What Is A Veteran??

[Henry]

Someone once said, "A veteran – whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve – is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."

[slpott]

As a wife of 23 year to a retired Navy man, I would have to agree. He has written many a checks and continues to write them. I may have taken the man out of the military but the military will never be out of his blood. I truly think that some of these men and women were born to do what they do. I could not imagine. Thinking of all the Vets today and everyday. I salute you all.

[Stand Alone Defense]

This country wouldn't be what it is today if it were not for people like your husband.  While I haven't had the pleasure of meeting your husband yet I know he has a very respected name in the Naval service.  The service that he gave and continues to give to his country is truly selfless and heroic in nature especially now when the county probably needs him the most.  Be sure you tell LT I said Happy Veterans day and HOORAH.


Also Happy Veterans day to all other current and former brother in arms.


Former

CM2(SCW) Langelier USN SEABEES   

[Kathleen]

I heard a story on the news that I thought defined the amount of respect that Veterans should and do earn by everyone in this country ...

One night a guy was mugged as he was walking down the street.   After, as the mugger was going through the wallet, he found the guy's military ID.  The mugger returned the wallet to the guy with everything intact and even thanked him for his service to the country.

[Mike Raburn]

BM2( SCW)
yadda yadda////////////

[7F24]

OS2.....hey Mike, do you like to paint?

[Chris Santee]

USN
AMS (Unarmed and Unafraid)
CVN-68

[Mike Raburn]

OS2.....hey Mike, do you like to paint?

When do I get to fly the jets???
Every time I touch a broom I smile.
And now I hate paint........HATE IT!

AS-19 Agana Guam (Cranes and boats AND Captain's Gig Coxswain. Good Duty. LOVED the PI in the late 80's!!! wink wink)
NAS /NSGA ADAK, ALASKA (Structural & Crash Fireman)

[Mike Raburn]

This country wouldn't be what it is today if it were not for people like your husband.  While I haven't had the pleasure of meeting your husband yet I know he has a very respected name in the Naval service.  The service that he gave and continues to give to his country is truly selfless and heroic in nature especially now when the county probably needs him the most.  Be sure you tell LT I said Happy Veterans day and HOORAH.


Also Happy Veterans day to all other current and former brother in arms.


Former

CM2(SCW) Langelier USN SEABEES   

On Adak I had a few EO's and CM's driving my firetruck.
They were Southern boys.
Couldn't chain a truck or drive in snow worth a crude.......

Loved them when I blew off the deck gun and fixed it before the Fire Captain found out!!!!!
SeaBees rock!

OS's..meh......

Carrier Sailors, Ok in my book. 6 months out,,,,, NO WAY!

[7F24]

AGF-3, DD-862, and FF-1093.....never near a carrier.

[Mike Raburn]

AGF stumps me.

Auxiliary what?

[Stand Alone Defense]

Seabee's masters of coving stuff up!!! Sometimes I think the reason we had to work so hard was because we broke so much stuff being dumb and having fun!! GOOD TIMES sure do miss them

[Mike Raburn]

I would NOT trade anything for the 4.6 years I served.

Good times, shipmates, etc etc.........
"When do I get to fly the jets?"

I have a classic story of our boat getting painted out in Hong Kong,,,,,,via a screw we picked up in the Philippines.
I was the "crane operator" When we paid MarrySue.

OHSHA??

[7F24]

AGF-3 (LPD-3), USS LASALLE...flagship for the Commander of Mid-East Forces.  It was homeported in Manama Bahrain.

[Stand Alone Defense]

Mike, if you were in the Philippines I'm sure you have got some stories!!! if your up this way sometime we will have to get a drink.  I never went to the Philippines but I did do Operation Cobra Gold in Thailand for 45 days a lot of fun and a real different culture!!!!!!!