Will all Veterans please arise.

Thank you Craig. I served in the USAF from 1979 to 2003 and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant (E-9). My career field was Logistics and Supply. I served two combat tours in Operation Desert Storm and Afghanistan. Happy Veteran's Day to my brothers and sisters who have served and thank you America for supporting us. Steve
 
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I would like to share on behalf of my Dad ...

My Dad served as an officer in the United State Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1945. He was first assigned the Destroyer USS Barker (DD213) and then transferred to the newly built Destroyer Escort USS Cecil J. Doyle (DE368) in charge of Supply. The Barker spent time in the North Atlantic hunting submarines and providing escort for merchant ships and picking up survivors. The bulk of his service was on the USS Cecil J. Doyle in the Pacific, where his ship, DE 368 hopped scotched form California to Pearl Harbor to all the hot spots on the way to Japan hunting Submarines, picket duty as the outer line of defense for the carriers and battle groups, participated in shore bombardments and rescued survivors including those of the USS Indianapolis. Also rescued POWs from Okinawa and downed pilots along the way. He finished his service as part of the early occupation force in Japan and was at the signing of the surrender in Tokyo Bay from afar. During battle he volunteered to a twin 40mm pom pom gun crew because of his tall stature and stamina - even though as an officer he was not required to do so. His battle station was just under a 5" gun emplacement - in one particular battle he raced to the guns in just his pants and shirt with no protective outer wear - the concussions from the big gun blew his shirt off. He had a very philosophical attitude about the dangers - he was only 22 and a bit of immortality played into his calmness about dying. He was the only man on the ship that volunteered to bunk in the bow section because he valued the solitude - everyone else stayed out for fear of mines blowing the bow off. The only time he experienced true fear was walking the streets of Tokyo just days after surrender alone with only his 45 - fearing he would be killed by snipers.After the war he re-joined civilian life and never talked about it again.... until I drilled him about it in the winter of his life. It was then that he gave me a treasure trove of pictures and mementoes form his three years at sea,
 

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Unfortunately, I did not serve. I would like to acknowledge my late grandfather who served in the Army in WW1, a Silver Star and Purple Heart Recipient and my late Father who served in the Navy, 1944 and 1945 in the Pacific.

Thanks to all of the veterans.
 
US Army 1960-63 Fort Bragg Engineers. Enlisted when I was 17. Best thing I ever did, missed Viet Nam. Brother lost his life there in 1969, 25th Div. 12th Inf. Three Bronze Stars. Miss him every day. Was 20 yrs. old. Stan.
 
MM2(SS) USN , 1965-1970. served on the diesel submarine U.S.S.Corporal SS346 and the nuclear Polaris ballistic missile submarine U.S.S.John Marshall SSBN 611.
 
USAF 3 Jan 61 thur 2 Jan 65 Lackland AFB Texas, Lowry AFB Denver, Griffiss AFB Rome NY, Worked on Airborn Radar on F101 Voodoo interceptors 49th FIS

Ray B
 
USAF ...1962/1966 Reciprocating Engine Mechanic ....North Africa/South Carolina....My Thanks to all Vets......Especially the Disabled......
 
US Army, 1957-1959
Basic training at Fort Carson CO, then to the downtown Chicago 5th Army MRU (machine records unit) next to the stock yards and finally to Pirmasens, Germany for the last 18 months. I was 23 years old when I got drafted and feel lucky that there was no war going on at the time and that I had an office job (IBM punch card machine operator).
 
S/Sgt. US Army. Military Police. May 53-April 55. Stationed at Ft. Clayton, Canal Zone. In charge of Motorcycle Squad. Escorted Queen Elizabeth through the Zone when she made her world tour in 53 or 54 shortly after her Coronation.
 
USAF, MSGT, Retired - 1967 - 1989 - Vietnam 69 - 70 FAC (Observer), Aircraft Maint A-26, C123, C47, T-37, O-1, O-2, OV-10, T-29, C-131, C117 B-5252, C135, C141 - Disaster Preparedness Tech (Think emergency manager) - Chemical defense equipment research and development liaison
 
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