Double-barreled military recognition

[Grandpa]

November 10. Happy birthday, Marines!

270 years ago today, at Tun Tavern (what would be a more appropriate place to begin the Marine Corps than a bar?), Philadelphia, the first Marine recruitment began.

The first guy walks in, signs up, walks out.

The very next guy, walks in, signs up, walks out. He sees the first guy. "Well, this is something isn't it?" the second guy says.

"Nah," says the first guy. "You shoulda seen the old Corps!"

(This is probably funnier if you've been in the Marines.)

Happy birthday, Marines!

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November 11, 1918.

Following the abdication of the Kaiser, the Germans looked to an end to the conflict. An armistice was signed at 6:00 a.m. on that day, dictating that the cease-fire would take place at 11:00 a.m.

Many Allied commanders, either not hearing the news, or not believing it would occur, or trying to gain whatever battle leverage was left, nevertheless sent their troops "over the top" that morning. Nothing was gained, but over 10,000 Americans fell to German gunfire in a useless effort that would be farcical if not so tragic.

Before the final hour, gunfire subsided in some quarters but increased in many others. Nevertheless, at 11:00 a.m., (almost all) the guns, which had been roaring continuously to that time, fell silent. In some places, troops that were former enemies crossed no-man's land to shake hands of the troops they'd been shooting at for the last four years.

Following an unprecedented cost in lives, the Great War was finally over. The relief swept the world. It became known in many countries as Armistice Day, and the term "in the 11th hour" took hold as the ultimate deadline - the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month when the war machine finally quieted.

Ultimately, the great powers would go through it all again, but worse next time with uncomprehensible death, destruction, and evil wrought upon humanity.

Armistice Day faded in the U.S., and a new name of Veterans Day emerged, as a time to honor all those who put their lives at risk for service to their country.

Happy Veterans Day to those who undertake such an honor; and may we stop having to endure the madness of this violence among ourselves in the not too distant future.

 

[Dana Jean]

Thank you veterans and their families for the sacrifices you make and all you do for me and my family.

Father -- Navy
Brother in law -- Air Force
Uncle -- Army
Uncle -- Marines
Nephew in Law -- Marine

 

[Sigmund]

 

[staropeace]

I salute you all.

 

[DiO'Bolic]

 

[Sigmund]

and their families for the sacrifices you make and all you do for me and my family.

Yes, Dana Jean. The families who also sacrificed as their loved one served.

Thank you.

Peace.

 

[staropeace]

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day in Canada...but all soldiers are remembered. We wear a poppy for all of them who stepped up and gave their lives.

 

[Grandpa]

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day in Canada...but all soldiers are remembered. We wear a poppy for all of them who stepped up and gave their lives.

On November 11, I usually post "In Flanders Fields," but I believe that's already been done in this forum this year. It's a wonderful poem.

Trivia: Lt. Col. McCrea of the Canadian effort in WWI, like any good author, had the first submission of his poem rejected. Lt. Col. McCrea, a surgeon, later succumbed to pneumonia in his service in the field hospital and never made it out of his own Flanders Fields.

 

[Spideyman]

 

[Sigmund]

On November 11, I usually post "In Flanders Fields," but I believe that's already been done in this forum this year. It's a wonderful poem.

Trivia: Lt. Col. McCrea of the Canadian effort in WWI, like any good author, had the first submission of his poem rejected. Lt. Col. McCrea, a surgeon, later succumbed to pneumonia in his service in the field hospital and never made it out of his own Flanders Fields.

Peace.

 

[Sigmund]

May I?

To Raul. My brothers best friend. He was 17 years old when this little 4 year old girl wanted to tag along with the boys and he let me. Told me the song "Pretty Woman" playing on the little transistor radio was about me.

He served three tours in Viet Nam. On his way home...he was killed by a drunk driver. I never got to tell him how very sweet he was.

Peace.

 

[staropeace]

On November 11, I usually post "In Flanders Fields," but I believe that's already been done in this forum this year. It's a wonderful poem.

Trivia: Lt. Col. McCrea of the Canadian effort in WWI, like any good author, had the first submission of his poem rejected. Lt. Col. McCrea, a surgeon, later succumbed to pneumonia in his service in the field hospital and never made it out of his own Flanders Fields.

As a child, I knew the poem In Flanders Fields by heart. It moved me like no other. I had folks in the military. My dad was in the American Armed Forces. My adopted relatives are in the Canadian Army. I can appreciate all of them. THE GOOD GUYS

 

[GNTLGNT]

...to all Veterans, here and in Valhalla-I respect you with all my heart and thank you from the bottom of same...and to my son Seth, you have made me prouder than you'll ever know...

 

[Grandpa]

Was that from GoDaddy? The founder was in the Marines, and every year for the Marine Corps birthday, he'd charter a big splash to play on the site. I forgot to check for it this year.

