Cantousent Posted November 12, 2012 Posted November 12, 2012 Yeah, I know. Another pathetic holiday thread. I just wanted to give a shout out to the veterans of the community here. Let's see... Gfted1, Shady, Fio, Monte, Sarge, GD, and others I'm certain to miss. Notice that I'm including everyone, no matter which country he's served. Of course, I also want to give a shout out to Athos Mazzanti, may he rest in peace. Anyone else who knows a forumite or someone outside our little community who deserves a nod, nod away. 1 Fionavar's Holliday Wishes to all members of our online community: Happy Holidays Join the revelry at the Obsidian Plays channel:Obsidian Plays Remembering tarna, Phosphor, Metadigital, and Visceris. Drink mead heartily in the halls of Valhalla, my friends!
Gfted1 Posted November 12, 2012 Posted November 12, 2012 Thanks, thats real nice of you. I appreciate the thought. "I'm your biggest fan, Ill follow you until you love me, Papa"
BruceVC Posted November 12, 2012 Posted November 12, 2012 Happy Veterans Day I didn't realize you guys were veterans. If you don't mind sharing where did you serve? I think it is very important to recognize the role that people played in our various armed forces. Its something to be remembered and to be proud of in most cases. In South Africa due to the history of Apartheid many people can't or won't talk about there military service in the 1970's, 80's and 90's. Certain white people were conscripted and fought against the spread of Communism in countries like Angola, Mozambique and Namibia. They weren't racist and didn't fight for the system of Apartheid but during the Cold War there were many ideological wars fought in Africa between people that supported Western\Capitalist views and Communist views. So South Africa was a launching pad for many countries into Africa who fought against Communism. The USA and Britain were both involved surreptitiously in various conflicts throughout Africa. But nowadays this isn't spoken about in public but there are loads of books written about this era and many people and forums who do discuss it. "Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss” John Milton "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” - George Bernard Shaw "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead" - Nelson Mandela
Gfted1 Posted November 12, 2012 Posted November 12, 2012 I was an Aviation Electrician in the Navy for 7.5 years. Served as ships company aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). Did my shore duty in a P-3 squadron (VP-30). "I'm your biggest fan, Ill follow you until you love me, Papa"
alanschu Posted November 12, 2012 Posted November 12, 2012 I considered the military at several points of time in my life. Found this video last year and still enjoyed it this year http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMzHlkB-Yg
ShadySands Posted November 12, 2012 Posted November 12, 2012 Happy Veterans Day I didn't realize you guys were veterans. If you don't mind sharing where did you serve? I was a Tactical Data Network Specialist stationed in Camp Lejeune, NC. I was in for 5 years and did 2 1 year tours to Iraq, first in 2005 and again in 2007. My unit was Data Platoon, Communications Company, Headquarters and Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (formerly 2nd Force Service Support Group) Free games updated 3/4/21
obyknven Posted November 12, 2012 Posted November 12, 2012 Happy Veterans Day I didn't realize you guys were veterans. If you don't mind sharing where did you serve? I was a Tactical Data Network Specialist stationed in Camp Lejeune, NC. I was in for 5 years and did 2 1 year tours to Iraq, first in 2005 and again in 2007. My unit was Data Platoon, Communications Company, Headquarters and Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (formerly 2nd Force Service Support Group) Mighty Veteran, how many enemies you kill?
Gorth Posted November 12, 2012 Posted November 12, 2012 You know Oby, you really need to get out more (if you honestly thought that was a valid metric for service to a country) Didn't serve in the armed forces, just did my time in the Civil Defense (the draft, love it hate it, it sometimes makes the decision for you). Did get to kill a few fires 1 “He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would surely suffice.” - Albert Einstein
Cantousent Posted November 13, 2012 Author Posted November 13, 2012 I was a naval intel specialist, which is ancient bureaucrat for 'most boring job ever.' It entailed a lot of soviet ship recognition, reports on merchant shipping, a boatload (haha) of coffee, and a pall of cigarette smoke hanging a foot down from the ceiling. I served at a variety of places. I think I spent about a year in Mississipi between Meridian and Biloxi, I was stationed in South Korea for a year and a half, several months in Dam Neck VA, and twice to Florida. Apart from volunteering to serve your country, the military provides excellent benefits from my nice little life insurance policy for dirt cheap to the GI bill which really helped cushion the cost of college. As for you, Gorth, I think killing a few fires probably counts for quite a bit to someone who didn't have his house burn down. As for heroics, in an area where the enemy targets anyone possible, I think serving in Iraq or Afghanistan qualifies someone as a hero, from logisitics to infantry. Fionavar's Holliday Wishes to all members of our online community: Happy Holidays Join the revelry at the Obsidian Plays channel:Obsidian Plays Remembering tarna, Phosphor, Metadigital, and Visceris. Drink mead heartily in the halls of Valhalla, my friends!
