedy. We have a saying around here for PTSD, Put That Syringe Down! I see it every day. A soldier returns from a tour after seeing his colleague blown apart right next to him. Its a guaranteed PTSD claim, meaning added benefits, a possible lump sum government payout, and a pass from getting a job. Now just imagine what our real heroes from the Great War and WWII had to endure. Your buddy getting killed next to you? Try THIRTY buddies. Or maybe TWO HUNDRED FIFTY! Then come home to what? PTSD claims and a free ride for years because of it? Yeah right. Back then a man was a man.  I guess I know better men than you. They still exist. Men who have gone to war and return to care for their families, the families of the friends they lost, and their communities. I'm sorry your particular exposure to those who have served has made you so jaded. There are plenty of real heros in the world today. And you know what? Today's wars are real wars, with real bombs and real death. Has a soldier who gives his life today really sacrificed any less than a soldier in WW2? What more can one give? And there are those who return who genuinely suffer, for whom the least appropriate response is any sort of mockery, disdain, or calling them any less than a man.

[backsider]

I dont put down the sacrifices of todays servicemen by any stretch of the imagination. Its just a different world, one based on what the soldier can get for free vs. why they did it in the past.

I rank these heroes in my mind based on the wars and what they had to deal with, and I also appreciate greatly what those who serve but dont fight are doing for our country. The greatest generation is without a doubt our WWII veterans. Many of them had to go to Korea, and that was the first war we fought with one hand tied behind our backs. Vietnam was a confusing, wasteful war and those guys & gals had good reason to come home screwed up and unappreciated. It had nothing to do with preserving our freedom or rights, and everything to do with politics.

Todays wars are all about the money as I already said, and there is no greater hero than that pro football player who gave up millions to fight for us and was killed by friendly fire. We have his picture on our wall and his name is Pat Tillman as I look at it right now with a tear in my eye.

I guess its easy to just say thanks to all vets on a weekend like this, but I like to break it down a little more than that. There should never be any wars anyway, and if we keep this nonsense up on this planet, we all will someday pay.

[edog743]

Backsider I somewhat agree with you. You being there you have a better perspective than most of us. Pat tillman was an extraordinary individual who payed the ultimate sacrifice for his country. As far as the soldiers coming home today with phantom injuries both mental and physical as I said you would know better than me. But let us not forget about the kids that have and will come home in flag draped coffins. And by the way Backsider thank you for your service.

[BillyJoe]

UNBELEIVABLE !!
All I can say is that, to my knowledge, no one was ever asked what type of conflict they would like to serve in. It is the SERVING that is noble.
It makes me sad to think that anyone in this country would choose to 'rank' the level of sacrifice that our young people have made, and continue to make.