Thank You for your selfless service so that every American can stay free.
I am a veteran, not of any war but I served my country during the mid 70's for 4 years. When I first enlisted, we were called a W.A.C. (Women's Army Corp), we trained in places different from men for basic training and our training was different as well. Our daily uniform, Fatigues (what they call BDU's today) was also worn differently, we had to wear our shirt hanging out instead of tucked into our belt (as the men wore their uniform) as the Army didn't want the men to be distracted by our shape/waist (can you believe that!!).
I met my husband while I was still in the Army, I got out as an E-5, he was a 1LT when we met and he retired a few years back with 30 years (active and reserve) as an 0-6.
Our daughter did ROTC in college and served her 4 years after and got out as a Captain. She was able to be Airborne and when I was in all those years ago, it wasn't possible for a woman to be Airborne. I helped pave her way and those of all the other women that have been in since the 70's.
"I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died that gave that right to me, and I'll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God Bless The USA"
- Lee Greenwood -
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thanking Those Who Have Served
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12 COMMENTS:
I too wanted to serve way back when, but the rules were so different for females that I decided not to enlist. I spent my working life fighting for equality. Things are indeed much different than they once were. I'm happy about that. Thank you for your service. I thank everyone that has served or is serving this great country. Big hug. :)
You and I were probably in around the same time as I served from 1976 to 1981 and am not a veteran of any single war at all which makes me non-eligible for any sort of Veterans preference. It actually kind of embarrasses me when people thank me for my service because I didn't really do much of anything other than what was required of me during peace time. Perhaps I had some small hand in keeping New Jersey safe but I doubt it!
Still, I wouldn't have missed it for the world and I'd do it all over again if I could - though this time I'd stay in for the full 20 and retire at age 37!
Oh may I first say thank you, your husband, and your daughter.
What an honor to be in Airborne.
We join you today in our celebration of the troops as well.
My son-in-law was active army for 12 years and now in the guard for 4 years.
He was in Desert Storm and just returned last summer from Iraq.
We are praying that he will not see Afghanistan but it looks as if he will.
I too stand proud to be an American and may God bless America and her troops!!
My cousin Judy Joined the navy in the 60's and stayed in until she retired a couple of years ago. I joined the USAF during Viet-Nam. I have had other members of my extended family serve in different branches during different decades. We all served our country.I thank you for your service to our Great country.
I was supposed to 4 month of service (at that time mandatory for every Swiss man at the age of 20), I served 2 years and I was a warrant officer. I wanted the military to become my work. It did not work out(I wrote about it). I always have admired soldiers serving their country, specially in war.
Yesterdays ceremonies for the armistice of WWI moved me very much.
Indeed, thanks are very much due. I also love the Lee Greenwood song. I hope it never becomes trite to say that freedom isn't free. I haven't served, but I respect all who have and am grateful. Thank you, Deb!
Thank you for your service Flo and that of your family! We would not be free if it weren't for people like you and your family!
Nice Post. Good for you. I also was a 30-year-man; retired in 1995.
Thank you and your family. My husband is retired from the Air Force and I know that I have certainly come to appreciate the wonderful people in the military much more since I met him.
Thanks Flo, to you and your husband and daughter. I know w few WAC's, and things were definitely different back then. I severed in the early 80's, and we trained alongside the female recruits in basic and AIT. I participated in no war, and feel the same as Linda. I don't consider myself a veteran, because I think of them as serving during war time.
My son is now preparing for his second deployment, and I have a nephew that is in Iraq now, and volunteering to go to Afghanistan upon his return. I'm not happy about it, but am very proud of him.
Thats amazing that they didn't want the women to show their curves and figure's while around the men. I never knew that the military was that strict about things like that back in the 1970s.
I just wonder if its still that way now?
~ Christopher ~
http://cmarlow480.blogspot.com/
That's so cool, thanks to you, your husband and daughter for serving! That's pretty funny about having to wear your shirt out.
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