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SonnyB · 07-23-2015, 02:50 PM

Unless you've been a soldier,
You just won't understand.
The things we have seen and done,
In the service of our land.
We have learned to live in combat,
To cope with awful sights,
That shouldn't be seen by anyone
And keep you awake at nights.

We don't discuss the wounds we have,
To the body and the mind.
We just put our hurts behind us,
And turn our memories to blind.
We are proud we served our country,
And remember those we lost.
For the freedom you have today,
They paid the awful cost.

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Ray,IN · 07-23-2015, 03:13 PM

Thanks for that SonnyB. About 1% of the U.S. population has ever serviced in the military.

h20ski · 07-23-2015, 04:19 PM

Thank you for your service SonnyB

J2Jake · 07-23-2015, 04:27 PM

Welcome Home Brother.

JaycoEagle10 · 07-23-2015, 04:45 PM

A lot of people are armchair quarterbacks when it comes to what's involved with being in Service to one's Country.

Proudly served USAF---57th MMS 1973-77.

shiggs68 · 07-23-2015, 05:17 PM

From one Vet to another. Thank You brother!

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loisjop · 07-23-2015, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Thanks for that SonnyB. About 1% of the U.S. population has ever serviced in the military.

Should be 100% IMHO!

DSL417 · 07-23-2015, 05:27 PM

X2...a year or two of mandatory service in some capacity for young people might strengthen appreciation for what our country is and a feeling of ownership. That said, enormous respect for those that served... for those that endured combat, the front lines of a fast moving wild fire, an angry mob with restraint that allowed expression of free speech, that pulled a lonely watch in a hostile area, flew over an area when a rogue missile might come out of nowhere, that patrolled a coast line or a border never knowing when the next person you come upon is drug smuggling murderer, or even pulled consulate duty in a hostile country with terrorists around every corner....and for their families who wondered if their loved one was coming home tonight and prayed for it to be so.

bruceisla · 07-23-2015, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Thanks for that SonnyB. About 1% of the U.S. population has ever serviced in the military.

I don't think that is correct ... hard to say what percentage has ever served (dead or living) but about 7% of all living Americans have served. About .4% of Americans are on active duty.

The VA estimates about 22 million veterans are still living (2014 stat) ... more than half are over 60 years old.

Thanks for your service!

JohnBoyToo · 07-23-2015, 05:54 PM

IMHO, I think a few that didn't serve are able to and CAN understand...
maybe not experience, but via living with, listening to, and having empathy and appreciation !

I still cherish my fathers wings, medals, and stories...
and my father-in-law's MANY medals...among which were some significant ones.

Cat320 · 07-23-2015, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceisla

I don't think that is correct ... hard to say what percentage has ever served (dead or living) but about 7% of all living Americans have served. About .4% of Americans are on active duty.

The VA estimates about 22 million veterans are still living (2014 stat) ... more than half are over 60 years old.

Thanks for your service!

Also, the percentage of veterans that were actually in combat is pretty low. I'm not talking about being in theater or in the combat zone, I'm talking about the actual fighting and actually in harm's way.

R2Home · 07-23-2015, 06:33 PM

Thanks for sharing, and yes it is difficult to talk with people that have not been, engaged in a combat zone. Even with all of the 'side issues' that go with being in a combat zone, I would do it all over again and more! These are small sacrifices to pay to keep the people of our Country free!!!!!

Hit_the_Rhod · 07-23-2015, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat320

Also, the percentage of veterans that were actually in combat is pretty low. I'm not talking about being in theater or in the combat zone, I'm talking about the actual fighting and actually in harm's way.

Cat320, with all due respect, serving in a combat zone, even staying on the right side of the wire most of the time, you can be in combat quicker than you can think. I found out really suddenly why I had a service pistol. Thank god I did, and I was in a "safe" zone. And still here to tell the tale, the bad guys aren't.

U.S. Army retired

two-niner · 07-23-2015, 06:51 PM

Cat 320 was safer while driving his Chinook to and landing at fire support bases (artillery) under fire, than he was in his home base camp. Same place DriVer was located.

Imagine soldiers wanting to be in the bushes and away from large base camps?