We ask your indulgence for a moment please as we celebrate Veterans Day today. This is something PackerChatters.com does each year. It’s a very small thing but it’s a way to say thanks and we do remember.

More....

Most of you already know that I was basicly raised by my grandparents. My late Grandfather, Joe Arrigo, was in the Navy and a WWII and Korea vet. He was a machinist on a mine sweeper as well as the driver of the boats that dropped off Marines when they were going onto beaches. He was in two of the most brutal battles in the Pacific, Tarawa and Peleliu. He almost lost his life at each of those battles.

He passed a little over a year ago (November 4th, 2008). Veterans Day, the 4th of July and Memorial Day were all special to him, and in turn special to us.

I was lucky enough to work in 29 Palms California for the past 5 years. 29 Palms has one of the largest Marine bases in the USA. I entertained them with my radio show and the station I built. I felt honored to do so because they defend and protect our country.

Also, I have had a few friends and family memebers join the service and have been lucky to have them return alive and healthy.

Today, and the the other Hollidays that honor our our service men and women are very special days for very special people.

Thank you to those that served and are currently serving. Thank you for your sacrifices to make sure our country and all the people in our country is safe. You are true hero’s that should never go or feel unappreciated.

My Grandfather told many stories about the different battles and expeirences in the Navy. I know them all front, back, side to side. I miss hearing the way he told them and with the passion he would discribe what happened. If you can, at some point, ask a Vet to tell a story. I guarantee it will make their day, and be a story you will never forget.

VeteransDay, Memorial Day, Fourth of July are always special to me . They always bring out a appriciation to all service personnel across this great land. I always get choked up thinking of the sacrafice our men and women have done in the 200+ years of this great country.

Something I always try to do when I see a soldier in uniform. I say thank you. Sometimes they look at me like what, other times you can tell they are greatly touched by the gesture.

The American Flag flying on the front of my house comes down tonight. I fly it from every year from Mermorial Day till Veterans Day.

Thanks to all the Veterans out there.

I just got back from seeing my Dad. He passed Dec 1, 2004. I always remember thanking him on Veterans Day and he was always very nonchalant about it. He said he did his job and he hoped he had a made a difference. He was a man of deep faith and little words but always had a commanding presence.

Thanks Dad.

T/Sgt John Foley
274th AFAB
US Army
WWII


http://www.longneckonline.com/main.php

Larry,

Very nice. Thanks for thinking of us. I’m proud to have served and just as proud to be a part of this website.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

I sleep a little better at night knowing America's Heroes are protecting me and Our Nation.
Every time I thank a Veteran for his or her service, their response is always thank-you for your support!
I have been to Walter Reed Army Medical Center six times these are amazing individuals a true National Treasure are our Veterans



In front of my house every National Holiday
In Memory of My Father
Robert W. Wolf
8th Army AirCorp
100th Bomb Group Heavy
351st Bomber Squadron
SSGT AM 4 OLC
32 Bombing Combat Missions WWII

Two memories that I think will be with me forever. The first, I was a young soldier in Germany in the early 80's. Some friends and I stopped at a little neighborhood pub on our way downtown to hit the disko's. I bellied up to order a bier, and the elderly German gentleman sitting next to me insisted on paying. He spoke a little english, and told me his daughter was married to an American and lived in St Paul. He kept buying drinks and telling me over and over, "thank you, you boys are my freedom". I don't remember what else we talked about, and I don't think I made it downtown that night. But those words have stayed with me. My dad was just a baby during WWII, but that man let it be known, that to him, I was just as important as the men who liberated Europe.

The second, was a couple of years ago. I was on my way to Reserve drill, and stopped for gas. I was wearing my uniform. I noticed this guy driving past the pump in his truck, he was looking at me. He stopped, backed up, rolled down his window and simply said, "Thank you". I was kind of stunned, I didn't know how to respond, so I just said you're welcome. We just nodded at each other and he rolled up his window and drove off.

Three soldiers from my former unit were murdered at Ft Hood last week.I only recognized SPC Der Xiong from drill. I really didn't know SGT Amy Koehler, but she was a soldier from go, and she was always smiling when I did see her. CPT Russell Seager, I am proud to have considered a friend. He was brand new to the military when I came home and started drilling with the unit. It was funny to see someone his age and rank so "green" and unfamiliar with the military machine. He was a very smart man. He was teaching in an RN program when I first met him, and sometime in the past couple of years he was appointed to head up a new mental health clinic related to the Milwaukee VA. He was very passionate about helping soldiers, even though he had never been "militarized" the way we enlisted know Army life. A couple of years ago when we went to Ft Gordon for AT, he fell out from dehydration or heat exhaustion while we were setting up the hospital, and myself and another guy just kind of commented to each other that he might not be cut out for the life. Then at JRTC (an intense combined forces pre-deployment training excercise) at Ft Polk last year, he was attached to train with the grunts out in the field while we were "comfortable" back at the field hospital. I hadn't seen him for the whole excercise and didn't know where he was until he came back to the rear wearing about 10 days of dirt and sweat and a big smile. He had a fire in his eyes and he was really excited to have had the chance to do some honest to God Army training. He told me, that's where he wanted to be. Out in the field with the grunts. I was really proud of him. He was a soldier.

I just wanted to share what I could of these fine people.

Thanks to people like them and you, it's a job worth doing.

Are you still in the Reserves sled?

No. I was medically released last spring.

Thank you to all Veterans out there!!

Do you mind if I PM you with some questions?