Memorial Day -- Poll for military vets

[basketcase]

On Memorial Day, I am always reminded that freedom is not free, and that military service is an honorable tradition in our American history.

So I'm curious to know where the members of our motorcycling community served.

Semper Fi.

[lorazepam]

I served in the Air Force. I agree that it is an honorable tradition, and my family has experienced loss in the past due to military service.
I highly respect those who do serve. I may not agree with the politics, but I always honor those who will go where the ones making the decisions don't have to. :clap :clap :thumb :rocker

[GSTom]

I was in the Air Force. Stationed at RAF Upper Heyford, England from 1973-1976.

[Rich]

I am also curious now that you ask the question, but how can the rest of us see the results of the poll when we can't vote? Can you add a "no military experience" option to the poll?

Thanks.

[Rich]

I forgot to add, THANK YOU to all the veterans out there who have served for our country! You are very much appreciated! I was planning on joining the marines right out of high school, but I let a thing called love get in the way. I don't regret it, I married that wondeful woman and we have four great children. Not many high school sweethearts make it as far as we have anymore. But I do sometimes think about what my life would have been like had I joined to serve this great country. Again, thank you so much for your service.

Rich

[BMWBeauty]

Originally posted by Rich
I am also curious now that you ask the question, but how can the rest of us see the results of the poll when we can't vote? Can you add a "no military experience" option to the poll?

Thanks.

Rich, I think if you click on view results you will see how it is broken down by the different branchs of the military and the number of votes by branch.....
I likewise did not serve, but my best friend and confidant served 21 years with the Air Force. I have family members that have served in every branch with the exception of the Coast Guard...
I highy respect the men and women of this nation that have served.....My niece is presently serving...
I have respect for the fallen hero's who fought for the freedom we have.....
On this Memorial Day Today......A Well Deserved Thank You To All The Men And Women That Served Past And Present......:clap :clap

[gambrinus]

4 years in the 82d Abn Div for me. 1985 - 1989. I managed to slide in just about the only 4 yr window over the past 20ys that you could do without being deployed. I got there about 18 months after Grenada, and I left for college about 2 weeks before my unit went to Panama. Was trained to be infantry but served most of my time in an intel office (save the jokes, I've heard ALL of them)

Cheers to all the vets

RW

[Rich]

Originally posted by BMW Beauty
Rich, I think if you click on view results you will see how it is broken down by the different branchs of the military and the number of votes by branch.....


Thanks, I didn't see that until you mentioned it. :snore

[Fang]

USAF: 2/62 thru 2/66.

[manicmechanic]

Ten years in the Yacht club, 3 different ships. First ship was the last active ship based in Brooklyn. I saw the WTC under construction, never got a chance to get back to see it finished.

I guess I should be proud to have served, and in a way I am. It was during the Viet Nam years, but I didn't get there. It still bothers me the way vets were treated during that time. I remember being told NOT to wear my uniform in various places, for my own protection.

The Run for the Wall happened yesterday, I guess. How many poseurs were there? Reminds me of last year, when a Medal of Honor winner showed up. Reports are that because he wasn't riding a certain brand of bike, he couldn't ride at the front, where he belonged. So saying we honor those who put their lives on the line, or were willing to, is one thing. Showing it is another. By the way, most CMH awards are posthumous.

[gambrinus]

Every year the 82d holds an event called "All American Week", sort of a reunion for old troopers. The first year I was there all the young guys got read the riot act that went something like this: "This is a picture of a CMH. IF you happen to see an old trooper wearing one, he is to be treated as GOD on earth. End of story. He is walking around with balls bigger than your head. He has commited an act of bravery in the service of his country that SHOULD have gotten him killed. This is a picture of a set of combat jump wings... same treatment applies. Any questions?" I know that Marines get that same level of respect for old vets drilled into their heads.. I just can't imagine a CMH winner being treated like that.. I can BET you that it didn't happen within ear shot of a paratrooper or a marine.

[Rhino]

Semper Fi to you Rick. I'm a little late to reply but yesterday was the first Memorial Day I have spent out of uniform in 22 years. My wife and I traveled to NJ to spend the weekend with my parents.

As I wrestled with feelings and memories I was really shaken when a teenager relative responded to my question about the meaning of Memorial Day. His answer was "The Benies head south and the Firefighters get a day off."

I guess after 12 deployments, 5 yrs overseas, Beirut, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom the Firefighters deserve a day off.

Semper Fi
Best wishes to all that have served and still serve!
USMC 1982-2004

Doug

[ScottM]

I retired from the Air Force in '97 after 24 years. Last 12 years were spent in Special Ops in Europe.

