Some years ago. during my kids Easter vacation from school, we took them down to DC to do the Smithsonian and other sites. Late one afternoon before dinner I walked to the Vietnam Memorial by myself. I got about a half block or so away, and I couldn't go any further. I stood that far away and started to tear up. I COULD NOT go any closer. I must have stood there for 10 minutes or so before I gave up. And i don't ever give up. I turned around and walked back to the hotel. That night I felt so down for not visiting and facing my thoughts and fear, but I just could not. That decision has haunted now over 30 years or so. I just could not do it, looking back I think I felt guilty for not being on the wall with all those wonderful Americans.
I want to honor my Dad, who was an Army Infantry Scout in WW2. He was captured by a Panzer Tank just outside of Salerno Italy on September 13, 1943. He spent just under two years as a POW, surviving the "Black March" from Mid January 1945 until mid May across Northern Europe with little to no food or shelter during one of the coldest winters on record. He was simply the Greatest person I have ever known, and the best Dad in the world. Hand Salute Dad......Happy Veterans' Day. I had his memory placed at the World War Two Memorial in Washington D.C.
@buflosab Beautiful pic. I'm glad you were able to visit the wall. It was a very emotional time that still causes me to get a lump in my throat when I think about my time spent there... Have a good Vets Day Saturday and spend a little time, as I know you will, reflecting on your time serving and those who are presently serving.
@pwkarch How proud you must be. I do hope you have that photograph framed under glass. That is definitely a keep-sake that should be handed down from generation to generation along with his story. Thank you so much for sharing... Very touching...
@pwkarch I finally came to the realization that the reason I wound up not on the wall is so I could help keep the memories of my fallen brothers alive and tell their stories... It's how I'm able to get some sleep at night... Great hobbies like pipes and pipe friends help too...
Korean Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, bear with me guys,I'm sort of proud of the pix I took,even though I have have been half way around the world DC for me was one of the best.
@buflosab The first time I saw that memorial I almost lost it. Reminded me of monsoons in Nam and some of the brothers I knew... Thanks for sharing. Great pic... And to all, have a good Veterans Day...
Please patronize those who recognize our vets. Here is a list of restaurants that recognize Veterans and U.S. Military personnel on and around Veterans Day.
Offers That Began on Friday, November 10
Boston Market: From November 10 to 12, customers can show this coupon to get a free individual meal with the purchase of another meal and a drink. Note that this promotion is for all customers—so no proof of military service is required.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: With military ID, customers get a free entrée worth $12.95 or less on Friday, November 10, and Saturday, November 11.
Chicken Salad Chick: Customers with military ID get a free Chick meal and a drink on Friday.
Denny’s: From 5 a.m. to noon on Friday, Denny’s customers with military ID can order a free Build Your Own Grand Slam breakfast.
Fazoli’s: From Friday, November 10, through Sunday, November 12, Fazoli’s is offering free orders of spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce to veterans and active-duty military personnel.
Farmer Boys: Veterans and active duty military personnel get a free Big Cheese cheeseburger from this fast-casual burger chain on Friday, November 10.
Fogo de Chao: Customers with military ID will get 50% off their entire meal at this Brazilian steakhouse chain from November 10 to 12. Up to three guests dining with the veteran or active-duty service member can get 10% off their orders too.
IHOP: Retired and active-duty military with ID get Red, White & Blue pancakes for free on Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Spaghetti Warehouse: From November 10 to 12, all customers can use this coupon for a buy-one-get-one-free deal on select entrées.
Deals on Saturday, November 11
Applebee’s: Veterans and active-duty military get a choice of seven different entrées free of charge on Veterans Day. The options include the American Standard burger, Oriental Chicken Salad, and Double Crunch Shrimp.
Arooga’s: All customers with military ID get a choice of specialty pretzels, including the Arooga’s Crab Pretzel or the Arooga’s Buffalo Pretzel, for free on Saturday.
Back Yard Burgers: A Classic Burger is free on Saturday for all customers with military ID.
Ben’s Soft Pretzels: Eligible customers get a free jumbo soft pretzel on Veterans Day.
Bob Evans: All day on Saturday, veterans and active-duty members of the military can choose among six free entrées, including a stack of hotcakes, country biscuit breakfast, country fried steak dinner, or the Farm Boy sandwich.
Bonefish Grill: Active and retired service members with ID receive a complimentary order of Bang Bang Shrimp when dining at Bonefish Grill on Saturday.
Bruegger’s Bagels: Show military ID and you’ll get a free small cup of drip coffee on Saturday.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Veterans and active-duty military can get a small order of traditional or boneless wings, with a small fries, for free on Saturday.
California Pizza Kitchen: Customers in uniform or with military ID on Saturday have a choice of free entrées, including select pizzas, salads, and pasta dishes.
Chevy’s: Customers in military uniform or with proper ID get a complimentary Fresh Mex 3-Item Combo on Saturday. You can choose among enchiladas, soft or crispy tacos, tamales, flautas, or chile relleno, and all combos come with rice, corn tamalito, and a choice of three different kinds of beans.
Chuck E. Cheese: Show proof of military service and you’ll get a free personal one-topping pizza on Saturday.
Cici’s Pizza: The pizza buffet is free with military ID on Saturday.
Cracker Barrel: Get a free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake on Saturday if you’re eating at Cracker Barrel and show proof of military service.
