Veterans Day NOV 11

[Tin Falcon]

first of all happy Veterans day to to all who have served to protect freedom.
secondly Applebees and Golden coral are once again honoring veterans with a free meal.
And last but certainly not lease Colonial Williamsburg is offering free admission to military folks.

This Veterans Day, Heroes Get in Free
“Honoring Service to America” Passes Available November 11–14, 2010

From Thursday through Sunday of Veterans Day weekend, Colonial Williamsburg offers weekend-long admission passes to active-duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, and their families.

The “Honoring Service to America” pass provides admission to Colonial Williamsburg exhibition sites, art museums, and most daytime programs. It also includes free parking at the Visitor Center, access to the short movie Williamsburg—The Story of a Patriot, and complimentary use of Colonial Williamsburg shuttle buses.

These weekend-long admission passes are available only at Colonial Williamsburg on-site ticket sales locations, including the sales desk at the Visitor Center, the Lumber House Ticket Office in the Historic Area, or the ticket window in Merchants Square. Appropriate military identification is required.

Anyone want to meet me at the blacksmith shop on Saturday??
Tin who serves in the guard for 20 plus years.

 

[Foozer]

Been a few years now, guess more than a few. Still remember the Xmas 1971
in Pleiku, RVN when the USO handed out Xmas packages. These were just little boxes of trinkets of themselves meant little. What I do remember and still wonder is that some person whose name is long forgotten took the time from there daily drudge to sponsor that package that ended up in my hands. Touched me then and still does. Simple easy thing to do, little Xmas package sent in your name to some kid in a place they'd rather not be. Some kind act they surely will remember the rest of there life.

Robert

 

[Lew Hartswick]

Still remember the Xmas 1971
Robert

You think 71 was a while back, Try the early 50's.
...Lew...

 

[Cedge]

My Grand-daughter extended an invitation to me to attend the Veterans day event at her high school today. I assumed it was basically going to be aq concert by their choral class and the string symphony group. When I arrived, I was escorted to the library where my name, service affiliation, date of service and final rank were of requested. I looked around to see about 200 gray headed old guys along with a few young bucks in uniform. We were treated to coffee and pastries while we sat talking among ourselves. They then lead us to the school gymnasium and seated us as a group.

To my amazement, the program was begun with the National Anthem complete with an ROTC color guard presenting the Colors, followed by an invocation prayer and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. In today's politically correct world, hearing a 1000 students willingly sing the anthem and recite the pledge was completely spine tingling. The master of ceremony then gave a roll call for each branch of service, asking each of us to stand as our names were called. Each branch had its colors posted along with the oldest member of the service.

Former student, currently serving, were also honored with a roll call with moments of silence for those who will never answer to another roll. It was surprising to hear the number of kids from this relatively small rural school who have answered their county's call.

The kids did a wonderful job and more than just my own eyes were misty when it became obvious this was not just a show but a true expression of the student's respect for the military and those who have gone in harms way. I can freely admit my own eyes were misty throughout the celebration, but there is little shame to it when everyone standing around me were having the same problem.

It might not be quite as fashionable these days to show your patriotism, but today gave me hope and a renewed sense of faith that at least some of our youth "get it". Please excuse the maudlin rambles of an old guy who doesn't feel dressed unless his lapel flag is on his jacket collar..... but I thought sharing today's experience would maybe be appreciated by a few other old guys with graying heads.

Steve

 

[rudydubya]

Steve, much appreciated by this old vet. Thanks for sharing. Thm:

Regards,
Rudy

 

[steamer]

Thanks for sharing that Steve....gives me a little faith in our democracy that the right things to appreciate and to look up to as a role model are taught somewhere in this country.


Thank you for your service!

Dave

 

[lathe nut]

Thanks to all the people is and was in the military that gave so much to keep up free, this is for all nations I say thanks, I only served a short time in the Army so cannot claim anything of value, when I saw that the USS Orleck was coming to Lake Charles Louisiana for home port to be restored I did wonder If I should work on in with all the I have to do but one day I drove up and saw her sitting there, seems as I could hear the sailors saying we served on her and were proud, please don't let her go to scrap, it has been wonderful working on her and the people that help all feel that it is a must to keep alive, one day while welding I looked up and saw an old fellow standing on the shore, went to meet him, he served four years in Korea in the ship, his bunk was over the work bench in the machine shop, he was able to make it down there, showed him we got the Lathe going and was going to get it cleaned and painted for him to run again, that was the biggest smile I had ever seen on an old ones face, I knew then I was worth it all even just for one,

 

[JackG]

Thanks for the info. The 'Boss' (she who must be obeyed) and I had a nice shrimp dinner at Applebees this evening.