USA Veteran's Day

[Doc Stier]

Happy Veteran's Day to all who served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America at
any point in time.



Thank you for your service!

Doc

[shawnsegler]

No, thanks for yours Doc.

S

[Steve James]

QFT +1

[Doc Stier]

Thanks, guys. Much appreciated.



Doc

[TaoJoannes]

I prefer God Bless Us, Every One, but that's immaterial.

The military is a necessary evil, but soldiers are the best of the race.

Here's to you.

[dragontigerpalm]

To all of those who served past and present and to all that made it back and to all who didn't - many thanks and God bless.

[Doc Stier]

To all of those who served past and present and to all that made it back and to all who didn't - many thanks and God bless.

[Interloper]

My father rarely speaks of WWII and his service, but I've seen pictures from Guadalcanal, where he was part of one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific Theater. I can't bring myself to do something so trite as to "thank" him for what he did and went through, so instead I always tried to live up to the ideals that he fought to defend.

[Doc Stier]

My father rarely speaks of WWII and his service, but I've seen pictures from Guadalcanal, where he was part of one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific Theater. I can't bring myself to do something so trite as to "thank" him for what he did and went through, so instead I always tried to live up to the ideals that he fought to defend.

Interloper:

If you ever watch some of the archive film footage of the Marine experience at Guadalcanal and other islands in the Pacific Theater during WWII, you'll understand why your father would rather not share the horrors of the fighting that took place there. Memories of combat operations are emotionally painful for most wartime veterans, and difficult for others to relate to unless they have had similar experiences.

You may think that your expression of thanks for his service would be trite, but I believe that a simple "Thank you for serving" coming from you would be more deeply appreciated than you can possibly imagine. My father was a Marine in the Pacific Theater during WWII also, and is fading rapidly with advancing years of age. Perhaps your father is as well, so thank him while you still can, and while he is still able to understand that you appreciate his service. It's never to late to say thank you!

http://worldwar2history.info/Guadalcanal/Marines.html
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/US ... canal.html
http://guadalcanal3.homestead.com/CanalWW2pics.html

Doc

[fuga]

My grandfather, who died earlier this year, also served in the Pacific. I am proud of his service, and have been thinking about him a lot today. Thanks to all of you who have served.

[dragontigerpalm]

My dad who was a marine and served in the pacific on a destroyer, the USS Robinson, also died earlier this year. Pretty soon there won't be many WW11 vets left. I remember as a kid not knowing anybody whose dad hadn't served in WW11. Now only a handful are still alive.

[Doc Stier]

Gentlemen:

I share your grief at the passing of your loved ones.

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your families, and my prayers go out to them.

We can honor their service and sacrifices in our behalf by continuing to speak up in defense of the principles they fought for so selflessly, and by working to insure that the freedom which they provided America at such a great cost is never forsaken in our own lifetimes.



Doc

[Jake]

Doc Stier....

You have an incoming private message.....

[Interloper]

Doc,
Point taken. I shall do so. Thanks for your insights.
I have seen some of that footage, and have read accounts by those who could stand to write them. My father served in the Americal Division, U.S. Army and has always been proud of that affiliation. A few years ago I found archived photos of his division at Guadalcanal and it included some film footage. At that point I understood why he never wanted to talk about it.

[Doc Stier]

Interloper:

The Americal Division was notable for serving with great valor. You must be very proud of your father. Here's some info on this famous division for those here who are unfamiliar with it.


AMERICAL DIVISION, (23rd INFANTRY DIVISION) (PTO)
PTO: Pacific Theater of Operations

http://www.americal.org/history.shtml

Doc