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Veterans Day

Posted by $ rockymountainpirate 9 years, 6 months ago to The Gulch: General
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Happy Veterans Day to all my fellow Vets.
USN. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, 8409 Aerospace Physiology Technician

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  • Posted by Robbie53024 9 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Interesting experience. I arrived at the battalion the week before Christmas, after they had been training for REFORGER '86. Was told that I wouldn't be going with and would be part of the stay behind contingent. 3 days before departure, they changed their mind and I had to be rushed through processing to get deployed. Spent the entire month sitting in a potato warehouse as part of HHB, doing nothing. Like you say, eating their young.

    On the other hand, I went on REFORGER '88 and was the liaison officer to an AF radar sight. Those guys know how to live. Beds with mattresses (we had to use our own sleeping bags, boo hoo), hot food cafeteria, etc. My NCO driver/relief and I found every different way to get back and forth between the battalion HQ and the AF site, stopping at every gasthouse for weinersnitzel mit pommes frittes that we could find. Almost made up for the first experience - almost.
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  • Posted by richkinley 9 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I was tdy to 2/67 ADA for REFORGER 77. Back in those days, I think we were all at 75% strength and they needed a couple of LTs for Platoon Leaders. I was assigned to a Chaparral Platoon, and those 3-4 weeks were memorable, in a good way.

    My Jeep was hit by an M-60 tank, crunching the radiator, and I was stung by a bee in my left temple while setting up a CP...my eye was swollen shut for two days. My Platoon Sergeant found a Dutch aid station, and I traded a few of my jump wings for a variety of Dutch berets and a British field jacket.

    Professionally, it was a great experience. When I returned to my battery (C Battery 6/56 ADA at Hahn AB), I would be the only PL to pass an ARTEP for the next 12-15 months.

    Later, I got to play XO along with my regular job as Maintenance Officer in a Battery level ARTEP. For my efforts at covering for the BC (who was a great staff officer, just keep him away from troops), I got the worst OER of my career. Good old ADA, whose motto is "we eat our young."
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  • Posted by JCLanier 9 years, 6 months ago
    We honor these heroes as they pass by
    Thank you my father, my brother, my friend.
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  • Posted by johnpe1 9 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    the PC police are driving it underground, as "just
    a holiday" -- like the school system in the news
    which just erased all distinctive references to their
    holidays -- no Easter, no Christmas, no Hanukkah --
    just holidays. . generic. . ptui ! -- j

    p.s. Thank You! -- usaf aircraft maintenance ofcr.
    (bufs and tanks)

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  • Posted by Robbie53024 9 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Hey, me too! 2/67 ADA Vulcan/Stinger (1st ID). And yes, going to the range was a blast. I remember one time I was the range OIC when we went for qualification fire and there was an infantry company doing "night fire" with M16 on a range close by. They barely made sunset when they started firing. We, on the other hand, waited until it really started to get dark. When we opened up with a tracer every 3rd round, it looked like lasers going down-range. When they hit the targets, they splashed everywhere. As soon as we began firing, the M16 range stopped firing. I can just imagine their jaws dropping and the sense of awe that they had watching that sight. AWESOME!
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  • Posted by comsguy 9 years, 6 months ago
    We would not be anything without you. Thank You So Much and God Bless You All.
    Special shout out to Dad, USN WW2 Tanker Gunner in the Pacific. You talked me out of enlisting after high school. I admire and miss you.
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  • Posted by $ root1657 9 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    If you were making them for our side, why wouldn't you be proud of that? Nuclear deterrence is what kept the looters from 'over there' from coming here in mass back then. You and your kind, as much as any of us, acted in direct defense of our freedom. I thank you, sir!
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  • Posted by $ Susanne 9 years, 6 months ago
    And a Happy (slightly belated) Vets Day to all of you who did your part as well!

    Oh Yeah... USAF 779 MG AAFB '78-82
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  • Posted by ObjectiveAnalyst 9 years, 6 months ago
    Sorry, I didn't get to this thread yesterday.
    Gratitude and salutations to all who served.
    Respectfully,
    O.A.
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  • Posted by $ allosaur 9 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    All I remember being told is "Well, at least you didn't run to Canada" by an older full-time worker during a summer job when I went to college on the GI Bill.
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  • Posted by RevJay4 9 years, 6 months ago
    Thank you. Same to you.
    USN vet, airdale, '61-'69.
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  • Posted by jimslag 9 years, 6 months ago
    Thank you to all and Thank You for your service.
    USN Electronics Technician 1st Class (Nuclear) Retired
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  • Posted by NealS 9 years, 6 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Free Hamburger? I went last night, and when we got there they said the free Vet dinner was always served on the closest Sunday but the cook wanted to honor us anyway. I'm sure glad I wore my Vietnam Vet hat.

    I got a free Cashew Encrusted Tilapia with a Buttered Rum Sauce served over Sweet Potato Risotto accompanied by Thinly Sliced Carrots and Crisp Green Beans. Mmmmmm, it was really good, so were the Whiskey Sours on the Rocks.
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  • Posted by kathywiso 9 years, 6 months ago
    Thank You to ALL the Veteran's here in the Gulch and sorry I was a day late. You all deserve the honor and I appreciate what you did for your country.. I'm proud of you all and Thank You.
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  • Posted by $ blarman 9 years, 6 months ago
    My salute to you, and all those who are willing to stand up for our nation and its value. My thanks for your service.
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  • Posted by flanap 9 years, 6 months ago
    Unfortunately, days like Veterans Day are going the way of Christmas.

    Oh, I am a veteran as well.
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  • Posted by SolitudeIsBliss 9 years, 6 months ago
    HHT CAB, 1st Cav Div. Happy Veterans Day all who have the courage to answer their nation's call to serve!
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