DU Vets and Active Servicemen: Thank you for SURVIVING

[Taverner]

A lot of people take the time today to thank the vets and servicemen for their bravery, and their service to their country. Think about it: the pay is shit, living conditions one (small) step up from camping, you get shot at, you have to shoot back and just when you think it's over you get sucked back in.

I'm thankful for that, but I'm MORE thankful for them surviving.

Every KIA is a cut into our country and a cut into me personally.

I don't want any of us to die - especially young people who just got out of college or high school. A KIA is a future that has been stolen. A possible husband or father, a possible wife or mother, a possible good Samaritan that might help you, a possible scientist who might find the cure for a disease, a possible cop who would have stopped a murder. That life, when gone, will never be replaced.

In the movie "Saving Private Ryan" the scene that had me crying was not the beginning, which shows the true horror of war, nor the end - but the part where the team has caught a German Soldier, and are deciding whether to hill him or not. Throughout the movie, Captain Miller has been very secretive of his past - and everyone in the group wonders what his civilian life was. During that tense moment, Miller finally shouts out what he did - a High School Teacher - to the group. It stops everyone in their tracks, and for me that was the most moving scene. Because those who fight - very few of them are professional soldiers. They're you and me, teachers, parents, doctors, mattress salesmen.

So with that, let me thank you all - not just for serving, but for surviving.

[Scuba]

1. You're welcome. My pleasure. n/t

[H2O Man]

2. Recommended.

Nice post. I feel the same way.

Thanks, service men and women!

[mailman82]

3. You are welcome!

Thanl You! USMC Ret.

[MADem]

4. Surviving is good.

Those of us who are retired celebrate Survivor's Day on the first of every month, and are grateful to our nation for remembering us 12 times a year!

[SeattleVet]

5. Yes, surviving is good...

but please don't make the ever-more-common mistake of mixing up Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetday_faq.asp
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Q. What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

A. Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.

[Taverner]

7. True, but I think survival is spit in the face of those who brought down the fallen

[Aristus]

6. The only real threat to my life in the Gulf was a Scud missile.

And it missed by a good quarter-mile.

Poor weapons' manufacturing, and atrocious weapons' maintenance are the reason I survived. Not any skill or daring on my part...

[Taverner]

8. Well, I'm glad you are here to be you

My biggest resentment against war is that it spares no one. Your life turns into a probability curve.

[Aristus]

9. Aw, that's nice. Thanks.

:fistbump:

[denbot]

10. Happy to do it..

Not many threats to Navy Destroyers at sea..

[pinboy3niner]

11. Memorial Day is for those we lost

Veterans' Day is for all who served.