Thanks Veterans! (Washington: home, live, military)

[Maineah]

On the eve of Veterans Day I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Veterans who have served with dignity in our armed services. Without your service to this nation we would not be here. We owe you all a great debt we can never repay. Our thanks is all we have to give along with our commitment to be there for you all in any way we can for as long as you need us. Hats off to you all!

Thank You!

Maineah

[dmyankee]

To all the Leathernecks out there...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Semper Fi.

[CoastalMaine]

Well said Maineah. I thank you all as well.

[island mermaid]

Happy Veterans Day to all that have served, to those that are currently serving and to the newest recruits!

[Maine Writer]

Thank you!

[Fern435]

Thank you to all who have served our country in the military.

[SailorGirl2001]

Veteran's are certainly not given enough recognition for their sacrifice and service these days. So, thank you for all that you did and continue to do. We appreicate it.

[Acadianlion]

You're welcome!

[BrokenTap]

Dear Butch,

I know you remember that day well, 38 summers ago standing in the rice patty with my father as you heard the thud of a bullet hitting a body. Nanoseconds later you heard the rifle report and for a split second you and my father knew one of you had been hit, but was not sure which one. Unfortunately it was you.

You never returned to the United States again, even though you made it through boot camp, became best friends with my Dad and did two tours of duty in Vietnam. To die three days before your return home hardly seems fair.

The Survivor Guilt is deep within my dad, even now, but he picked himself up by his boot laces and did well these past 38 years. He has used his medic training to save two lives, doing tracheotomy’s on the side of the road to save car accident victims. He also opened his home to hundreds of foster children, had three children of his own and adopted six more. He’s done some good despite the memories of Vietnam.

The sad thing is, I will never know your real name. Dad never talks about Vietnam and it is too painful to ask what your real name is. Butch is all I will ever know.

I have touched your name once though, on the wall in Washington, DC. I was too small to remember the name, but small enough so that I could be put on my Uncles shoulders and rub your name with chalk onto a piece of paper as Dad cried…really cried. I had never seen my Dad cry before, but of all the names…one name…your name…touched him the most.

Despite 38 years of silence, one thing needs to be said. Not from my Dad, but from me Butch. Thanks for taking that bullet for my Dad.

Written by a Son of a Disabled Vietnam Veteran

[cebdark]

Thank you!