Hey, all! My aunt asked me to post some of my Army uniform pictures on FaceBook, since tomorrow is Veteran's day. I managed to find 3, so I thought I'd share them here, too, and give the other Vets a place to share their service memories.

These were taken (for my Mama) just after I got out in August of '92.



I'd like to thank all the other Vets, from every branch, for their service, and my continuing freedom, and take a moment to remember those who gave their lives for us.

 

I just want to say thank you.

 

I served in the Army from July of 04 - March of 09, 3rd BCT 101st Airborne..Rakkasans..I did a two combat tours in Iraq.

I would like to thank All the veterans before me, during my time, and the ones to come. I would also like to share a moment of silence for the once that gave the greatest sacrifice and were never able to return home.

 

Although I'm not myself a veteran, my Dad served in WWII in Europe in the Army Air Corp. Dad will be 94 in 2 months. Here is a pic of him taken a couple of years ago in his uniform. Some people say the eradication of the Jews and the concentration camps never happened. Dad helped the Jews out of one of the death camps (the name escapes me right now). He saw with his own eyes the death showers, the mass graves, the naked and nothing but nones survivers, and those that didn't. Those memories of that horrible place, the things seen, the smells, have never left him. Although they are not talked about,the memories are still there. War is a terrible thing.



A BIG THANKS to ALL of you here who have served our country in the armed forces, whether at war or in peace. THANK YOU and may God bless everyone of you.

Have a GREAT day my veteran friends.

 

Very nice, Tiffany! Airborne!

Attached pic is of me and my old boss at my retirement ceremony last summer. Until then I was Airborne. Now I'm 'Chairborne!' Hooah!

RocknSS, I love the shot of your Dad in uniform. Every time I talk to an old Vet from that era I feel like a wus. I can't imagine what they went through.

During almost 22 years of service, I got to see the best and worst of human nature, sometimes in the same day. After returning from Somalia in '93, I realized that at 29 years old, I had already done more things, been more places, helped more people than most folks would in 2 or 3 lifetimes. Overall my time in the Army was a great experience. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I loved being a soldier.

That being said, I'm really lovin' being a civilian again! The worst part is having to think about what to wear to the office. My wife always joked that she would have to 'Garanimal' my wardrobe - put matching animal stickers on clothes that match so I wouldn't embarrass her. What a kidder. (Wife: Are you wearing THAT today? Me: Uhhh, no of course not Dear, just seeing if it fits...)

My hats off to all the other Vets out there in MCF-Land. Have a great day.

 

Great Pictures, and a Great Thread, Thank You to all the Veterans who served this great country of ours to give us our Freedoms!

Joe

 

Great pictures, Rockn and Sparky.

Sparky, I agree with you about old soldiers. I know I'm a Veteran, I did a tour in Saudi during Desert Storm, and a Patriot battery even shot a Scud missile down over our compound (while I was in the shower, and a 5' piece landed about 3 yards from the shower I was in) but I didn't DO anything I feel was particularly brave. I was never in any firefights, didn't have any IEDs blow up near me, so I know I had it easy compared to those who served in earlier wars, AND those who are over there now.

 

I was never in any branch of the military. But like many members here, I have many family that served in WWII and WWI. Also, a number of employees where I work are over in Afghanistan right now.

I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who have put their life on the line so we can live in a free country!

 

I was active duty from August 1989-August 1992, in 188th Ord. Co. 2/52 ADA with the XVIII Airborne Corps out of Ft. Bragg, NC. Then I was AZ National Guard from September 1992-July 1993, and TN National Guard from July 1993 to May 1997.

I'm entitled to wear either the 18th Airborne Corps "Gaggin' Dragon" or the 11th ADA (out of Ft. Bliss TX, that's who we went "over there" with) as my combat patch. I prefer my Dragon. :-)

Thanks for the recognition, guys. I had a love/hate relationship with my service, hated it while I was in, miss it like hell now.

 

Gives a way my age a bit. But i was in during the bay of pigs. When Russia was trying to put misscles in Cuba. U.S. Navy reitred. Boatswain mate 3rd class 61 / 64. Give Thanks to all that served. Tiffany. Don't say you didn't do anything. You put your LIFE on the LINE 24/7 for all of us. And I THANK YOU! I salute you. whoooo ah