Veterans Day

Applebee's in Plainwell, MI, did not ask for ID. They took our word for it. Nobody was in uniform, but many had their military unit on their caps. Most of the vets seemed to be from the Viet Nam era. The place was crowded at 3:30 p.m. Later, there was a line outdoors. The food was excellent. The staff and management were courteous and efficient. All in all, it was a good experience. Some of the vets probably knew each other from the VFW or American Legion. It was also a time for families to remember their relative who got the free meal while they had to pay.

 

my son has served 3 tours in iraq is now stationed at fort irwin national training center in ca has a wife and two kids and has never questioned his duty we his family are so proud of him his name is staff seargent kennith sutton he is 24 yrs old

 

I went to the Applebee's in Hixson, TN. They didn't ask for ID either. I took my sister with me who also is a vet. She was Airborne and a drill sergeant for 12 years. The place was packed. We had to wait for 4 parties ahead of us. The food and service was great. I kept thinking how this Veterans Day seemed more special for some reason. Probably because all the posts in here and I got dinner for free I left a nice tip in lieu of the dinners. I hope all vets had a great day like I did!

 

I know Veterans Day is over and I've truely enjoyed reading all the other post, but I feel I have to share this story. Veterans Day each year my grandson's beautiful rural school has a really nice Veterans program and I've always been proud to attend and you should see the way an eight year olds eyes light up when they call his papaws name, a truely great experiance. Last night we decided to go out for supper and I wore my Vietnam Veterans cap which I have always been proud to display to the public and also my brethern will know I am one of them. We decided to eat at another resturant since Applebees seemed to be pretty crowded. We were sitting eating and enjoying being with our loved ones when a little guy who looked like he could have been a grunt stopped at my chair and asked were you there? I quickly answered yes and he told me he was too but didn't wear a cap or anything because people ask to many questions, as he talked his voice cracked and his eyes watered. He said "we seen things boys shouldn't have to see", and yes most of us were just boys although we thought we were older, but photos tell the story. I could tell by the way he spoke and almost shook in a nervous type of way that I was talking to one of the thousand unsung heros, I could tell he was somewhat unbalanced as he went on to tell me of the nightmares and waking his wife with the screams, he said I've been going to the VA (presume for psychological reasons) but it doesn't seem to help. He patted me on the back and went over to his table, my wife asked me what was wrong, I told her that man has been through hell, I don't even feel fit to wear this cap, she asked "you did your part didn't you"? I said I did what I was told, and she repeated what I've always said about it being a team effort with all troops from each branch doing what they could, but occasionally you meet someone like this and realize that some deserve our thanks, support, and prayers because for them the war will never be over. I lost friends in that war but they're at peace now and this soldier and many more like him I fear will never know that peace. God bless all that served or supported us, THANKS

 

Thank you for sharing.....

IMHO....The reason for these men and women not getting the "Peace they deserve" was as you, I, and everyone else who were cognitive of the '60-'70's, witnessed the anger and then denial towards those who served in 'Nam.....

It still carried over to the early 80's.....
I remember when I served as well as my brother and my cousin...People were taken aback and mystified as to why we served during peace time.......

Some people are so blinded by their political beliefs..they'll never understand...even to this day there are those who can't understand why men and women of their own freewill...will choose to serve their country and their fellow Americans over the concern of their own needs....


Lastly I would like to add....
We have one day to honor our Vets....And one to honor those who died....

Why not honor both by thanking those who are still alive...Daily.....And those who died by being the best American you can be.....They fought for you...They died for you...

Honor them....It's the least we can do....

 

MY brother a MSGT in the USAF Yesterday of all days was when he entered his Terminal leave. He was in for 23+ years and his Base was involved in Panama Desert Shield/Storm Bosnia Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan. He told me Yesterday when I called him that he is ready to leave the service however he still will miss it.

 

Something different..............instead of a free meal.

Visited an old civil war cemetary yesterday !!

Hey, paying respects, is paying respects.

Nobody says you have to only thank the current veterans.....

However, it was kinda weird.............the markers carried no information on them. Times were tough back then.

I often wonder what it would of been like,

if the South had won !!!!

church was built in 1852

 

I wish that they could have see the trash cans in the restrooms at Travis AFB CA. Then maybe they might have gotten an idea.