My oldest is now in the Air Force - Intel. My second son just got back from Iraq. 82nd Airborne.

Yes we do believe the sacrifice we make is worth the freedom we enjoy.

[Garth]

Semper Fi Rick, from '70-73. Not a good time to be a grunt.

[sgborgstrom]

As I wrestled with feelings and memories I was really shaken when a teenager relative responded to my question about the meaning of Memorial Day. His answer was "The Benies head south and the Firefighters get a day off."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This sounds like a teenager in real need of some education. As a career firefighter I can say with certainty Memorial Day is NOT a day off. Our services are available 24/7 365 days a year... the only thing you as a citzen need to worry about when dialing 911 is whether or not we can get to you in 6 minutes or less. But that is the subject for another thread.

To all those who served in the military (willingly or not) I can only say "thank you"

Steve

[DonHamblin]

Remember those who went before,
and keep those in your heart who will in the future
because they do it for us all.

Don
(US 56 436 054 Class of 1969)

[lorazepam]

One thing people also need to remember is that over two thirds of the firefighters in this country are Volunteer. That's right, they do it for free to help our communities. When you are fighting fires, and fighting to stay afloat with old equipment because levies are not passed to help, it takes a special dedication to stick it out. I thank all the volunteers as well as the pros.

[bmwmick]

Guess I'm a little late for Memorial Day. :snore

Air Force 1968-1972 3 years 11 months 27 days. Spent the entire time learning electronics and evaluating Launch Crews as they test fired Minuteman missiles downrange from Vandenberg AFB. :clap

Mick

[jdcoffman]

USN That would be the Navy. Four years 71-75 Uss Ticonderoga CVS14 and USS Rathburne FF1057. Was in during Vietnam but never deployed there. It was while stationed in San Diego riding around on my Honda 250xl I first learnd about BMW's I actually went on a group ride with some club we headed for some small Mexican town East of San-Diego. I envied a guy on a Honda 750 but was informed to watch the guy on the 750 Beemer. It looked sweet and so what if the cylinders are hanging out kinda funny.
Poor little honda It almost didn't make it but the guys on the real bikes never let me out of their site.

[Kenn45]

I retired from the Air Force in '94 after 27 years. Vietnam, Korea, and 3 tours in Germany for a total of 14 years there. I also had a hardship tour of more than 5 years in the Pentagon. I wouldn't trade a minute of it. The very worst was great.

[docb]

I'm a retiree doing some temporary duty at a VA hospital in Oregon. Last weekend there was a celebration and an honoring of those who have served in the armed forces.

We had an airshow at the local airport with members of the Oregon Warbirds providing the excitement. I've always loved the Mustang. The Warbirds brought out three P-51D's. I bought a ride in one of them. That was an experience to remember! Low passes over the field, aeileron rolls right and left and formation flying with the other two aircraft. Other passengers included men who had flown the planes in WWII.

What a debt we owe to them. And what a debt we owe to all who flew these planes and fought and died to preserve our freedom. And what a wonderful loud noise these planes made on the fly-by! It raised up the hairs on the back of my neck.

Today on Flag Day, I remember them and what my country means to me.

[R75_7]

U.S. ARMY! About 7 years, 1988-1995. First six months at the lovely Fort Dix, NJ. Then 4 years in Mannheim, Germany. While I was ther I had the good fortune to travel through Europe. I also was there to see the Berlin wall fall. I also was deployed from there to The Gulf War Part 1 for about six months. Then to the beautiful Fort Polk, LA for about 2 years. I was deployed from there to Somalia for about six months also. I made to the Rank of SGT E5 after about 4 years(which was a goal of mine). I love this country more then my own life. Sometimes I feel guilty about not being over there right now. We got it soo good.
God Bless The Soldiers!

[Rhino]

One thing people also need to remember is that over two thirds of the firefighters in this country are Volunteer.

Funny, I don't remember being drafted... The military has been all volunteer for awhile!

Are there any members out there who caught the tail end of the draft and beginning of all volunteer service? I joined in 1982 so I missed the transition.

Doug

[R75_7]

His quote would also imply that 1/3 of the Firefighters are drafted. Have Firefighters ever been drafted?:dunno

[JetDoc]

21 + years Air Force active duty service from 1967 to 1988. Viet-Nam; Thailand; Puerto Rico; Alaska and several stateside assignments as a Security Policeman and Civil Engineer.

Oh yes... after I retired from the service I used the GI Bill to go to college and get an A&P license and a degree in aviation maintenance management.