www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Gentlemen,

Please forgive the input from a CRT newbie, but I wanted to add a little something here. First I am a vet from the Gulf and three long years in Afghanistan (returned in 07) my grandfather was a WWII vet and now my 18 year old son is heading to basic June 2nd (proud Pop). Right now we are losing WWII vets everyday and soon the living knowledge of that time will be lost to all of us and if you ever have the chance to sit and talk with a WWII vet, DO IT, it will change your life forever…..

I for one do not need a Veterans Day to thank every vet young and old for their service and after reading this thread I know I have joined a site of great men. Quote from my grandfather, Son work hard, party hard, and show respect, anyone who does this has the makings of a great man…..

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To you its a six pack, to me its a support group!!!!!

To all my Marine Brothers Semper Fi. To the Veterans and all of you who show respect for their sacrifice to their Country I would like to thank you. It means alot to us. Just a nod and a smile is enough.
Thanks
Bobshere

story in todays paper




Vietnam veteran Daniel Foley died by himself in a rundown hotel.

No relatives or friends claimed his body.

But when it came time to bury him Thursday at the South Florida National Cemetery west of Lake Worth, 18 people attended, including a four-man, white-gloved Army honor guard.

Foley had never known any of them, but they were there.

"Although, sadly, Daniel has no family here today, he has a greater family of veterans who will always be with him," said Veterans Hospital chaplain Joseph Grodsky, who officiated at the burial.

Sgt. Keston White-Marin, in full uniform and beret, played taps, the plaintive notes echoing amid the neat rows of small, identical tombstones.

Once the U.S. flag was removed from the metal casket and folded into the traditional triangle, Staff Sgt. Jose Amoa solemnly handed to it to the woman standing in for Foley's mother, wife or sister — Cheryl Godbout, general manager of the Aycock Funeral Home in Jupiter and committee chair for the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program in Palm Beach County.

Dignity Memorial is a network of about 1,600 funeral homes around the country, including several in the county.

"The homeless veterans burial program has existed for about 10 years around the country, but it just began here in the county last year," said Godbout. "This is our fifth burial."

"The idea is to make sure that no veteran has to be buried in potter's field," she said, referring to anonymous public plots where the bodies of the indigent and unclaimed are laid to rest.

Godbout said the funeral home that is closest to where the veteran died and that belongs to the network pays for the preparation of the body, the casket and transportation in a hearse. Foley's burial was paid for Mizell Faville Zern Funeral Home of West Palm Beach.

Godbout says the committee she heads includes representatives of the cemetery, the county Health Department, Medical Examiner's Office, Veterans Hospital, the American Legion and Vitas, a private hospice chain that sponsors a veterans program.

Only veterans identified and approved by the committee qualify for the burial.

"You can't just call us," says Godbout. "It doesn't work that way."

Denise DiGiovanni, a registered nurse with Vitas and a member of the Dignity Memorial committee who attended the burial, said, "No veteran should be sent on his way alone. About 1,800 veterans per day die in the U.S. In Florida alone, about 60,000 will die between now and 2016."

Foley, 63, an Army equipment maintenance engineer, served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969. He was originally from Detroit.

As Amoa handed Godbout the folded flag, he spoke the lines any mother or wife would have heard:

"Let this be a symbol of his faithful and loyal service to his country."

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The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

Invitation to all CRT members especially veterans.

Anyone who will be in town on Sunday is invited to a Memorial Day ceremony held by The American Legion Post CR10 located in Escazu. The ceremony will start at 11:00 and is being held at the San Antonio de Escazu cemetery. The cemetery is on the road to the White House approximately 500 meters before the White House on the left side of the road.

Info at http://www.americanlegioncostaricapost10.org/ menu item "events calendar"

Sorry picnic is sold out.

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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

Just when you think nearly everybody in SoFla is crazy or an s-bag, up jumps a story like Brother C'dude posted. Thanks, Brother.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Great post Circus,
It is a very good idea to go to the mall and search out them older types, veterans or not (90 percent are), i have always respected older folks, they are living legends, and walking history.
To bad these K*ds now a days are too busy with their ipods, wii's, ps3's, etc, to realize they wouldn't have any of that stuff it wasn't for them old men in the mall.

I'm a veteran myself, been in for 18 plus years. Not bad for a poor Costa Rican K*D that lived on a farm and came to the United States via a gringo's fishing boat. We actually had to hide under tarps in the engine room when the Coast Guard would board his boat.
I'm due to retire soon, but it's been a fun ride, however it went to damn fast!
Luis

Thanks to all veterans from a veteran. This post has made me realize I want to "volunteer" at a local VA here in Houston. No one should be alone or "left behind."

Want to truly help past/current/future veterans who have come back from Iraq/Afghanistan/elsewhere with bodies reasonably intact but shattered minds? Consider donating to the folks (an IRS-certified 501(c)3 organization) that are doing ground-breaking, important work re-integrating the minds of veterans, those suffering Alzheimer's and a variety of other mind/brain conditions: http://www.maps.org/
This is NOT a drug reference and they are not at all about "gateways"--this is psycho-social medicine. I contribute every year.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

A friend of mine contacted me about the status of this post I entered several years ago. After observing posts from CLN20 and Jassbo...whoever they are. I will remove the post. It was a very personable encounter to me and I pity those who disparage remembering sacrifices of our military men and women who have served this country. With the new breed on this forum, it is the reason that I do not share in posting anymore.

Best to all and family.

Circus.

+1

Oh please. If you read my post, I am not knocking Veterans or Memorial Day. Hell I am a Veteran. I did however, once again, read a post that is years old, which is really the only thing LocoHombre seems to contribute to the board. Instead of Loco sitting at home, and again digging through the ancient annals of CRT (which I believe Admin asked him not to do, yet he still continues), I wonder why doesnt he just make a new thread?
I'm all for showing love to our Vets and making sure they're recognized.

I like the fact that the old post was bumped and keeps recycling. To me it is respect for the men and women who sacrificed so much; not just those who lost their lives and limbs but those who made tremendous personal and family sacrifices.

If I am not mistaken, Memorial Day dates back to the Civil War and that it continues today is wonderful; by inference bumping this thread continues that memory alive for what is now aging Viet Nam era people.

In the middle of May I was in Washington, DC and had one day free so I went to Arlington National Cemetery. Toured the Lee Mansion, the Tomb of the Unknowns, watched the changing of the guards, looked up relatives, and visited the adjacent Marine Corps Memorial.

At the Memorial there were two buses filled with aging World War II Vets. For me that was a thrill; living history. I had the chance to take photos for a couple of gent’s and chat with them. For some reason, one old guy just opened up and told me some stories perhaps he has never told. For me it was very meaningful.

There are signs and symbols all around us about the importance of the military. Our service men and women are respected and not denigrated as they were in the late 60s and 70s. The military consistently ranks among the most respected organizations in the US (Gallop).

If you fly Continental you are reminded each time you board, even before first class passengers are boarded they ask for military personnel in uniform to board. Most that I have seen are embarrassed to do so but nevertheless must be pleased for the gesture.

Random thoughts - to the end that we remember and respect each other as well as the friends of our youth who go before us . . .

Regrettably Circus has deleted the original post. While that is certainly his right as the author I find it unfortunate that new members will never be able to read that wonderful posting. I am grateful that I got to read it not just once as I do with many posts but many times over the years.

If I might i take one small exception to what you wrote when you deleted the post

Perhaps a few do not care but from the comments posted on this thread I would say the vast vast vast majority do care and care deeply.

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

for once, i would have to agree with you