Monday, May 28, 2012

Your Turn

Has anyone here served in the military? Family members in the military? Today is the day to talk all about it.

50 comments:

  1. Favorite nephew, a marine, just got home from his second tour in Afghanistan. Very grateful he's home safe and sound.

    He just began a 30-day leave and is using some of his time to visit his dear Auntie Em. Can't wait to see him!

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  2. Father - Navy

    Very VERY proud of those who serve

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  3. My father served in the Air National Guard to avoid the war, just like Bush. Other than that, no.

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  4. Grandpa was the Captain of a Navy minesweeper during WWII and Korea.

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  5. My dad was in the Air Force. My brother was a sniper in The Marines. He has a Purple Heart.
    Many thanks to all of our soldiers out there!

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  6. My father served in WWII, first in the infantry and later in intelligence. My uncle died in WWII, in Normandy. My brother was career Army. My son is career Army. Another son is in the Air Force and will be getting out in February 2013. Both of my sons have done one tour in Iraq. My Army son will be deployed to Afghanistan next year. Various cousins as well in the Army and Navy.

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  7. I'm the first in 3 generations to not go in the military. Gramps served in Korea, mom was in the army, dad was a marine, aunt was in the navy, sister & brother-in-law in air force.
    My sister was in Iraq for awhile, came back with pretty bad PTSD. Brother-in-law was in Afghanistan, but luckily came back fine.

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  8. My great grandfather was in WWI and WWII. Stormed the beaches at Vimy, he did.

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  9. Both my grandfathers and three great uncles served in WWII. My mom's dad was a Seabee. My dad was career AF, Vietnam Vet. I always wanted to join up, first as a combat pilot for USAF, but gender and bad eyes prevented that. Second as a Navy Chaplain. Other things got in the way there.

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  10. father was in the army and went to vietnam. his brother (my uncle) also went to vietnam and was career army. his MOS involved finding MIA/POW for SE Asian. another uncle in the navy served at the white house. me i work for the VA provding MH services for homeless vets.

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  11. I don't know much about my family, but I do know that my paternal grandfather was 4F in WW2, because he only had one lung. I can't remember why, I think he had had TB.
    My grandfather already had 2 kids with his wife before the war, but during the war he took a lot of advantage of being one of the few young men left in town (who happened to be suave and handsome too). He had a love child with another lady, my grandmother almost divorced him, and if she had, my father would've never been born. Nor I, I suppose.

    My dad's draft number for Vietnam was never called. He served in the National Guard then, but in his situation, he was still eligible to be drafted. Just never called.

    I hope some of the relatives I don't know about served in the military somehow. It bothers me to think NONE of my relatives did.

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  12. Dad was in the Army in WW2 - was with the troops that liberated Dachau. Various uncles were in the Army & Navy - all returned safely, Thank God.

    Have 2 nephews in the Air Force - one is a supply sargent - been to Iraq & Djouboti (sp?). The 2nd one is an air traffic controller - been to Iraq & later Kuwait. He's also a sargent.

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  13. My dad was drafted into the army for WWII from Ohio, he never went over seas due to medical issues. He was stationed in the LA area going up and down the coast looking for Japanese submarines. Stationed at Santa Anita racetrack. He never went back to Ohio, stayed in California.

    My half brother served in Vietnam, was injured and returned home to a productive life. Luckily no PTSD.

    My uncle was already in the Navy before WWII. He was on several ships in the Pacific. He was injured in a torpedo blast, woke up in Hawaii and had lost all hearing on his left side.

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  14. Maternal grandfather was a Marine in WWII, came home with a Purple Heart after he was shot in the shoulder in Guam. Paternal grandfather served in Vietnam; spent six months in military jail for disobeying orders, went MIA for another two months with a "me love you long time" gal...his stories are waaay different from my maternal grandfather's. ;)

    My younger (and only) brother is currently serving in the Army; he's a Senior Line Medic, just returned from a deployment to Turkey (our soon-to-be new war zone on the Iran border). He's stationed in Grafenwoehr, Germany, and JUST got married yesterday to his Bavarian girlfriend - LOVE HER! So proud of him, and find it so very special they tied the knot over Memorial Day weekend. My parents flew to Bavaria for the big day. Hubby and I stayed stateside.