GuybrushWilco Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 Happy belated Veterans day, to everyone who served our country in the armed forces Twitter: @Chrono2012
BruceVC Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 Thanks the information guys, its impressive to see how many people on these forums have served there countries in the military "Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss” John Milton "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” - George Bernard Shaw "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead" - Nelson Mandela
BruceVC Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 (edited) Looks like REMF-day for me. Being in logistics doesn't detract in anyway from the contribution someone made to there country. Besides we both know if someone had said " I was in the 101 Airborne or a Marine Sniper " you would have said something like "baby killer" or "did you enjoy killing innocents in remote villages" So its a lose lose scenario with you. Edited November 13, 2012 by BruceVC "Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss” John Milton "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” - George Bernard Shaw "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead" - Nelson Mandela
Nepenthe Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 (edited) My maternal grandfather was a ww2 veteran, a frontline unit chaplain. My paternal grandfather, also a minister, was too old to participate (born in 1895) and considering the administrative role the church played in the boondocks, was probably more useful there, anyway. I was conscripted into air defence, and served my stint. Came out lance gunner, the only one promoted in my platoon. Interesting experience, but I've never managed to defuse a bar fight abroad with "I was trained to kill by the Finnish Army", unlike a friend of mine. Altius! Edited November 13, 2012 by Nepenthe 1 You're a cheery wee bugger, Nep. Have I ever said that? Reapercussions
BruceVC Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 My maternal grandfather was a ww2 veteran, a frontline unit chaplain. My paternal grandfather, also a minister, was too old to participate (born in 1895) and considering the administrative role the church played in the boondocks, was probably more useful there, anyway. I was conscripted into air defence, and served my stint. Came out lance gunner, the only one promoted in my platoon. Interesting experience, but I've never managed to defuse a bar fight abroad with "I was trained to kill by the Finnish Army", unlike a friend of mine. Altius! Hi Nepenthe, are you Finnish? The reason I ask is that during World War 2 the Finns had a hard time with the Russians and Germans so your grandfather must have had some fascinating stories "Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss” John Milton "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” - George Bernard Shaw "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead" - Nelson Mandela
Nepenthe Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 My maternal grandfather was a ww2 veteran, a frontline unit chaplain. My paternal grandfather, also a minister, was too old to participate (born in 1895) and considering the administrative role the church played in the boondocks, was probably more useful there, anyway. I was conscripted into air defence, and served my stint. Came out lance gunner, the only one promoted in my platoon. Interesting experience, but I've never managed to defuse a bar fight abroad with "I was trained to kill by the Finnish Army", unlike a friend of mine. Altius! Hi Nepenthe, are you Finnish? The reason I ask is that during World War 2 the Finns had a hard time with the Russians and Germans so your grandfather must have had some fascinating stories Yes. And yes - but let's just say that being a frontline unit chaplain involves, to a large degree, the identification, and if possible, evacuation of the fallen (in addition to the morale role). Not the sort of stuff you want to discuss at length with your 5yo grandson... You're a cheery wee bugger, Nep. Have I ever said that? Reapercussions
BruceVC Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 My maternal grandfather was a ww2 veteran, a frontline unit chaplain. My paternal grandfather, also a minister, was too old to participate (born in 1895) and considering the administrative role the church played in the boondocks, was probably more useful there, anyway. I was conscripted into air defence, and served my stint. Came out lance gunner, the only one promoted in my platoon. Interesting experience, but I've never managed to defuse a bar fight abroad with "I was trained to kill by the Finnish Army", unlike a friend of mine. Altius! Hi Nepenthe, are you Finnish? The reason I ask is that during World War 2 the Finns had a hard time with the Russians and Germans so your grandfather must have had some fascinating stories Yes. And yes - but let's just say that being a frontline unit chaplain involves, to a large degree, the identification, and if possible, evacuation of the fallen (in addition to the morale role). Not the sort of stuff you want to discuss at length with your 5yo grandson... Yeah, I can imagine. His experiences were not exactly "Xmas feel good discussion material" "Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss” John Milton "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” - George Bernard Shaw "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead" - Nelson Mandela
alanschu Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 Whenever I hear "are you Finnish?" I am reminded of Once Upon A Crime... http://movieclips.com/D8Eh-once-upon-a-crime-movie-are-you-finnish/
Nepenthe Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 My maternal grandfather was a ww2 veteran, a frontline unit chaplain. My paternal grandfather, also a minister, was too old to participate (born in 1895) and considering the administrative role the church played in the boondocks, was probably more useful there, anyway. I was conscripted into air defence, and served my stint. Came out lance gunner, the only one promoted in my platoon. Interesting experience, but I've never managed to defuse a bar fight abroad with "I was trained to kill by the Finnish Army", unlike a friend of mine. Altius! Hi Nepenthe, are you Finnish? The reason I ask is that during World War 2 the Finns had a hard time with the Russians and Germans so your grandfather must have had some fascinating stories Yes. And yes - but let's just say that being a frontline unit chaplain involves, to a large degree, the identification, and if possible, evacuation of the fallen (in addition to the morale role). Not the sort of stuff you want to discuss at length with your 5yo grandson... Yeah, I can imagine. His experiences were not exactly "Xmas feel good discussion material" Especially as this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tali-Ihantala was one of the skirmishes he participated in. You're a cheery wee bugger, Nep. Have I ever said that? Reapercussions
Malcador Posted November 13, 2012 Posted November 13, 2012 Looks like REMF-day for me. Figured there'd be at least a couple of infantry people here, they can have nerdy interests too, after all. I still laugh at the memory of a Marine in Basra talking to the press and he has 'Shai-hulud' on his helmet. Why has elegance found so little following? Elegance has the disadvantage that hard work is needed to achieve it and a good education to appreciate it. - Edsger Wybe Dijkstra
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