A veteran's day homage

[lionking]

In a few hours is veteran's day , the day we take to say thank you and pay homage to those who served.

I hope you don't think it is too personal but I wanted to make my thank you even more personal, to my father who put in 22 years, infantry in Korea and helicopter operations in Cu Chi Vietnam along with other specialties like in arty in Germany for a while. As a little kid I remember Ft Rucker he would show me all the helicopters on the flight line that was his last assignment before retiring.

He was also on the handgun shooting team for the army. Like many vets he didn't talk about "stuff" that happened while in Korea but would talk about the funny times like when they went into a village and was fed by the locals later to find out it was dog. He also said he wouldn't eat rice for years after lol.

Am including some pics of him with one he is laying on a cot in a armory (don't know where) and you can see a rack of Garands and carbines along with some mortars. I lost him Aug 4th 2016, he had a huge impact on me , feel free to add to this thread if you want.

 

[ontarget]

Your fathers service is greatly appreciated. I hope one day my kids remember my service with as much pride as you remember your dads.

 

[Ks5shooter]

John J. Nemchic jr KIA 18 May 1967 my cousin
Donald M. Biddulph Sr Korean veteran USS Antietem my father.
"You are not forgotten"
Thank you to all who have served and are still serving.
Don Biddulph Jr
American Legion Post 194 SAL past Jr vice commander.
If you cant afford money,donate your time at your local Legion post.
"For God and Country"

 

[lionking]

Your fathers service is greatly appreciated. I hope one day my kids remember my service with as much pride as you remember your dads.

I'm sure they will. My father was career army E7, my one uncle career navy E9 another uncle a few years in the marines, and I have a cousin currently active colonel in the army who has been to Afghanistan several times, also a 2nd cousin who is current air force. I personally never served but feel I'm part of the military "family" in a sense because many family have or are.

It is not surprising given my father's influence the first rifle I bought when of age was a Garand and first handgun a 1911 .45.

 

[Sistema1927]

I still have my Dad, he will be 86 this month. US Army 1950-1971. Began his service with the 508th ARCT, retired not long after a tour in Vietnam. It brings a smile to his face when I take him to the range to shoot my Garand and M1 Carbine.

My own service, US Army 1980-1984 and TXARNG 1984-1986, pales in comparison.

 

[bullseye308]

Lost my dad 3 years ago on the 5th. He was a navy medic and was in the thick of it with the marines he was with in Vietnam. Never talked much about it except for the time his marines helped guard a105 that was the only one in country at the time on some hill.

Thank you to all vets, present & past. Your service is not forgotten.

 

[FL-NC]

To those who have gone before us- thank you for your service!

 

[Axis II]

Lost my Dad to agent orange 21yrs ago on Sept 7th. He would have turned 70yo October 29th this year.
U.S. Army 101st Airborne Vietnam, 2 tours, Plt Sgt. I have his flag, bronze star with oak leafs, and several other medals I'm not sure what they are. I always wanted to follow his footsteps but I was forced to go to college first and by that time I found a decent paying job and ran with it.

I want to personally thank all of you who served and your family members. @lionking that is an amazing picture of your father and thanks for sharing! May all these hero's finally rest in peace!!

 

[JONWILL]

 

[rust collector]

Lost my dad on D-day, 2006. We can never know what it was like to board a train for basic training 2 weeks after graduating with a class of 12 in a sleepy hamlet in South Dakota, battle through Belgium, and assist in the liberation of the camp at Bergen-Belsen. He was with the 104 timberwolf division. "Nothing in hell will stop the Timberwolves".

 

[bannockburn]

My father served in the Army during WWII as an armored infantryman in France and Germany. He was wounded (lost his leg), and taken prisoner in January 1945. Extremely fortunate for him (and all of us!), he was taken to a regular German Army hospital were they treated him as though he was one of their own. While he was a Private First Class in an armored division, to the hospital staff he was Unterfeldwebel-Panzer Grenadier!

My Dad was very active in veteran organization, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the local chapter of the Disabled American Veterans. For many years he in charge of the Color Guard at the Legion Post and this is where my brother and I learned all the finer points of the M1898, M1903A3, M1917 Enfield, and the M1 rifle. We use to serve as his "gunbearers" for many a parade and civic function.

His favorite T shirt was one that has a photo of several soldier's helping a wounded comrade with the inscription: "All gave some, some gave all". I still have it.

My father passed some years back but a day doesn't go by when I don't think about him and all that he did as a soldier and veteran, and as the kind, loving, caring husband, father, and grandfather we knew him to be.

