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

[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.

[IttyBittyFem]

Originally Posted by 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.

DITTO

In LOVING Memory and Pride

Walter Sheppard Elliott

* Selected personally by General Omar Bradley, to a two man Planning Committee (with General Charles A. Hart), quartered in the home of Wally Simpson, Bryanston Square.
Prepared the planning of the Invasion and follow-up in Normandy, - "Operation Over-Lord" (D-Day-WWII) under "Bigot" classification (classification above Top Secret), accepted by General Eisenhower (President).

* Request personally granted by General Bradley to join in the 1ST Division, aboard the LST 391, scheduled to assault Omaha Beach on D-Day.

* Liberated all prisoners at Nazi concentration camp, "Buchenwald"

An American Hero


MY HERO - MY HOMAGE - MY "PAL"

.

I miss you Daddy
:

. .

My apologies, I can not resist an opportunity to boast about my Father's historical accomplishments.

[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

[1PlayfulFemme]

To Our Veterans,

There are no words to describe the level of gratitude that I feel. Each day that you served, regardless of the location, was a sacrifice. That will not be forgotten. We take so many things for granted in this country, but I promise to never take your time, your service, or YOU for granted.

Thank you for your love for our country, your many sacrifices, your willingness to serve no matter the circumstances. Thank you for what it meant, especially, if you had to serve silently in order to protect yourself, your job, and possibly your pension.

Thank you for everything. If you are plagued with nightmares, I hope they can be replaced with peace. If you were injured, I hope it heals completely. If you lost friends, I hope you have a vault of happy memories.

Thank you...from the bottom of my heart. YOU are the reason we have the freedoms we have. YOU are the reason we can wake up each day and not have the kind of governments others are forced to live with. YOU are the reason that we can take so much for granted. May that never be forgotten.

In Eternal Gratitude,
Lis