Topic: Military and Life
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Thu 03/31/11 01:04 AM

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Sun 04/17/11 09:01 PM

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Wed 05/04/11 08:32 PM
Edited by esebulldog on Wed 05/04/11 08:43 PM

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Thu 05/26/11 08:14 AM


The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, which took the form of a heart made of purple cloth, the Purple Heart is the oldest award that is still given to members of the U.S. military, the only earlier award being the obsolete Fidelity Medallion.

Sharris's photo
Sun 05/29/11 07:50 AM
The Wake

In the vigil of silence,
No sounds will carry voice,
Even as the fallen
Remembered for their choice.

Reminds my heart of those
Left to carry on.
A battle from within,
This ground that's never won.

With God, Our Country, Honor
A regiment is formed,
Of the souls that birth
The oaths that knowing mourns.

I raise your banner high.
Entreat me never more.
For even in your silence,
Heart's casualty, encore.



SadieLu 2011..

just a mom who loves her boys.

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Sun 05/29/11 08:57 AM


I agree.Every now & again I run into a kid who just got back from the bush,oops! I mean the sand box,& I welcome him(or her) home.I don't want them to feel the disconnect my brothers & I felt when we came back to the world.I guess the biggest shock coming back is realizing that the world hasn't stopped just because they've been away being pre-occupied with surviving thier tour.


Does the term "babykillers" come to mind? I was called that even though I never fought in the war that was Viet Nam. Just the mere mention that I was overseas brought that term crashing into my life. I was afraid at one time to speak of my military service. However, I was told that I should never hide it, but rather use it to bolster my friendships with people. I must admit that it has worked. I have gone on Marine bases and have had the young men and women say that I was a trailblazer. We have also been appluaded at our local sports events and so on. Never saw this outpouring of affection towards me when I was in. Powerful stuff!!!


OK this pissed me off. You might take a moment to remember- and this was too long ago for most on here to remember - but at the immediate close of WW2, when Berlin was being partitioned there were a few days/weeks/months (not sure how long) when the sector borders were not yet fully completed and the war ravaged German citizens could travel freely through out Berlin.

Guess where they went, yup, the American or American/British sector. They were scared to death of Russian troops. But I have no desire to malign them. Just congratulate our WW2 vets because they were not feared by the conquered Germans. Rather the people flooded that sector because our troops were known for kindness and good behavior, honesty, and did not rape & plunder.


As I am sure most know, American troops are still in Germany and relatively speaking reasonably welcome there. Older Germans still talk about John Marshall and JFK like they were Gods. Younger Germans don't remember starving in 1945 and challenge us a bit more, philosophically. It'S ALL good - we need to be asked to think.

Veterans of Foreign Wars should never by judged by anyone military or non, who has not spent a few days/weeks/years in the jungles, deserts, and beaches or a stint as a POW?MIA

I'm not military so am totally objective. I was raised in a Quaker Community with no pro military sentiments, and never personally spoke with a military person until college when I dated an ROTC friend. -just so no one thinks my comments come from any sort if affiliation

in fact. I remain strongly anti war and have mixed feelings about some of the "culture" of the military

but that does not erase the honor of service - sorry this was so long

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Mon 05/30/11 09:43 AM

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Mon 05/30/11 09:45 AM
Edited by esebulldog on Mon 05/30/11 09:53 AM

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Mon 05/30/11 09:57 AM
Edited by esebulldog on Mon 05/30/11 10:01 AM

I believe our veterans and servicepeople should have their own thread where they can share their own stories, reveal historical tidbits, and refect upon their service. They can even speak of the places they have been to give our civilian population a chance to see the value of this part of life. I feel this is so important and even shed some light on those who were wounded or even those who were POWS and MIAS. These folks should never be forgotten EVER!!!



Sharris's photo
Mon 05/30/11 10:51 AM


I believe our veterans and servicepeople should have their own thread where they can share their own stories, reveal historical tidbits, and refect upon their service. They can even speak of the places they have been to give our civilian population a chance to see the value of this part of life. I feel this is so important and even shed some light on those who were wounded or even those who were POWS and MIAS. These folks should never be forgotten EVER!!!




amen and thank you Ese.

lori46's photo
Wed 06/01/11 07:49 PM
I love & appreciate all of our military men & women. My son just got out of the army last month, but he said if he gets called back to war he will gladly go!
xoxoxo to ALL of our service men & women! God bless!:smile:

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Sun 06/26/11 04:01 PM
The Bronze Star Medal (or BSM) is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. When awarded for bravery, it is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth highest military award (including both combat and non-combat awards) in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations. Officers from the other federal uniformed services are also eligible to receive the award if they are militarized or detailed to serve with a service branch of the armed forces.


mssilverfox's photo
Sun 06/26/11 05:15 PM
My dad received the Bronze Star and 3 purple hearts.. He was paratrooper with the 511th Airborne and helped lead a jump into a POW prison (Los Banos, south of Manilla) and they got over 2100 prisoners out without any fatalaties..

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Tue 06/28/11 09:37 PM

My dad received the Bronze Star and 3 purple hearts.. He was paratrooper with the 511th Airborne and helped lead a jump into a POW prison (Los Banos, south of Manilla) and they got over 2100 prisoners out without any fatalaties..


semper fi

kre8karma's photo
Tue 06/28/11 09:43 PM
Thank you all for your service to our country and to each of us so that we can live in comfort and freedom.

carold's photo
Mon 07/04/11 05:39 AM
Happy 4th of July too all you Vets and people serving in the Armed forcesflowerforyou flowerforyou
May freedom ringdrinker

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Thu 07/07/11 12:40 AM
The Silver Star is the third-highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy.
The Silver Star[1] is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States not justifying one of the two higher awards - the service crosses (Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross), the second-highest military decoration, or the Medal of Honor, the highest decoration. The Silver Star may be awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the armed forces, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism involving one of the following actions:
In action against an enemy of the United States
While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force
While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party


txmomof2's photo
Thu 07/07/11 07:06 AM
As the saying goes.....


IF YOU DO NOT STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM.


Thank you for all you do to keep this country free.

eklectek's photo
Sun 07/17/11 01:53 PM
cheers to all my brothers and sisters in arms.

Meg8771's photo
Sun 07/17/11 04:38 PM
My father is retired Navy and my brother is also in the Navy. For all of the men and women who serve - I thank you and pray for your safe return to your loved ones flowerforyou