All Veterans ARE NOT Bums

[Grumpy]

I have to vent some. A little while ago I watched two differnet evening news programs on two different TV channels. Both started out explaining the TRUE reason for Veterens Day, then they praised the Armed Forces and our Veterans and finally they started showing bums, addicts, and jail birds who are supposedly Veterans needing help in one form or another. In spite of the initial praise, the impression that was left on both programs was that all veterans are bums.

I have seen this same slant and treatment many times in the past and it makes me sick. I have already emailed both stations with my complaints but I had to vent some more.

TO ALL OUR SERVICE PEOPLE AND VETERANS, who may be on Fishin.com, I salute you and I thank you for your life, my life is better because of you.

Grumpy

[DJD]

Grumpy,
100% agree, while I didn't see the programs I have always held these men and women in the highest regard. I never saw a moment of combat during my 4 years but did experience some tough times with terrorist in Germany. I can't imagine the things the combat vets have been through and their families. I know my life is better because of them as well.

[Grumpy]

DJD, that makes you a Veteran Don. I wasn'T thanking just combat Veterans but ALL VETERANS, no matter how long or where they served==THEY SERVIED OUR COUNTRY.

Grumpy.

[DJD]

DJD, that makes you a Veteran Don. I wasn'T thanking just combat Veterans but ALL VETERANS, no matter how long or where they served==THEY SERVIED OUR COUNTRY.

Grumpy.

Well thank you Sir, I am proud to have served.

[cra97]

DJD, that makes you a Veteran Don. I wasn'T thanking just combat Veterans but ALL VETERANS, no matter how long or where they served==THEY SERVIED OUR COUNTRY.

Grumpy.

Grumpy,

I could not agree with your statement more!! I feel (well I am not sure what the right word is to use here, but) discouraged (?) when I hear fellow VETERANS, who served but say "I did not see any action or combat", lessen their own importance on being a true Veteran (WHICH THEY ARE!!). I had a guy tell me about being in during Nam and that "I was only a cook for the guys going through training, on their way over....". This bothered me to no end. Where would those guys "going through training" have been without food cooked by that person? Was their someone else out there to do it? No, they were to busy making their way to Canada!! ANYONE who has dawned the uniform, in ANY JOB, during ANY PERIOD, IS A VET!!
I did many deployments personally, so I believe I have the right to say what I feel on this issue, BUT had those before me NOT served (Any of them) I would not have had the CHOICE on whether to serve of not. My hat is off to all those who serve, and even those who just acknowledge the importance of serving (that is my own personal belief though), should celebrate the day as their own. Without the support of the patriots who do not necessarily "serve" in uniform, but rather SUPPORT those of us who do, where would we be anyway?
I wish everyone a wonderful V-Day and may God Bless you all!!

Rob

[kygorski]

I'm also proud of my service time, even though it was at a time when we at peace, those years in germany showed me what its like to live in a country, without restraints on travel,my service also started to some extent when I was 10 years old, moving onto an army post with our step dad. Have one step grandson in the service now, doing his second tour in the mid east. I'm aware of the sence of duty of our current service men and woman, they keep us the best place on earth to live.

[Dave Stewart]

Happy Veteran's Day tomorrow to all my fellow vets. Happy Birthday today to all of those like me that have their military roots in the Corps. Semper Fi..!

[mhall]

Grumpy you and I must be cut from the same fabric. I too saw those awhile ago and thought the exact same thing. My father was a WWII vet, also my uncle. My cousin was in Vietnam and I have another cousin that has been in the Air Force now for 28 years. My childhood friend that I would really like to see is in the Marine corp and is now retired after 23 years. God Bless all the American troops past and present and their families.

[MsgMills]

Happy Veterans Day to all as well...I'm ecstatic & Proud to have served and Retired from the Army...Only wish I could go back in and do my share again to help my fellow service men & women serving now.

[bassin_bug]

There is one Veteran that I would like to stand up in his place, and say "Thanks for remembering." He is my brother who was killed in Iraq. Career USAF.

"Thanks also," on behalf of other members of my family who are PRESENTLY serving:
Grissett (son-in-law)- Iraq (also tour in Afghanistan)
Pugh (step-grandest) - Iraq
Roberts (niece)- Persian Gulf
Lewis (nephew and brother of Roberts)- Persian Gulf
Hawkins (nephew)- Back in USA

Peacetime:
L. Reid (daughter) USAF

Vietnam:
J. Downey, KIA
G. Downey, KIA, (brother of J. Downey)
B. Downey (brother of J. and G. Downey)
J. Downey (brother of J., G., and B. Downey)
R. Sims (first cousin)


WWII
Father-in-law, Army
S. Morris, Aunt and Army Nurse

I will remember the sacrifices of ALL, not just my family, on Veterans Day and every day.
Praying for the safe return of those now serving, and for their families who patiently wait.

[roadrunner]

Great post and I will proudly salute all my fellow veterans. I was in the air guard for six years and did not have any hardships but I have the upmost respect for anyone who has served and a very special respect for anyone who has been in any conflict or had to be away from there family.

Dave happy 200th.

[thebassman30]

Thank you all for your service to this country and the freedoms I enjoy!
God Bless you and America!!
Mark

p.s. Anyone who thinks bum, homeless or unemployed SMACK talk is funny has got to be sick and off their meds.