Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeP
I absolutely hate being "thanked for my service."
It was a civic duty that most of us met.
Some of us did not survive.
I had a lot more to say on the subject, but deleted it.
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Mike,
Jerry Burney used to have a tag line that stated: For those who have defended it, freedom has a flavor that most of the "protected" will never know.
I was drafted in October of 1967. I felt it was my civic duty. I was fortunate enough not only to survive, but to continue to serve until February 1988.
I know many that didn't get the call for a variety of reasons, including shirking their civic duty, being too young, being too old, being medically unfit, and the list can go on and on, but these same people being much older and wiser now, are grateful to
those of us that did respond, and I include you in that last group.
My response to anyone who tells me "thank you for your service!" is never "your welcome"...
My response is always: "I was honored to serve."
Different people love this country in different ways... The freedom to express that love is just one of the reasons why I served, and I am sure you did too.
So I will risk upsetting you: "Thank you for YOUR service."
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Sergio, Like many others here, my father was one for whom you have spoken your gratitude.
He was aboard a ship (USS Thomas Stone) that was torpedoed as he went to the fight in North Africa, followed by Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, Belgium, Rhineland, and Germany. He was also one who survived his wounds, and lived to the age of 87 years.
He lived long enough to see the completion of the World War II Memorial in Washington DC in 2005.
He stood only 5 feet 8.5 inches tall, but in my eyes he was taller than any man I ever knew. His deeds, and the deeds of his fellow soldiers live on in the memory and gratitude of people just like you... and me, and the many that have followed his example.
Thanks for
your contribution to
our Memorial Day.