    Oh, the stories my brother has told me about his missions to Romania, and deployment to Turkey. I am in awe of those who serve. Love them, all.

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  16. My Mum is a retired Royal Australian Naval Officer.

    My Dad is a retired Royal Australian Naval Sailor.

    I have two brothers currently serving as Sailors in the Royal Australian Navy.

    Very, very proud of all of them, all of the time.

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  17. My cousin Rey just started a year long tour. He's made his career in the Army. I'm very proud of him and all those who are protecting our country. May God bless them all.

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  18. Deceased Father enlisted a little late for WWII, 1942, so he was in on the liberating of some of the concentration camps in Germany-haunted him forever.

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  19. My hubby is active-duty Army, and is an air traffic controller. He recently returned from his 2nd tour in Iraq. Thanks to all who have served, and continue to serve. For those who might be interested, you can send a $2 Cup of Joe to a troop overseas, along with a message of thanks. http://www.greenbeanscoffee.com/coj/ I find it a great way to say thank you. :)

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  20. My husband and I are both veterans. We met through the military when we both drilled at the same base. He was a Marine and I was in the Navy. My father and both of his brothers served in the military too-one Navy and two Army.

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  21. Dad was a paratrooper befor Vietnam. My aunt was in the Air Force and is currently a National guard. Sister was career AF and nephew was AF. Thanks to everyone who serves and keeps us safe.

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  22. ~WWI My uncle (who died in the war) and my husband's grandpa who fought in Italy (My husband did get to meet his Grandpa in Italy)
    ~WWII 5 uncles,father in law and
    1 uncle that was a pacifist so they assigned him to the chapel rather than combat.....
    ~Korea- 2 Uncles , 1 cousin , father in law
    ~Vietnam - 1 uncle, 4 cousins.

    Only 1 died while in service(WW1.) 1 Uncle was a Lt Colonel, 1 cousin was a Navy Captain;valor included 1 purple heart and 1 Italian Medal,and my WWI Uncle had a little landing named after him in my hometown.1 Uncle who served at DDAY later became part of a unit that led the Jews out of the camps in Poland. Finally talked about it only a few months before he died.(

    Thanks for those who serve and to their families.

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  23. My great-grandpa (WWI), both grandfathers (WWII), my dad (Vietnam era, but not sent there-- he finished med school just as the conflict was ending), brother (reserves). Since my dad and brother have other jobs I don't really think of us as a military family...but in a way we are. Thanks for the reminder.

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  24. My Grand Dad enlisted the day they bombed Pearl Harbor, I grew up hearing the stories and have his Purple Heart....
    He was in the Philippines and loved the people, and he had the most respect for the Japanese Army, he said they deserved that.
    Now the Nazi's that's another story...

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  25. Anonymous1:21 PM

    Hubby is active duty AF pilot, 9 years in. My dad is a veteran helicopter pilot of the Royal Army Air Corps. My uncle (dad's brother) is a veteran of the British Army. My grandfather (dad's side) also a British Army vet, who helped create some original tank designs for WWII. And my other grandfather is a US Navy vet.

    Needless to say I am proud beyond belief of the men in my life.

    Thank you to all who have served, currently serve, and those we have lost. We will never forget you!

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  26. Grandfather WW1. Father, uncle, aunt WW 11. Lost a distant cousin in ww2. Husband served in Vietnam, and isnt a psycho, like the stereo type. I appreciate all their service and I know it gives my freedom, which, being American, I cldnt live without. Thank you military!!!!

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  27. My father in law served in Korea-US Army, my father also served in Korea-US Army and my husband just retired from the US Navy after 21 years of service. We have many other family members and friends who have served or are currently serving in all the branches. Thank you so much for all you do and a special thank you to the families-especially to the spouses and the children.

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  28. My dad was in the Navy...as were my three uncles.

    I hope everyone's family in the military come home safe and soon.

