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I arrived in country in 1968. A young man but well trained. I had protested the Vietnam war while in college. My world seemed to turn upside down when I received that letter saying “Greetings.’ I had been drafted into the Army. After months of training, I was sent to Vietnam and assigned to the 82nd Airborne division. I could no longer protest….I had to learn how to survive.

Shouts of “MEDIC…MEDIC”….The memories of such events are still there even after 45 years. It seems like only yesterday. Vietnam, in a jungle/ rubber plantation area called Hobo Woods next to the Cambodian border. Infested with Viet Cong and a number of NVA regulars with tunnels all over the place.

Being not familiar with the area, several companies were drawn into ambushes and fire fights almost immediately. The 82nd Airborne and 25th infantry took on casualties. It was the first major taste of combat and a bitter one at that. The area was so dense that shots and mortars came from nowhere…just about everyone was scared for themselves and their buddies. A mortar round landed about 10 meters from two squads and two soldiers went down. Then the point man was hit by a burst of AK47 ammo. He was wounded badly. The company medic crawled over to him but it was too late. He died there in the arms of my fellow soldiers. He was only 19 yrs. old.

This ugly face of war has gone on thousands of years and since 1776 our country has lost so many brave men and women. This day, Memorial Day, is a reminder of the soldiers that made the ultimate sacrifice.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to all Americans that died while in military service.

Major U.S. War Casualties U.S. Deaths Wounded Date
Iraq War 4,800 31,965 2003 – 2011
Afghanistan 2,175 9,971 2001 – Present
Gulf War 258 849 1990 – 1991
Vietnam War 58,209 153,303 1955 – 1975
Korean War 36,516 92,134 1950 – 1953
World War II 405,399 670,846 1941 – 1945
World War I 116,516 204,002 1917 – 1918
Civil War 625,000 281,881 1861 – 1865
American Revolutionary War 25,000 25,000 1775 – 1783
All U.S. Conflict Casualites U.S Deaths Wounded Missing
Grand Total 1,343,812 1,529,230 38,159

As we acknowledge Memorial Day, there will be many Americans happy to have a day off, have cook-outs, bar-be-cues and gathering with friends and relatives. Due to our educational system, school and college K*ds will be doing their thing with few knowing what this day is really about. The sad truth is that vast majority of these Americans will give hardly a thought, if any, to the hundreds of thousands of men and women who lost their lives while serving this country.

As will other vets on this forum, I will pay my personal tributes to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Our fallen heroes deserve our remembering them.

Well said. +1

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"If you dont think women are explosive,....drop one."

Never forget, USNavy 1960-1963

i think its evident in the lack of response to any information of this sort.
i will take it a step further and say that many people have abject hatred for our military men and women.
hardly a day goes by where i don't see some video clip or small sampling of an actual or supposed misdeed blown up to condemn all service people.
i truly fear that what once made our country great will never be again. we have given it away without a shot being fired.

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

Many of my family have served this country proudly. God bless them and all of you that have served.

kr

As a Vietnam Era veteran and Gulf War Era having been within hours of each of going to both and having orders changed . I feel the loss and sacrifice that each an every one that gave their lives for our Great Country. Being a Patriot willing to put yourself in harms way to protect our freedom is great ! Today is the day we salute the ones who gave their all.

I can't say I agree with that. I do not know your age so I do not know what era you grew up in. I served in the military 1957-1961 and never had any overt animosity come my way when folks or prospective employers heard I had been in the military. I was treated with respect just as returning vets from WWII and Korea were.

That certainly changed just a few years later when the U.S. became heavily involved in Vietnam and returning service members were subjected unspeakable insults and unjustified criticism. For the first time in our history, a far as I know, the majority of Americans were opposed to the war their government had gotten involved in and rather then vent their displeasure on those politicians they chose to unfairly take their anger out on our soldiers, sailors and airmen.

That changed after the attacks on the United States on 911. Since that time the military are once again held in respect by the average American. At least I would like to think so.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I am a veteran as well. never fought in any war though. so i don't really consider what today is all about to be about me. i think it is for those that put it all on the line and in some cases gave all.
what i was actually referring to is the current disdain the media, internet and youth tend to look at those who serve as lowlife murderers. its everywhere. and it makes me sick.
i was on another site that a guy posted a video of a tank rolling over a car in iraq. he called the guys fags and how dare they. well i have no idea what transpired prior to that moment so i tend to give a break to our men especially given that awful environment. it was a clip and the narration was that they US servicemen had destroyed the car because they were looters.
many campuses will not even allow recruiting on campus. its as if they detest the defenders of the very freedom they are allowed.
i just have a real problem with that. no country has done more for the citizens of this earth and while imperfect to be sure i think they have earned the benefit of the doubt.
as Circus listed the numbers don't lie. no other country in the history of mankind gave so much.

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

I t's not just the loss of life or the loss of a personal limb or body function by our fellow brothers and sisters in arms. It is more to memorialize the spirt of every single service man or woman who answered the call from their country. To give of themselves so that others may enjoy the freedoms so many take for granted. The right to disagree with our government without reprisal. The right to choose life's little things. So if you wore the uniform with respect, honor for all that came before and all that will come after you. You are deserving the honor of the day.

My family.

Father Navy medical corp man. Two tours Viet Nam. 60% disabled service connected.
Me Air Force SP. 70% disabled service connected.
Brother Army Tank Mechanic.
Sister Air Force Logistics. 100% disabled service connected.
Sister Air Force Logistics.
Brother Army Tank Mechanic. 100% disabled service connected.

We believe freedom is never free. It always takes men and women of courage to earn it and keep it.

My respect to all who served in war time or not.

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May the force be with you my CRT Jedi.

the best gift one can give to the fallen military that were duped into losing thier lives in wars we should have never gotten involved in.

GET RID of the crooks in office

the same people that lie and mislead the american public

the same people that allowed our financial integrity be flushed down the toilet

its disgusting and even more disgusting that the people have allowed it

LAdiablo:

Sadly, I have to agree with you in some regard.

There are still brave soldiers that watch our back but the era of American forces strength is becoming weak. We now have a leadership problem in this country. As soldiers, we were told not to leave anyone behind. That appeared lost with the Benghazi attack that cost four American lives including our Ambassador.

There was a sudden silence about why we did not try and rescue these men. It is inconceivable to me that the higher ups did not go to the fullest effort to rescue these Americans. No answers...yet.

Although I was Army, the Marines were the best over history in not leaving soldiers behind. Unfortunately, over the history of time...politicians got in the way of them honoring their pledge.

The problem is letting politician determine security needs in the first place. No mater if it is a secretary of state who states she never received requests or never read them. The stock political answer the budget was cut. But then how many millions excuse me billions on gifts to countries that will stab us in the back any chance they get. There is an old saying you can't buy friends you only rent them.

The same holds true for home land security. Just a politician. Like the old joke about letting your proctologist do your brain surgery. But then again maybe that is what this country needs about know. An before I get flamed. It does not matter what race, creed, color or party affiliation. They get there and drink the cool aid, then we get what come out of that town. Lies and blame every one else instead of doing there best at working for all Americans.

Just thoughts.

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May the force be with you my CRT Jedi.