Miss you Dad.

 

[ilgac]

My dad was 1st Cavalry Division in Pacific and guard at Tokyo War Crimes Trials. Went to college on GI Bill and spent 24 years in USAF retiring as LTC. Passed away from cancer 2003.
Thanks dad!

 

[cheygriz]

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.
And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?
A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.
It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?
He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.
© 1987 A. Lawrence Vaincourt

 

[P5 Guy]

My Grandfather fought for Black Jack in France with the 28th Div.
I was 4 months old when he passed in 1955 from a heart attack while on guard duty for Philadelphia Transit.
My Dad was in North Africa and Italy until 1946. His Italian Alps vacation he called his last year in Europe. The only enemy troops he ever saw were in the POW pens.
Me, I failed the physical due to a pronounced heart murmur. Repaired in 2003.

 

[herrwalther]

Lost my Dad to agent orange 21yrs ago on Sept 7th. He would have turned 70yo October 29th this year.
U.S. Army 101st Airborne Vietnam, 2 tours, Plt Sgt. I have his flag, bronze star with oak leafs, and several other medals I'm not sure what they are. I always wanted to follow his footsteps but I was forced to go to college first and by that time I found a decent paying job and ran with it.

I want to personally thank all of you who served and your family members. @lionking that is an amazing picture of your father and thanks for sharing! May all these hero's finally rest in peace!!

I was with 3-101 and would be happy to help with the shadow box. Lets see going left to right.

First 2 are Bronze stars. If there is a large "V" on the ribbon part that is called a Valor device. Can't tell from the image very well. Next is Army Good Conduct Medal. Nickname is the "I didn't get caught" award. Awarded for going 3 years without a punishable offense. Vietnam Service Medal. Looks like with 3 stars? The number of stars means how many tours. 101 uniform patch. National Defense medal. On the row of ribbons it looks like he had an Army Commendation medal with a few stars. Vietnam Service ribbon, National Defense Ribbon. Under are qualification badges, the hanging tabs will say what they are for. One on the left is Marksman, Right is Expert. Cannot make out the 2 ribbons on the far right however.

 

[Craig_AR]

My favorite reminder of the importance of Veterans Day (USA) and Remembrance Day (Canada) is
Terry Kelly - A Pittance of Time
I still tear up each time I watch it.

Thanks to all who wore the uniform to serve. A special thanks to those who waked into harm's way in that service.

 

[old lady new shooter]

I just want to say thank you to all who served.

 

[AlexanderA]

As best as I can figure, I was conceived on or about D-Day, 1944. My parents, living in occupied Europe, must have been feeling joyful that their liberation was at hand. So, in a sense, I owe my very existence to the allied veterans of D-Day and the entire war. That was indeed a crusade worth fighting.

 

[Axis II]

I was with 3-101 and would be happy to help with the shadow box. Lets see going left to right.

First 2 are Bronze stars. If there is a large "V" on the ribbon part that is called a Valor device. Can't tell from the image very well. Next is Army Good Conduct Medal. Nickname is the "I didn't get caught" award. Awarded for going 3 years without a punishable offense. Vietnam Service Medal. Looks like with 3 stars? The number of stars means how many tours. 101 uniform patch. National Defense medal. On the row of ribbons it looks like he had an Army Commendation medal with a few stars. Vietnam Service ribbon, National Defense Ribbon. Under are qualification badges, the hanging tabs will say what they are for. One on the left is Marksman, Right is Expert. Cannot make out the 2 ribbons on the far right however.

Oh, wow! Thank you very much!! Mom says some if not all of his medals were stolen when they lost the house and we were forced to move into a duplex. He wrote down what he had before he passed but my dad had probably the worst cursive handwriting id ever seen . When she started the VA claim for the agent orange the VA guy pulled records and had stuff replaced but she says there should be more.

To answer your questions (after I called my mom to confirm) the two on the left are bronze stars and both have oak leafs in the center of the ribbon. Not entirely sure why there are two oak leafs, maybe the VA messed up? I do remember seeing the V so ill look at them again and make sure. Mom's eyesight isn't all that good when it comes to small stuff. The Army Good Conduct Medal has nothing in the center of the ribbon. The Vietnam Service Medal has two gold stars and 1 silver star. The row of ribbons has stars on it also. One of the qualification badges says rifle (marksman). M1 maybe? and the other auto rifle (expert). The two ribbons on the far right has a leaf in the top one and the number 60 in the bottom one. She says they appear to me small pins.

