Nov 11: Thank you to all veterans & those who cannot be thanks in person

[Linus]

To quote a poem that I remember reading as a kid in Canadian schools:

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.


We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.


Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.


By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

[SuperFemme]

Great thread Linus. I'm going to piggyback of your poem and post something here. I hope you don't mind.

It is Veterans Day today, and as a former military wife I'd like to ask my friends to take a few minutes out of your day to send a letter to a soldier. I'm attaching a link and all you have to do is fill out the letter online. The website will mail the letters for you. In light of the recent events at Ft. Hood I think... it is SO worth a few minutes of our time to make the men and women who serve feel appreciated.



http://letterstosoldiers.org/formletter.html

[Diva]

God bless our soldiers......

Thanks for that link, SF.....it's as good as done! Great idea...especially for this time of year....

~Diva

[The_Lady_Snow]

My Father and all my brothers have served and serve in the military... I wanna give a big shout out to mah Papa who is a Retired LT Colonel in the United States Air Force!! Salud!!

[Jet]

Remembering and saluting all veterans of all wars today
with
Battle Hymn of the Republic


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq50Dh1_U7U"]YouTube- Battle Hymn of the Republic[/ame]

[Tommi]

USAF Tip of my wings to my my military friends here and to the families that wait and love us. Tommi
Patriots' Pride is a Veterans Day celebration in honor of all Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgenders, (LGBT) and other sexual minorities that have served their country honorably and have never throughout the history of the United States of America been treated equally.

We seek to remember our proud tradition across America, in small towns and big cities alike. Now more then ever it is important that each of take a stand to end the horrific discrimination that has been on-going, and in fact encouraged by the very existence of the prejudiced legislation that governs our Armed Forces. As patriots we know our America can do better!

Come together Saturday, November 14, 2009 at noon for a march and rally in honor of LGBT veterans across America near you.


http://www.mypatriotspride.org/


San Diego
Coordinator: Lisa Kove
Contact: eyescu_92116@yahoo.com
Location: 1300 N. Coast Hwy
Oceanside, CA 92054

* Our Location was chosen in memory of Seaman August Provost

San Francisco:
Coordinator: Kathleen Lenfest
Contact: secondhandexplosion@msn.com
Location: TBA

[Novelafemme]

To my grandpa...thank you for your years of service in the Navy.

To my beloved...you know how much respect I have for you. You are incredible. The Marine Corps was damn lucky!!!

Thank you for keeping America safe!

[PinkieLee]

THANK YOU... for me, is an understatement. My father served in the Marine Corps (and still sports the fuckin' fabulous flat top at 69 years old). Being a member of the American Legion Aux for about 30 years, I've spent most of my life surrounded by Veterans and their families. I am thankful, each and every day, for my freedom and know it's because of the sacrifices these men and women have made for the country they love.

[Andrew, Jr.]

I am very proud of all of all the men, and women who give of themselves to keep us safe. Thank you.

And I will repeat the same theme that pretty much everyone has said so far...keep 'em safe til they all come home!

[Legendryder]

I am thankful for all serving in the military taught me, and I damn sure wish I was young enough to be over there kicking ass. I think that is my only regret, I was born too old or too young. But, to those serving now, my thoughts are with you, and smack one for me.

[Greyson]

I just finished exchanging emails with my brother and my nephew, his son, currently serving in Iraq. I thanked them both for their service. I want to thank all of the military and their families for the sacrifices they make, every day.

Semper Fi

[theoddz]

Another proud Marine reporting here!!! Happy 234th Birthday to my fellow Marines here!!! OOOOOORAH!!

....and a huge shout-out to all my fellow Vets here who have served in ALL branches of the Armed Forces.

Thank you to all of our community members who have so thoughtfully remembered those of us and their loved ones who have so proudly "stood the watch". We appreciate your kindness and thoughts of us on this day.

Please take a second and remember those who have paid the ultimate price and are not here today to stand shoulder to shoulder with us in our ranks, and also think of those who are serving today and are so far from home and loved ones. May they all return home, safe and sound.

