A day of remembrance and gratitude!

C-Hawk · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 1:07 pm Post subject:

DaveS-
Thanks for your service as a firefighter. I tried to join the MountLake Terrace Fire Dept but, being blind in one eye, I was medically disqualified. Same as with the Armed Forces- I was listed as 1H for the draft.
"All gave some" - I tried to sign up with the Air Force then the Army- couldn't even talk the Coast Guard into taking me.

Da Nag · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 3:06 pm Post subject:

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 3:41 pm Post subject:

I only put 32 years in the USN, didn't want to make a career of it. Called again a year or so ago to volunteer to go back on active duty and was told I would be classified "4-E" Question

. I looked for that classification and couldn't find it so I called and asked.

I was told that when the enemy gets to 4th and E Street in Washington DC, they'd give me a call. Phone

Oh, well...

Charlie

Anita Marie · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:45 pm Post subject:

Rodger, I also am blind in one eye (20-400 non correctable) and when I went to get my draft physical they classified me 1A. I guess it depended on what selective service board you were in. I joined the Navy for 6 years. I can't say it was the best time of my life but I am glad I did it. I think I am a better person for doing it.

C-Hawk · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 12:01 am Post subject:

Fred-
I was hit in the eye with an arrow (damn indians) when I was 6 years old, had a cataract removed when I was 9 years old. I was classified as 1H and they said I could not be drafted unless our borders were being attacked. A friend wanted to join up with the Army and I talked him into signing up with the Air Force with me on the buddy system-- they took him but would not take me, because I did not have a lense in my left eye. I later tried to sign up with the Army- they pulled me out of the testing and told me not to come back. I talked with the Coast Guard- no deal.
In 1997 I had surgery to straighten the eye (it had turned in after not using it for 35 years) and in 2000 I had a lense implant- I can read size 14 font with it now- without glasses!

Anita Marie · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 12:31 am Post subject:

Rodger that is great news. It must have seemed very strange to have gotten that much sight back after all those years. I love to hear those kind of stories. I'm glad you can C your C-Dory better.

C-Hawk · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:20 am Post subject:

It was very strange. I'm still getting used to seeing things on my left without turning my head.
Laughing

I almost nailed a waitress once years ago-- I was sitting with my left to the aisle and next thing I knew she was reaching around pouring coffee. Startled me, scared her- she thought I was going to hit her. I told her that it wasn't her fault and from then on I always sat with my right to the aisle. Wink

Butch · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 5:58 pm Post subject: Decaration Day

Hi all, as most of you know I grew up in the hills of WV and to this day the older folks over there call this day Decaration Day. One of my Grandfathers was in WW I and when he was alive he'd trek to the local cemetary to "decorate" the graves of those that did not make it with a flower or small flag if he had them. He personally saw the horror back then in the trenches Europe and did not talk much about it, but I could tell even at my young age his experience left much more than an impression on him.
He told me then, which was over 50 years ago for me, it was a time to make sure someone did not forget those that as some say "gave it all" and for those that did make to remember and reflect why they did it with out hesitation. He decorated graves as a personal gesture of his love and admiration for those that served around him in that war and others, because he used to say in his own way, war was war and it really did not matter what name you hung on it.

So that is what the Day in question means to me. I would like to pose one suggestion to the group, and that is; what can we do to ensure our childern and grandchildren do not look upon Memorial and Veterans Days as nothing more than an official "holiday" from work.... .

For my little part to ensure the true meaning of what I think this day means, I spend time with my grandkids watching the film footage of D-Day and the documentaries that explain the war's background. I want my young grandsons to understand those men were plenty scared about what laid ahead as they rode in the Higgins Boats, but in the same breath, I want them to know it was pure raw courage that held them together and they as a unit went forward hoping for the best. Butch

DaveS · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 8:57 pm Post subject:

Butch,
Your grandfather was correct in referring to Memorial Day as Decoration Day, because that is what it was called before the name was changed.
Your reference to the "holiday atmosphere" of Memorial Day is a real concern to many.....so much so that on January 19, 1999 Senator Inouye introduced Senate Bill 189 which proposes the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day back to May 30th instead of the "last Monday in May". To date there has been no further developments on the bill.
As far as "what individuals can do to ensure our children and grandchildren do not look upon Memorial Day and Veterans Day as nothing more than an official holiday from work"....I, like you set those days aside for the appropriate activities. We have always, since daughter Jessica was a baby, attended the Veteran's Day parade in town and the Memorial Day services that are perfomed in our little town. On those particular days that I do have to work, my wife Carol has taken Jessica there without me. Even at the age of 14, Jessica still seems to look forward to these observances and she understands the importance of these days. Obviously, it is what we condition our children and grandchildren to.

It would be hypocritical of me, not to mention that I certainly would take my C-Dory out on those days, but not without participating in some type of appropriate observance.

DaveS · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2004 9:13 pm Post subject:

I would go on to say that on one occasion since the 9/11 attack, our Fire Department was included in an activity on Veteran's Day, that made the appearance that "we" were amongst those being honored. Since, I was off work that day (as co-incidentally I usually take Veteran's Day as a day off), I didn't know about it until I returned to work a couple of days later. At that time I became quite vocal about what I felt to be the inappropriateness of it. It was good to know that others in our ranks felt the same way and likewise became vocal. (We must have been heard because since then we've not been placed in that position).

MIKE MANNELL · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2004 1:58 pm Post subject:

Mr. Fisherman,

I always judge a man based on his intentions. Looks to me like your intentions regarding your post were indeed heart felt and good.
I'm a former Marine Infantryman/Squad Leader and an RVN Vet and was not in anyway offended by your remarks...Infact, I thought your remarks were very thoughtful...who cares what day it is.

Semper Fi

Mike Mannell
(Fromer Corporal of Marines)

Sawdust · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2004 3:37 pm Post subject:

Mr. Fisherman,

You were spot on. My days get screwed up a bit too - as the only survivor of my first WWII torpedo bomber squadron my memorial days approach 365.
When I go, as a DAV, to the VA hospital for treatment I always visit my Nam buddies, the ones I first knew as 19 and 20 year old kids back when they were whole. As I make my way through the wards, cluttered with artificial limbs and aids like toys strewn around a daycare center, and shake hands with those who still have them -- my Veteran's Day gets refreshed, and refreshed.

My silver star, purple heart, and other undeserved fruit salad are molding away in an old shoe box in the basement waiting for some garage sale, and I often wish for some way to cut each into little pieces - giving a piece to each of those who really earned them and are no longer here. Ray, your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

I fully understand our C-Brat home isn't the proper forum for this sort of thing, and as soon as you acknowledge reading this I'll delete.

Sorry, DaNag Bill, old friend.

Dusty

Captains Cat · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2004 3:47 pm Post subject:

Dusty, couldn't have said it better. Mike/Bill, I think it's time to give this whole thread a sounding of taps Note

and put it 6 feet under until next year at least. After Dusty's note gets absorbed by all that is.

Charlie

Mr. Fisherman · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2004 4:15 pm Post subject:

I agree.... Take it down. I nearly deleted it several times.

Thanks for the support.
I never intended to offend anyone.

Most of this was not the reaction I have come to expect from this group.

I'll keep it to myself from now on.

Thanks,

Ray

C-Hawk · Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2004 5:00 pm Post subject:

No No, Ray-- Don't keep it to yourself!!!