Thank you very much for going over this with me it really does mean a lot! Just sitting here talking with mom and reading these post made someone cut onions!

Happy Veterans day sir and thank you for your service and sacrifices!

 

[Axis II]

To those who have gone before us- thank you for your service!

View attachment 811453

I'm very sorry to highjack this guys and i don't mean too, but i have to ask what's the story behind this picture?

 

[herrwalther]

To answer your questions (after I called my mom to confirm) the two on the left are bronze stars and both have oak leafs in the center of the ribbon. Not entirely sure why there are two oak leafs, maybe the VA messed up? I do remember seeing the V so ill look at them again and make sure. Mom's eyesight isn't all that good when it comes to small stuff. The Army Good Conduct Medal has nothing in the center of the ribbon. The Vietnam Service Medal has two gold stars and 1 silver star. The row of ribbons has stars on it also. One of the qualification badges says rifle (marksman). M1 maybe? and the other auto rifle (expert). The two ribbons on the far right has a leaf in the top one and the number 60 in the bottom one. She says they appear to me small pins.

The oak leafs on the Bronze Stars mean he got the medal more than once. 2 clusters mean he was awarded the Bronze Star 3 times. One of the medals looks tarnished so that is possibly why there are 2 Bronze Stars in the case. Also Bronze Stars with Valor are different than regular Bronze Stars. So the attachments matter as far as paperwork and records go. Service stars on the Vietnam campaign medal only come in bronze and silver. 1 silver service star would mean he did 5 tours of Vietnam. Bronze service stars are worth 1 tour each. Is it possible one of the attachments is an arrowhead instead of a star? Arrowheads are awarded for Airborne or Air Assault combat missions. The 2 ribbons on the far right are likely unit awards. Unit awards are given to a unit as a whole instead of individual soldiers. These are usually citations like the presidential unit citation (purple with a silver metal border).

 

[Axis II]

The oak leafs on the Bronze Stars mean he got the medal more than once. 2 clusters mean he was awarded the Bronze Star 3 times. One of the medals looks tarnished so that is possibly why there are 2 Bronze Stars in the case. Also Bronze Stars with Valor are different than regular Bronze Stars. So the attachments matter as far as paperwork and records go. Service stars on the Vietnam campaign medal only come in bronze and silver. 1 silver service star would mean he did 5 tours of Vietnam. Bronze service stars are worth 1 tour each. Is it possible one of the attachments is an arrowhead instead of a star? Arrowheads are awarded for Airborne or Air Assault combat missions. The 2 ribbons on the far right are likely unit awards. Unit awards are given to a unit as a whole instead of individual soldiers. These are usually citations like the presidential unit citation (purple with a silver metal border).

I will send you a PM so I don't hog this thread up.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I'm very sorry to highjack this guys and i don't mean too, but i have to ask what's the story behind this picture?

Today, Veteran's Day, used to be Armistice Day until it was changed in 1954.(?) It was to celebrate and honor the signing of the armistice that ended World War One.
The gear in the picture depicts an infantryman's kit from World War One.

 

[Sistema1927]

Oh, wow! Thank you very much!! Mom says some if not all of his medals were stolen when they lost the house and we were forced to move into a duplex. He wrote down what he had before he passed but my dad had probably the worst cursive handwriting id ever seen . When she started the VA claim for the agent orange the VA guy pulled records and had stuff replaced but she says there should be more.

To answer your questions (after I called my mom to confirm) the two on the left are bronze stars and both have oak leafs in the center of the ribbon. Not entirely sure why there are two oak leafs, maybe the VA messed up? I do remember seeing the V so ill look at them again and make sure. Mom's eyesight isn't all that good when it comes to small stuff. The Army Good Conduct Medal has nothing in the center of the ribbon. The Vietnam Service Medal has two gold stars and 1 silver star. The row of ribbons has stars on it also. One of the qualification badges says rifle (marksman). M1 maybe? and the other auto rifle (expert). The two ribbons on the far right has a leaf in the top one and the number 60 in the bottom one. She says they appear to me small pins.

Thank you very much for going over this with me it really does mean a lot! Just sitting here talking with mom and reading these post made someone cut onions!

Happy Veterans day sir and thank you for your service and sacrifices!

You might want to see if his awards are listed on his DD214. I did a shadow box for my Dad a few years ago, and had my Mom get me a copy of his discharge papers. It was only then that I learned that he had been awarded the Silver Star in Vietnam.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Much thanks to all that have served.