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  29. I was to young for Vietnam.
    Father served in Marine Corps during WWII Mom in the Navy. They met while stationed in Hawaii.

    Paternal Grandfather served in WWI artillery unit as best I can tell never left the country but did get naturalized. Maternal Grandfather served under Pershing on the Mexican boarder.

    Maternal Great and Great Great Grandfathers enlisted during Civil War ages 14 and 34. Great Grandfather was Cavalry rode with Custer's brigade through the Shenandoah valley.

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  30. Love the Civil War ancestry!

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  31. My dad was in the AF and my parents are buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The only good thing about them being buried so far away is that they get a ton of people paying their respects on a daily basis. My paternal grandfather and most of his brothers and all of their sons served. All of my dad's brothers served as well. One was a pilot that got taken down via Tailhook - anyone remember that? I was a little too young, but he couldn't make rank after that and had to retire...lol

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  32. Anonymous3:02 PM

    Going back to the first ancestor I've been able to trace, who was conscripted into the British Army and walked away from his Irish home, leaving his white ox standing in the field, later deserting while in what is now South Carolina and marrying someone known only in the family records as "Indian Woman", the Syko family has had a long and sometimes illustrious (mostly not) military heritage.

    My great great grandfather died at Chickamauga, and three years later his wife died in a chicken house fire, leaving six children. Another great great had 11 children, served in the Civil War, came home and was shortly widowed, married a 19 year old girl and had 11 more children. Think what he could have accomplished had it not been for that inconvenient war keeping him away from home, and the fact that he died quite young, in his early 60s. Yet another great great spent most of the Recent Unpleasantness in prison camp at Rock Island, IL, and after his parole he walked home to Alabama, saw what the war had done to his land, turned right and kept on walking to Texas.

    My dad was a paratrooper in WWII and jumped into the Normandy invasion. He told me about Eisenhower speaking with the paratroopers before they got on the plane and telling them that they probably would die that day. They all got on the plane anyway, and a huge number of them did die, but my dad lived on to switch from the Army Air Corps to the Air Force and fly a desk in Korea.

    I have several cousins who served in Vietnam, and a son-in-law who was in the peacetime Navy...but he still gave six years of his life, and was on the ship that rescued the passengers from the previously-named Andrea Doria when it was burning and the crew deserted the ship. Italy gave him a medal (as well as the other guys on the ship).

    Me? Nope. Although living near a couple of Navy bases, I often used to do my best to keep morale high. ;)

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  33. @Snowstorms- yes, I remember Tailhook.Took down many....
    Know that your parents will always be visited !

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  34. I served for 30 years in the Air Force (just recently retired). I deployed several times to the desert (voluntarily). Various family members have served and retired from all four branches

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  35. I got goosebumps reading everyone's incredible stories!!

    Both of my grandfather's served in Korea-Navy & Army.
    THANK YOU and God Bless all of those who have and continue to serve!!!!

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  36. My parents met because my native NY'er dad was a courier during Vietnam and Treasure Island (sf bay) was his home base..and I totally agree with everyone's stories being chill-inducing...

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  37. Myself and my late father- retired Navy. Late Grandfather and 1 brother- Navy vets. 1 brother- Coast Guard vet. 1 Niece, active duty Navy. We are a proud sea-service family.

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  38. My father was in Navy WWII. My Uncle went into Navy in 1937 and spent WWII on Subs. My husband was in Korea, my brother was Navy (VN era). My husband's uncle was killed by the Japanese during WWII. My son in law was in the Navy. My Niece is a Capt. in the Army, her sister is a Sgt. in the Army. I have a nephew who is in the Navy (lifer) and one in the Army.
    I pray for them all the time.

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  39. One cousin is in the Navy, and the other cousin was in the Marines.

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  40. My Grandpa was a WW2 prisoner of war in a Polish prison camp for a year and a half. He is one of the oldest WW2 POWs alive. He has some amazing stories, but didn't start sharing them until a few years ago.

    My dad was Vietnam Vet Green Beret. Bronze star and purple heart recipient after making a failed attempt to revive his captain after he himself stepped on a booby trap that caused him to lose his leg. He's had terrible PTSD and it's been quite an experience. He's an amazing artist and uses his experience in his works.

