Any veterans here?

Tinman

Thank you for serving!

I'm not. It was relatively calm when I came of age, 3 years after Vietnam ended. My dad served 3 years in Korea, earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He's 86 and still haunted by some of what he experienced.

Docfletcher

Yep, I'm a Viet Nam Era Army vet. I was fortunate in that I went to Germany. Most wartime vets keep their stories close to vest. As they age they begin to loosen up a bit. Often explaining that they feel their stories need to be told. Thank your Dad for me.

Jamie Hall

Early Viet Nam era. Defense Intelligence Agency/Special Forces. And I thank all of the veterans, and those still serving.

JUGHNE

The only lottery I ever won made me the last kid drafted out of my county in 1970.
I spent 39 consecutive months on a Greek island in the Med with the USAF.......was never "In Country" as the term was.
That story I keep close to my vest when with any true combat vets.

I certainly salute and thank those who were there and any other war zone place before and since.

STEAM DOCTOR

Paternal grandfather obm was a medic during World War II. Silver Star & Bronze Star recipient. Came ashore day after D-Day invasion. Was also involved in Battle of the Bulge. Received Silver Star for actions during Battle of the Bulge. One of his Superior officers was hit by piece of shrapnel and became disoriented. Started running towards Enemy Lines. My grandfather ran after him, tackled him and dragged him back to the friendly lines. Suffered his entire life from hearing issues resulting from his time in the army. He never liked to talk about his time in the army or things that he had seen.

Tinman

Thanks so much, guys! @Docfletcher - my dad did not utter a single word about Korea until 10 years after his retirement. When he does talk about it, it hurts him and, at the same time, helps him.

Docfletcher

Coax your Dad into speaking, sharing his stories would be a wonderful thing for you in the years to come. Especially if you record them, maybe someday share them with your children ETC.

Tinman

He's actually been an active speaker the last 5 years or so in the Chicago area; high schools, grade schools, different organizations. Never charges anything for it, always ends his speeches with "Freedom isn't free".

Tinman

My Pops. Then and now.

Ironman

Vietnam era. 82nd Airborne.

My dad, WW2 vet; my brother Vietnam era Navy; my middle daughter is just finishing a 6 year AirForce term with 2 deployments to the Middle East. My son in law just finished 8 years in the Air Force with multiple deployments.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Thanks to all Veterans for their service. My father and 3 uncles in WWII.

Ironman

My dad, my hero.