The Marines in green at about the :56 mark. They're at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. I recognize the parade deck, having spent about 500 years there (in boot camp time). Happily enough, that's the picture on Graduation Day. That's when the PFCs in the platoon finally got to wear their insignia. Up until then, you see, you weren't real Marines and didn't deserve to wear it.

The poster at about 2:47. We had a lot of signs like that going around. Things like, "When I want your opinion, I'll beat it out of you." And the ever-memorable: "Join the Marines. Travel to distant lands. Meet interesting people. And kill them." The core mission gives you a little dark humor.

 

[Van Blaricum]

 

[DiO'Bolic]

Was that from GoDaddy? The founder was in the Marines, and every year for the Marine Corps birthday, he'd charter a big splash to play on the site. I forgot to check for it this year.

The Marines in green at about the :56 mark. They're at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. I recognize the parade deck, having spent about 500 years there (in boot camp time). Happily enough, that's the picture on Graduation Day. That's when the PFCs in the platoon finally got to wear their insignia. Up until then, you see, you weren't real Marines and didn't deserve to wear it.

The poster at about 2:47. We had a lot of signs like that going around. Things like, "When I want your opinion, I'll beat it out of you." And the ever-memorable: "Join the Marines. Travel to distant lands. Meet interesting people. And kill them." The core mission gives you a little dark humor.

Don't know. I found the U.S. Marines hymn clip on Youtube and enjoyed it.

I didn’t serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. I was rejected by the Navy due to a spine injury suffered as a kid, and they told me no branch of service would take me, so I didn't bother even trying others. My father was first generation US citizen and served in the Navy in WWII. I remember seeing a letter my grandfather received and signed by Adolf Hitler stating he needed to come back to Europe in order to utilize the skills learned in America, as the country he came from was now part of the Fatherland - where Hitler stated his loyalty should lie. The letter was dated early 1941 as I recall, before the US joined the War. My grandfather responded to good old Alolf by sending his only son, my father, over to fight him on D-Day. My uncle also served in the US Army during WWII but was involved mostly in publicity and recruiting stateside for the Army as he was a Major League Baseball star at the time. Another uncle served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War as a show of respect for the country that had recently made him a citizen.

I found this quite good: U.S. Armed Forces Songs

Thank you to all veterans, past and present, for your service.

 

[cat in a bag]

Thank you to all who selflessly serve and the families who selflessly give of their loved ones, to protect all of us.

 

[ghost19]

"LAND OF THE FREE, HOME OF THE BRAVE" OOOOORAH!!!, To everyone standing post in the desert, humping a mountain for the third time today, or pushing paper for the Captain, you remembered and you ARE appreciated. Get home safe, watch your six. I wish you a safe and uneventful Veteran's Day.

 

[Grandpa]

I didn’t serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. I was rejected by the Navy due to a spine injury suffered as a kid, and they told me no branch of service would take me, so I didn't bother even trying others. My father was first generation US citizen and served in the Navy in WWII. I remember seeing a letter my grandfather received and signed by Adolf Hitler stating he needed to come back to Europe in order to utilize the skills learned in America, as the country he came from was now part of the Fatherland - where Hitler stated his loyalty should lie. The letter was dated early 1941 as I recall, before the US joined the War. My grandfather responded to good old Alolf by sending his only son, my father, over to fight him on D-Day. My uncle also served in the US Army during WWII but was involved mostly in publicity and recruiting stateside for the Army as he was a Major League Baseball star at the time. Another uncle served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War as a show of respect for the country that had recently made him a citizen.

The letter from Hitler is a fascinating piece of historical trivia that I wasn't aware of, although it's not surprising. Thanks for sharing that.

Knowing you, even as little as I do, I can sense the disappointment you feel for having tried and been turned down. Back in my platoon, we had a guy who was just practically a poster Marine in the making. Very smart, very fit, very good-looking, great team attitude. It turned out that in his youth, he'd had a skin graft on his lower leg, and by the time he made it to third phase of boot camp, the graft was getting irritated and skin sloughing off and getting infected from rubbing on the boot. Everyone liked him, and the powers that be did their best to find a way to keep him in. But you can't be a Marine and not be able to suit up for combat. He was let go from the Marines, with just two-plus months of hell (boot camp) to show for it, not even having been in long enough to get any kind of benefits or qualify for a medical/honorable discharge. Just so disappointing.

I have no doubt but that with your sense of loyalty and commitment, you would've made a fine comrade in arms. Thank you very much, DiO, for having your heart in the right place and giving it your best shot, and continuing to honor those who did go through service. I'm sorry that you went through that piece of life's frustration.

 

[Riot87]

We have alot of friends who are in the military

Marines and Army rangers mostly

My husband and i have unlimited respect for anyone in it.