    I am very anti war, but very pro Soldier.

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  41. My dad was in the National Guard back in the '50s & early '60s; I think he got out around the time my brother was born in '65, but I'm not sure. My mother's oldest brother was in the Army at the end of WWII; I don't think he saw any combat, but I'd have to ask her. Her favorite brother died in Korea, but not due to enemy action--it was a stupid truck accident, and of the 20+ soldiers on the truck, he was the only one who didn't make it. He's buried in a military cemetery on Long Island, and I don't think my mother has ever completely gotten over it. (On the bright side, my grandparents came into a modest amount of money after Donnie died, and my grandmother used her half to file for divorce. The general consensus was that Donnie would have wanted it that way, and would very much have appreciated it.) I also have at least one young cousin who went to Iraq (I believe he's home now). Oh, and my great-great-great grandfather Charles Titus fought in the Civil War with a Vermont regiment; he made it home safely, and we still have his miniature soldier's Bible and the photos of his wife and my great-great grandmother Permelia as a wee girl that he carried with him throughout the war.

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  42. Oh, I forget another cousin who joined the Air Force during Vietnam; he ended up working in an office at Korat Air Base near Bangkok because he could type, and married one of the local girls; they were together for 30+ years until she passed away. Apparently she was working as a laundress at the time; laundresses have ways of marking each client's clothing to make sure they get back all the clothes they sent out, and he was #1...this tickled him greatly, he ended up meeting her, and it all went from there. :-)

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  43. ^^^robin my dad met his wife my mom while stationed in Korat, both he and she worked at the base. (my mom was a local girl as well who worked on base as it was a good paying job) they met fell in love and are still married to this day 42 years later.

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  44. Dad spent 24 years in the AF. He was a fighter pilot. Husband spent 9 years in the Army. Would have made it a career had he not developed juvenile diabetes at the age of 24. Brother in law retired Navy. Ex brother in law active duty Marines nearing retirement. Father in law was in the Army. Between them they've served 9 tours of duty in wartime. My husband getting diabetes was the worse thing in his life and has felt cheated because it took him out of service. He cries whenever he hears the National Anthem or pretty much any song about love for our country. Proud of them... it's in their blood.

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  45. Both brothers served in the Army. One is a loser who I want nothing to do with. The other brother served 6 years as a Sgt in the late 80's. He died 2 months ago so we were out at the cemetery honoring him today. And my boyfriend served 6 years in the Navy and served in Desert Storm. I can't thank every single one of our past, present and future servicemen/women for their service. God bless you all!

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  46. I did. On Veteran's Day I blush when people thank us- which only happens since 9/11- but today it makes me uncomfortable, because Memorial Day is for those who didn't come back.

    I got teary eyed going to work this morning while passing the cemetery- little American flags were all over.

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  47. Late to the party as usual. My father was a pilot in the Army Air Corps in WWII and flew bombing missions over Germany. My father-in-law served as a Marine in the Korean War. My Brother was in the Navy for 20 years and I have a nephew in the Navy.

    My husband served in the Marine Corps for 21 years. Both of my sons are in the Marine Corps.

    I live way down here in AZ in Sierra Vista, home to Ft. Huachuca and the Buffalo Soldiers. We drive by an Army cemetery everyday, lest we forget.

    As you can see the Military is very close to my heart. I want to thank each and everyone who has served, is serving or will serve for their sacrifice for our great country.

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  48. My brother in law. Escaped from the collapsing North Tower on 9/11 with about 2 minutes to spare (because he carried a woman down something like 50 flights) and even though he was in the 'National' Guard reserves, they shipped him off to Afghanistan.

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  49. My grandfather was in the Air Force. Dad was in National Guard and cousin was a Marine. My husband's grandfather was a POW during WW2.

    Such sacrifices these men and women made and still make for us every day.

    Did anyone catch CBS Sunday Morning's story on a man who attends funerals of fallen soldiers and recruits locals to help him display flags for the processional route? It was very touching. Here is the link if anyone would like to watch.

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