Semper Fi,
~Theo~

[WolfyOne]

I woke up this morning and said happy veteran's day to R. She was in the navy. I said a silent thank you to all those that are and have served our country. If my mom was alive, today would have been her birthday, so I wished her a happy birthday out loud and told her I missed her. Oh and I even took a dozen doughnuts over to the VFW this morning.

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by June

There have been many times over the years when my personal politics get in the way of remembering those that have chosen to serve our country.

I hate this motherfucking war. I hate that so many innocent people both foreign and domestic have had to die. But, I do love and honor our soldiers and know that most of them are doing this out of love for their country and patriotic duty.

Bring. Them. Home.
So we can thank them in person.

And also, if you're reading this and you've ever served or lost someone close to you. Thank you.

Perfectly said.

[blush]

Thank you, Soldiers.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHb_tjNunL4"]YouTube- Traveling Soldier[/ame]

[Arwen]

Thank you to the United States veterans of yesterday, today and tomorrow. You give so much to this country. I am proud to call some of you friends and others family. I'm honored by your service to our country.

[Jesse]

Thank you to all of the veterans for our freedom and safety.

End this war and send the soldiers home!

[Nat]

Thanks very much for both service and sacrifice - to my grandfather, two great-uncles, my brother's stepfather, my uncle, my sweetheart and to all the other vets out there who have loyally served our country.

[Nat]

In 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimated that there are approximately 131,000 homeless veterans, accounting for 20 percent of the entire homeless population.



National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm

■23% of the homeless population are veterans
■33% of the male homeless population are veterans
■47% served Vietnam-era
■17% served post-Vietnam
■15% served pre-Vietnam
■67% served three or more years
■33% were stationed in war zone
■25% have used VA homeless services
■85% completed high school/GED, compared to 56% of non-veterans
■89% received an honorable discharge
■79% reside in central cities16% reside in suburban areas
■5% reside in rural areas
■76% experience alcohol, drug or mental health problems
■46% are white males, compared to 34% of non-veterans
■46% are age 45 or older, compared to 20% non-veterans
■45% need help finding a job
■37% need help finding housing


Roughly 56 percent of all homeless veterans are African American or Hispanic, despite only accounting for 12.8 percent and 15.4 percent of the U.S. population respectively.



Additional Veteran Links



Gay American Veterans

http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id...55948574448678



The Code Talkers - Native American Indians

http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id...55945274449008



Women Veterans

http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id...55941181116084



The Aztec Eagles - Esquadron 201

http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id...55937154449820



K-9 Pride

http://k9pride.com/?p=744



How Dogs help veterans cope with PTSD

http://www.time.com/time/video/playe...030797,00.html



Serving Veterans and their Families

http://www.serve.gov/families.asp

[socialjustice_fsu]

I had the honor and privilege to stand before a group of approximately 300 Veterans and their loved ones to deliver a speech of gratitude for their valor and sacrifices. The hospice I work for as a licensed clinical social worker had taken to task to show our collective appreciation to the Veteran's we often serve in the healthcare arena. Never could you have convinced me I would be making this presentation even a year ago. Many in attendance were WWII Veterans. To look out into a sea of weathered, worn, and tired Veterans' faces and see their tears fall as I (very choked up) said to them "Thank you for your service...you are, indeed, The Greatest Generation." At the conclusion of my speech each Veteran's name was called. Our staff presented them with a distinguished certificate of appreciation and a lapel pin in honor of their service. At each pinning several active military men and women walked up to them and saluted them. I will tell you from my heart...I witnessed men and women pulling themselves up from their wheelchairs and returning the salute back to them. Many have Alzheimer's or a form of dementia...but somehow by the Grace of God they knew...they really knew for just a few minutes they were being honored. Some uttered words today that have not spoken in 2 or 3 years. For me, I have been honored to be in their presence. To be a witness to this event has softened my heart and fostered my pride in still the greatest Nation on earth.

Thank you, Veteran's. You will not be forgotten.