Veterans! What does it mean to you?

[grouser68]

I was honored last night by a call from a teacher asking me to come to her 4-5th grade class tomorrow and speak to her students about "What it means to be a Veteran". I know what it means to me and can express those feelings.

What does it mean to you? Your input would be greatly appriciated. I will print your replies and read them to the kids if no one has any objections.


Thanks Veterans!

Dale

[skin_dog1]

I don't picture myself as different than anyone else. I served my country in a time of peace, enjoyed the heck out of it and would do it again if asked. The world is made up of all kinds. Some have the desire to serve, some don't. I just wish alot of the ones that don't wouldn't put down those that do. I've never wanted special treatment because of being a veteran, it was a job and somebody had to do it.

[keith meador]

to me, it means you accept a commitment to your country, and your way of life. you volunteer, and serve. you do not question the motive of your peers. becoming a veteran was never my intention, serving my country was. going and seeing the world, not thru someone elses eyes, but seeing it with my own. traveling, and realizing what a great country we do have, all of the liberties, and freedom that we enjoy every day without a second thought. the idea that i can have a job, get a paycheck, and spend it on my family and myself. we have every kind of service imaginable available to us almost around the clock. 24 hour grocery stores, super stores like kmart and walmart, any kind of fast food you could dream of....

we have the ability to purchase vehicles, televisions, computers, refridgerators, freezers, dishwashers, washing machines and driers. we also have the electricity that runs all of the niceties we enjoy every day, and use them without a second thought.

we have running water, sewage disposal, trash pickup, telephone, cable television.....

we can go into our yard and play ball with the kids, have a pet, build a workshop out back to work on home projects......

the american public takes for granted all of the things we have for us. we have all the things we have because a 12 year old child has a dream of being in the military, or a high school kid cant figure out what they want to do with their life, or maybe they cant afford to go to college and they are taking advantage of the education benefits the military offers......

maybe that child has a dream of driving a tank, or flying an airplane, being an infantry soldier, a choice that is theirs to make. none of them have a dream of being called a veteran, i know i didnt.

i thank all of those who have dreamed of being in the military, the ones that joined as a last resort, the ones who joined to make something of themselves, the ones with a dream of a college education, the ones that needed direction and discipline in their lives, the ones who chose the military as an occupation and career.

do i like being called a veteran? i really cant say, no one has ever called me a veteran, and i think i like that better. while i did serve, the people of my country were safe at home, and while i am safe at home, someone is serving.

[Art]

Some have the desire to serve, some don't. I just wish alot of the ones that don't wouldn't put down those that do.


John Kerry?

[RDF]

I join looking at a career, travel and the chance to served my country. I got to see some places I may never see again, made some friendships that are different then any I have made before, and have some memories that will last a life time. My only regret is not joining early, I was 27 years old when I joined. Looking for a change of life, well I got some wonderful change's. Ended up hurting my back and had to get out after Desert Storm.

[jarhedhntr]

John Kerry?

Give me a break Art, this is for a legit cause, leave your political comments out of it. At least he served.

When I joined, I had no idea what it meant to be a veteran. I do know that I didn't join for the glory or anything like that. I felt the need to serve. Even today I get embarrassed when people give thier thanks to me for my service. It was a way of life for me, not a way to earn respect, that just came with it. It did alot for me as a man and as a American. I appreciate what I have alot more now, than I did before.

[Art]

Give me a break Art, this is for a legit cause, leave your political comments out of it. At least he served.

When I joined, I had no idea what it meant to be a veteran. I do know that I didn't join for the glory or anything like that. I felt the need to serve. Even today I get embarrassed when people give thier thanks to me for my service. It was a way of life for me, not a way to earn respect, that just came with it. It did alot for me as a man and as a American. I appreciate what I have alot more now, than I did before.


Geeeze, lighten up! No need to take a shot at me....That was my way of asking what he meant by "people putting him down for serving". He said it, not me.:confused:

Personally, i think everyone SHOULD be proud of what they have done for their country and or themselves, veteran or not. Anytime a good, honest person can pass along what it means to be a good person to young kids then what you are doing is a wonderful thing. Many kids don't get to hear that these days. Good luck, Grouser.

[grouser68]

Thanks for your input guys, I will print these and use them. Let you know how it went later today!

Thanks again, Dale



P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS!Thank goodness for bars! :D Tun Tavern in particular! Semper Fi!

[newshooter05]

i am proud i served in nam and i would again and i dislike all the hoopla the politicians make so they can get the veterans vote but i suppose it is a way to get what they promised.

i turned down the money offered us several years ago because i feel that when you are born here and take what this counrty offers then you are obliged to serve when needed .

only a fool glorifies war or wishes they could be in one.it is a sad truth tho that wars are a part of a nations life and must be waged.i never argue the right or wrong of a war when i served simply because i was a part of it and did it to the best of my abilities but i have strong feelings about the reasons for beginning any war .
david

[grouser68]

Hey guys, just got home at 9:20, went to the school and then to my uncles.

The kids were great!I was supposed to be there for 30-45 minutes but ended up almost being 2 hours!I bet they asked 100 questions. Newshooter05 I did'nt get to print yours but much of what I said was very close to your post.

I was asked:
Whats the biggest machine gun you have ever fired?
How many wars have you been in?
What is in a first aid kit?
How deep is a foxhole?
Is that big long barrel on wheels a machine gun?
Do machine guns kick?
Why is your hair so short in the back?
Why are'nt you wearing your hat?
Why did'nt you bring your gun?
Why don't you ever come to our town for the parade?
What does deployed mean?
Is that a special uniform, it does'nt look camoflaged?

There were many more amusing questions, you just had to be there! I was asked one question that I felt I had better give the generic answer to instead of giving my true opinion on:
My Daddy says he does'nt know why we are fighting in Iraq, whay are we fighting in Iraq? I said: So we can fight the terrorists overseas and not here in America!

Anyway, the kids listened intently to what you guys gave me, then asked questions like: Why would you not want anyone to know your a veteran? I took my dogtags out and read them my Army values tag,Loyalty,Duty,Respect,Selfless Service,Honor, Integrity,Personal Courage. I told them that selfless service meant doing something for someone or some thing not wanting or expecting anything in return. I told them being honorable meant doing the same thing while your alone that would do in front of other people.

I told them they saw veterans everday and would'nt know who they were unless they asked.I tried to express to them that in doing their duty veterans have'nt asked for recognition.At the end I told them they did not have to join the armed forces to be good citizens, but doing some sort of voluteering for their community, giving back to the community in some way was a very honorable way to serve their country.

Guys, I can't thank you enough for your replies, they really went over well! I did'nt have one kid on the nods, they were actually interested!


God Bless you all! Dale

[trust me]

You did a good thing today, Grouser.

[Art]

Good job Grouser.

I can remember when I was a kid and how much it meant to have people like that come to speak to us at school. I think it should be required in schools because they probably are not all getting it from home.

[C.L.Button]

GREAT Job Grouser ! Now let's hope that the impressions made stick with those young folks. We can only hope. :)

[grouser68]

Thanks guys! Truth be told I had a good a time if not better than the kids. The teacher called me last night saying that the kids were really impressed and talked about it the rest of the day.She says next year she wants more Soldiers/Vets, maybe make an all day affair out of it.It was really fun for me and I hope the kids got something from it, I think they did.