Dunkin’ Donuts: Show military ID and you can choose a free doughnut in any flavor on Saturday.
54th Street Grill: Veterans and active-duty military get a free entrée up to $12 on Saturday.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: On Veterans Day, all veterans and members of the military with ID who are dining at Freddy’s get a card for a free combo meal, which can be redeemed later.
Freebirds World Burrito: For Veterans Day, all customers with military ID get a buy-one-get-one-free deal on any size adult entrée.
Friendly’s: Customers with valid military ID are welcomed to a free breakfast, lunch, or dinner from a select menu at Friendly’s on Saturday.
Hickory Tavern: Customers with military ID get 50% off a special menu. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the discount.
Hooters: On Saturday, veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a free entrée such as a 10-piece order of wings (boneless or traditional), a Hooters Burger, or buffalo chicken salad.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar: All active-duty military and veterans with ID have their choice of any burger on the Hopdoddy menu, free of charge on Saturday.
Houlihan’s: Veterans and active military get a free entrée valued up to $15 from a select menu on Saturday.
What a fantastic thread this one has become. A wise man once said, get to know the Veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and share the details about them, that make them unique. The ones who have managed to make it back home, are not far behind, and have suffered a tremendous amount of human sacrifice, because they survived. Thanking these heroes for their service, seems to have become a bit cliche and politically correct, but still requires our attention.
Nowdays, I don't thank a Veteran for their service, but simply offer to buy him or her something to eat. It is the least I can do, for those who have made such a selfless sacrifice.
We stood up and we didn't say a word, It felt just like when you have dropped your pack After a hike, and straightened out your back And seem just twice as light as any bird.
We stood up straight and, God! but it was good! When you have crouched like that for months, to stand Straight up and look right out toward No-Man's-Land And feel the way you never thought you could.
We saw the trenches on the other side And Jerry, too, not making any fuss, But prob'ly stupid-happy, just like us. Nobody shot and no one tried to hide.
If you had listened then I guess you'd heard A sort of sigh from everybody there, But all we did was stand and stare and stare, Just stare and stand and never say a word.
@motie2 War is a strange world, far from the norm that the general public should never have to experience. And yet that in and of itself is what becomes a hindrance to some Veterans. Their families many times cannot relate to what has been experienced and thus, the meeting of fellow "brothers in arms" comes into play to help promote the healing of the mind process... I feel for those who, unlike me, are still trapped in that time-frame and cannot enjoy the present... My heart goes out to them...
Had a great Vets Day with fellow Vets in and around the neighborhood. Three of us are pipe smokers which made it even more special...
Comments
Some years ago. during my kids Easter vacation from school, we took them down to DC to do the Smithsonian and other sites. Late one afternoon before dinner I walked to the Vietnam Memorial by myself. I got about a half block or so away, and I couldn't go any further. I stood that far away and started to tear up. I COULD NOT go any closer. I must have stood there for 10 minutes or so before I gave up. And i don't ever give up. I turned around and walked back to the hotel. That night I felt so down for not visiting and facing my thoughts and fear, but I just could not. That decision has haunted now over 30 years or so. I just could not do it, looking back I think I felt guilty for not being on the wall with all those wonderful Americans.
@buflosab Beautiful pic. I'm glad you were able to visit the wall. It was a very emotional time that still causes me to get a lump in my throat when I think about my time spent there... Have a good Vets Day Saturday and spend a little time, as I know you will, reflecting on your time serving and those who are presently serving.
@pwkarch I finally came to the realization that the reason I wound up not on the wall is so I could help keep the memories of my fallen brothers alive and tell their stories... It's how I'm able to get some sleep at night... Great hobbies like pipes and pipe friends help too...
And to all, have a good Veterans Day...
Here is a list of restaurants that recognize Veterans and U.S. Military personnel on and around Veterans Day.
What a fantastic thread this one has become. A wise man once said, get to know the Veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and share the details about them, that make them unique. The ones who have managed to make it back home, are not far behind, and have suffered a tremendous amount of human sacrifice, because they survived. Thanking these heroes for their service, seems to have become a bit cliche and politically correct, but still requires our attention.
Nowdays, I don't thank a Veteran for their service, but simply offer to buy him or her something to eat. It is the least I can do, for those who have made such a selfless sacrifice.
NOVEMBER ELEVENTH
We stood up and we didn't say a word,
It felt just like when you have dropped your pack
After a hike, and straightened out your back
And seem just twice as light as any bird.
We stood up straight and, God! but it was good!
When you have crouched like that for months, to stand
Straight up and look right out toward No-Man's-Land
And feel the way you never thought you could.
We saw the trenches on the other side
And Jerry, too, not making any fuss,
But prob'ly stupid-happy, just like us.
Nobody shot and no one tried to hide.
If you had listened then I guess you'd heard
A sort of sigh from everybody there,
But all we did was stand and stare and stare,
Just stare and stand and never say a word.
- Pvt. Hilmar R. Baukhage
@motie2 War is a strange world, far from the norm that the general public should never have to experience. And yet that in and of itself is what becomes a hindrance to some Veterans. Their families many times cannot relate to what has been experienced and thus, the meeting of fellow "brothers in arms" comes into play to help promote the healing of the mind process... I feel for those who, unlike me, are still trapped in that time-frame and cannot enjoy the present... My heart goes out to them...
Had a great Vets Day with fellow Vets in and around the neighborhood. Three of us are pipe smokers which made it even more special...