by Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley
Member since:
October 5, 2007

Monday Chat: Tell Me About YOUR Veteran!

November 12, 2007 08:06 AM EST (Updated: November 12, 2007 08:54 AM EST)
views: 39 | comments: 18

Happy Veteran's Day! 

Are you or a family member active duty or retired from the military? Is your brother, father, sister, cousin or mother a veteran? Was your dearly departed grandfather a Purple Heart recipient?

I would like to salute these brave souls and to thank them for standing up to protect us and our freedom.

My father was a WWII vet, and had his legs amputated as a result of his participation in that conflict. He was quite a character, although unfortunately I never got to know him as well as I would have liked to.

My father-in-law was in the USAF during the Korean War... and my son is now in the Navy, training to work on a submarine.

No story is too long... feel free to tell me whatever you'd like to. I'm interested!

*****************edit**************

I will not be commenting unless someone asks me a question. I just want to read your vet stories!

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Comments: 18

Virginia V. Nov 12, 2007, 8:27am EST
I am married to a Vietnam Vet. He came back with nothing missing, but hooked on drugs. I met him about nine years after he had been to the war and he was still acting weird. Like he would jump in his sleep, was very agressive and he told me some crazy stories about the war.
Danielle P. Nov 12, 2007, 8:40am EST
My grandfather was in WWII and is still alive. He is 84. He was in the Air force and still talks about it. He served for 25 years and retired. Came home and worked another 25 years and retired from that civilian job.
J. G. Weddle Nov 12, 2007, 8:47am EST
Grandfather was WW2 vet, wife's grandfather went onto Omaha beach at Normandy, father was USAF during Korea, and I am retired USAF.
Charlotte K. Nov 12, 2007, 9:05am EST
My Ex Father in law was in the Army during the Korean War and WWII he told me that in WWII he had a driver that was blind in one eye...goes to show you how much the military has changed since then!!
My mother and father were both vets. My mom a Navy nurse, my father was in the Army. They met while stationed together in the South Pacific.
Elaine B. Nov 12, 2007, 12:56pm EST
I am married to a veteran who served in vietnam. My oldest brother also served in Vietnam. But he's now deceased. The army gave my brother a nice funeral last year. I salute all veterans.
Elaine B. Nov 12, 2007, 12:57pm EST
Thanks for posting this great article, Lydia.
William Dotani Nov 12, 2007, 3:16pm EST
My uncle was in the Air Force during the Korean War. He never talked about it. His job was something to do with logistics. I joined (not drafted) during the Vietnam War. I was sent to Germany. Another of my uncles lied about his age and joined the Navy during WW2 at the age of 16. He was on a transport ship in the South Pacific. He refuses to talk about it.
Harrel (Len) Phillips Nov 12, 2007, 5:48pm EST
My oldest brother was in the Merchant Marines in WWII. He is deceased. My next oldest brother served in the Army during the Korean conflict and he is now deceased. I served 11 years in the Army during the Viet Nam conflict. 7 years overseas and 6 years with the National Security Agency. Thanks Lydia for providing a place to honor our vets.
Susan E. Nov 12, 2007, 6:11pm EST
My dad served in the South Pacific during WW II. He rarely talked about the war when I was a kid. I have gotten him to talk about it in the last few years. I've been trying to record him, but that's more complicated than it seems. I know he was in Japan after the bombing, but that's one part he never talks about. He has one of those stories that could mean "I almost wasn't here." His ship was bombed, and many were injured or killed, but he was below deck and didn't know what happened until after. He starts to cry a little when he talks about it, since he knows his buddies died and he is ok. He's 85 now; I know I'm not going to have him much longer, so I try to treasure every day with him.
Charles Temm JR Nov 12, 2007, 6:20pm EST
My son, enlisted shortly after 9/11 and has been serving since. All the time in the 82d Airborne as a mortarman, almost all of it overseas. He's got some good stories and alot of pictures...

He's become quite the solid young man and despite all of his home front problems has remained a dedicated father to his beautiful daughters!
Marilyn M. Nov 12, 2007, 6:34pm EST
My dad was in WWII. He dropped out of school to go at 17 and was in the Seabees. We never knew a lot about what happened to him there. He told me some stories when I was 21. He told us all more when he was in his 70's. Bless his heart, all those years when he talked in his sleep and tossed and turned, he was probably thinking about the war and we never realized. Guess he had some PTSD. He passed away 8/05.

I have one cousin who served in Nam. He's never been the same since. Before, he was a brilliant writer, and actually during his time there, he wrote some wonderful and witty letters home. But when he returned, he went to work in a factory and has worked there since. He never felt capable of doing anything more.
August Lady Nov 12, 2007, 6:57pm EST
He's a good friend, a Vietnam Vet, and he had triple bypass surgery 6 weeks ago. He's doing OK!
Sherrie H. Nov 12, 2007, 7:57pm EST
Thanks for doing this Lydia... no stories to share, but I appreciated the others.
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Nov 12, 2007, 8:45pm EST
Dan, did I miss something? Who?
Sandra T. Nov 13, 2007, 12:26am EST
My grandfather was in World War II and my Uncle was in Korea. Happy Veteran's Day everyone. BLESSINGS and SUPPORT for all our ACTIVE troops... I'm so behind them all even if I don't like war. I will forever look up to all the women and men who fight for this country.
Sophiya S. Dec 3, 2007, 11:18pm EST
thanks for the great share

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