Awesome Veterans Day Celebration

[Guest db99wj]

Every year my kids school, St. Louis Catholic school has a Veterans Day Mass and assembly after wards which includes presentations, songs and recognition through a slide show of our veterans and then some food. We have a lot of veterans dating back and even several currently serving members that have had tours in Iraq. The slide show is going on and there are pictures of old and young, even a picture of me when I was about 18 or 19 (20 years ago) at Ft. Knox. I still look that young too by the way...., anyway, there is a picture of a guy, then a few slides later, the same guy, except he is being helped off a plane, then a few more go by, and it is a picture of him receiving his Purple Heart in a hospital bed, it's the guy that is a row up from me. Young guy, he's 21 or 22 (graduated from our elementary school in 2002, high school in 2006), sitting there with his Marines hoodie on. He went to Afghanistan in July, his Stryker (I think that is what they were in, he was the gunner someone said) hit with an IED in September of this year. He was thrown from the vehicle and sustained multiple head and face injuries. He is back here in Memphis undergoing some surgeries, his eyes still blood shot from them and dealing with his injuries. I was not able to talk to him due to the crowd around him after wards, but he received numerous standing ovations from the kids, teachers and staff, but the first ones to stand up were us Veterans, especially the older ones that are part of the "Greatest Generation". Thank you Hunter for your sacrifice, your service, thank you.

It was hard to feel worthy in such a presence of these men and women that have served, see, I did not go to a war zone, I stayed state side throughout my 6 active years and 2 inactive years of the Tennessee Army National Guard, we were very close (48hr call, we were packed and ready to go) to going to the Gulf War, but it ended. I understand I signed that blank check, but I was struck with awe being in the midst of all these great people, the pictures of them in war zones, far away from home, away from their families, wondering, hoping that they would indeed see them again. So there I sat, being honored, but honored to be part of this elite group of men and women that signed up, supported, fought, and died for this great country, the United States of America.

God Bless, and God Bless the USA.

[Guest Sgt. Joe]

That is a very nice post db99wj. I do understand how you feel around all those great heroes as I feel the same way.

But it does not matter that you did not make it to a CZ, even those who have will always look and see someone else who we feel did more than we did.

You signed that check and that is all that matters THANK YOU SIR

For me today is about Sgt Dustin (Dusty) Carrol, 21 years old from McKenzie Tn. He is the one of us who did not make it back. It bothers me still... WHY did it have to be someone so young? Why not someone older like myself? There is no logic in any of it and there never has been.

Today my thoughts and Prayers are for Dusty and his family and for the families and friends of all of those throughout the years that have had that check cashed so that we all could be Free to enjoy our lives as we do.

While I am humbled by those such as your friend and one of mine who is in similar shape due to an IED and those who have given all. Today is still about YOU and I Thank You for the years you gave to our country.

I also always want to make sure that I mention that I hold all of our LEO's in the same regard as our service members, their 24/7 dedication is just as important to me as our military is and I feel they should have their own National Holiday also.

[LagerHead]

Every year my kids school, St. Louis Catholic school has a Veterans Day Mass and assembly after wards which includes presentations, songs and recognition through a slide show of our veterans and then some food. We have a lot of veterans dating back and even several currently serving members that have had tours in Iraq. The slide show is going on and there are pictures of old and young, even a picture of me when I was about 18 or 19 (20 years ago) at Ft. Knox. I still look that young too by the way...., anyway, there is a picture of a guy, then a few slides later, the same guy, except he is being helped off a plane, then a few more go by, and it is a picture of him receiving his Purple Heart in a hospital bed, it's the guy that is a row up from me. Young guy, he's 21 or 22 (graduated from our elementary school in 2002, high school in 2006), sitting there with his Marines hoodie on. He went to Afghanistan in July, his Stryker (I think that is what they were in, he was the gunner someone said) hit with an IED in September of this year. He was thrown from the vehicle and sustained multiple head and face injuries. He is back here in Memphis undergoing some surgeries, his eyes still blood shot from them and dealing with his injuries. I was not able to talk to him due to the crowd around him after wards, but he received numerous standing ovations from the kids, teachers and staff, but the first ones to stand up were us Veterans, especially the older ones that are part of the "Greatest Generation". Thank you Hunter for your sacrifice, your service, thank you.

It was hard to feel worthy in such a presence of these men and women that have served, see, I did not go to a war zone, I stayed state side throughout my 6 active years and 2 inactive years of the Tennessee Army National Guard, we were very close (48hr call, we were packed and ready to go) to going to the Gulf War, but it ended. I understand I signed that blank check, but I was struck with awe being in the midst of all these great people, the pictures of them in war zones, far away from home, away from their families, wondering, hoping that they would indeed see them again. So there I sat, being honored, but honored to be part of this elite group of men and women that signed up, supported, fought, and died for this great country, the United States of America.

God Bless, and God Bless the USA.

Same here. 5 years active, starting in '92 so I missed the Gulf War. I was out well before 9/11. I did my time but I never had to lay my life on the line for any more noble cause than jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. So while I am technically a vet, I don't presume to put myself on par with those that have faced the possibility of giving, or have given, the ultimate sacrifice. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for all you do to preserve freedom here and abroad.

[Guest bkelm18]

I echo the words that though I am a vet, I did not serve in combat so I don't hold myself on the same level as those that have. I have the greatest respect for them.

[R1100R]

That was a very nice story.

I walked into my daughters school to pick her up. I was in uniform. I had every child from K thru 5 walk up to me and say " Thank you for your Service".

They are teaching the kid's right at Gladeville Elementary. I had to get out of there because I was tearing up. It is for them and each other I do what I do.

I have the privilege of taking care of our Reserve Service Members and Families on their first 90 days back in the USA for reintegration and needs.