Lest We Forget

[lt632ret]

Yesterday marked the 60th anniversary of the end of WW II. Quote Gen Wesley Clark at memorial service in New York yesterday. " Wars can be lost at the top, but they are won at the bottom, and these men and women are the ones who won it for us."

WW II veterans are passing at the rate of 1000 a day. They are truly an endangered species which cannot be saved.

I only wanted to post this to remind those of us who may have forgotten of the importance of this day and the sacrifices these people made so that people like myself have the rights and privledges that often we take for granted, we sometimes tend to forget that these were paid for in American and Allied blood. As insignificant as it is I just wanted to say THANKYOU . God bless you all and God bless America. LT

 

[sheathmaker]

Well said...AMEN!

 

[rev_jch]

I agree! Unfortunately veterans are not remembered very often!

This Unfortunately "trickles down" into the goverment. Congress is ever taking money away from the VA budget and its programs. As a disabled veteran I have seen how veterans are viewed and treated. Many of the politicians in congress do not appreciate the sacrifices of veterans. Many do not realize that long after service and wars are over, the scars are still there. I have knee and stomach problems from desert shield/storm 14 years after its over!

I suppose what I am trying to say is that the sacrifice of veterans is much more than many give them credit for. Just because someones service is over does not mean they are not dealing with the results of it. We should all be more "aware" of the service they give this country, and certainly more appreciative.

 

[lt632ret]

You are more than correct you are prophetic. Simply look at the amount of people who answered or even read this thread. I personally wish to thank you and all your number.

I was in a discussion just yesterday with another fellow of my vintage. We discussed all these woes but the one that stuck in my mind is what will happen to the new crop of mentally and physically affected from the latest conflicts. Do not misunderstand me while I am not a warmonger, or a puke bellied snivling , left wing, whimpy, yellow, Canada hiding coward. (See I am quite neutral). I do believe that our country and the policys of the majority must be defended and unfortunately this is done in blood and even worse usually with the best and yougest blood. Still all this being said and as terrible as these facts are. The greatest crime is for just one American to forget these sacrifices.

I will not, I can not and if no one reads or wants to be reminded of the price they owe these people so be it because brother I won't forget you or them and if just one person remembers you are not forgotten. DUTY HONOR COUNTRY. LT

 

[rev_jch]

Thanks LT,
that is very much appreciated.

I am sometimes "in and out" of the VA hospital and have met many of the new generation of disabled veterans. One young guy I met has a problem with exposure he had to uranium. he had a skin problem from it and explained to me how he could not believe the VA, or govermant would not acknowledge it. I felt bad for him, but informed him that these things have unfortunately always gone on. I told him that when he was barely a toddler I was dealing with health problems related to my service (desert shield/storm). Sad, but true, nothing new.

I myself am not a "war promoter", but I am a troop supporter. I believe we should be supporting these guys as its hard enough for them to do what they are having to do, without them having to defend themselves here! I remember I had just been back a short time in the states (from desert shield/storm) when I was confronted and told I should be ashamed for being over there. No onme that I have ever known, who has been in a war, would say that they "enjoyed" it. Quite the contrary.

I absolutely destest war, but there is something many do not understand. The rights that many people have here (especially the "right to protest") came at a price. And there are many that have paid it. It breaks my heart that so many people "belittle" the sacrifices made by america's veterans. Dont mistake me, Im not "advocating" war, but I am saying that this is a job that is hard to do. We should support and appreciate our troops!!!