Kind of a bitter sweet day – given the current state of our government who seems inclined to politicize the way to oblivion.
No sane country would or should tolerate the lies and actions of a politician who seeks “leverage” over it’s citizens by withholding political process.
It steps on the graves of those who sacrificed everything in the service of their country and cheapens any patriotic act designed to protect, uplift, and per perpetuate community, God, and country.
It allows those who are enemies of this country to walk the streets with impunity and even seek office to destroy our very fabric of democracy through chants of diversity and inclusion.
We are on the road to obsolescence and each veteran this day needs not to revel in the past but rather call out to today in warning – the very oaths we took are in peril from both foreign and domestic sources. Arise Veterans and scream the warnings!
You’re welcome. Air Force, hon. disch. E-5 1977-81.
Ditto Uncle AL.
12
U.S. Navy, E-5, 1972-1978
10
U.S. Marines, Sgt E-5, 1978-1982
Air National Guard, MSgt E-7, 1983-2004
10
US Navy PO1 (E6) 1976-1981 USS Kitty Hawk, VS-41
8
I am a proud US Navy veteran 1972-75 assigned to the VF-114 Aardvarks at NAS Miramar, California, I made 2 Westpac cruises aboard the USS Kitty Hawk CV 63, 1973-74 and again in 1975. I became a Plane Captain on F-4 Phantoms when I was 21 in 1974 and worked up on the flight deck of the Kitty Hawk, one of the most dangerous as well as exciting and adventurous jobs in the Navy. May God bless all the living US veterans from the older remaining World War 2 veterans who are now in their late 90’s and older and who will all soon be gone, the Korean war vets, Vietnam vets and all those who served and came after Vietnam, the first Gulf war in Iraq and Kuwait, the war on terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. God bless us all for answering the call to serve in whatever conflict or war that we were all involved in and may God continue to bless America and all of its veterans. We are a special breed to serve when we were needed to protect freedom for all Americans.
11
^^^ Ardvark
I too worked the Roof of good old CV63. 1977-78 WestPac.
7
Radioman 2 USN 1966-1970 Never got on a ship – Naval Air Station North Island and NAS Agana Guam. Used to joke that any wartime injuries were paper cuts. Then last year received notice from the VA that on Guam they used Agent Orange to keep the runway clear at the Naval Air Station. Now waiting to hear from VA if my long time neurological conditions qualify as service related disabilities.
10
Regular and Reserve Air Force TAC and MAC, Tech Sergeant E6, 1977 – 1986
Grateful to have had such a country and a people to serve.
Thank you.
12
usa remf 1968-1970. gun-control ******* can honor me & stay alive by keeping your dindu-ass far away.
5
Army 1990:1996
9
Gary Joseph Gilin – Specialist Four
(TDY 125TH SIG BN), A CO, 4TH BN, 9TH INFANTRY, 25TH INF DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Detroit, Michigan
January 19, 1947 to May 13, 1968
GARY J GILIN is on the Wall at Panel 59E, Line 22
10
Air Force Security Police March AFB, CA ’75-’79
6
Joined the Navy so I wouldn’t get drafted and sent to Vietnam…at least that’s what my Marines used to tease me with especially while we were busting our asses out beating the bush! Would do it again in a heartbeat!
SEMPER FI My Brothers, DOC
7
Jeff, I’m sure that I’m not the only one who ever served on the Kitty Hawk who wishes that the Navy would not have scrapped the Kitty Hawk. They could have turned it into a floating museum, scuttled it like the Oriskany and turned it into an underwater breakwater for marine life. Or better yet kept it in fleet reserve just in case the navy needed an extra emergency aircraft carrier in a future war. I would’ve ponied up a $1000 dollars or more to have saved it and I’m sure others who served on board the Hawk would’ve as well.
3
I also noticed that you were in an anti-submarine aircraft squadron VS-41. I wanted to be an AW (anti-submarine warfare operator on P-3 Orion’s) but my math wasn’t good enough. However, my best friend who wanted to be a Corpsman became an AW and served 30 years in the Navy and retired as an E-8 CPO and loved every minute of it.
3
And as usual, the school kids, banks, and govt workers get the day off while veterans go to work.
(USAF 1975-1979)
10
Except for WWII African-American soldiers. Put the monument back now.
1
I’ll be celebrating veterans day by watching FTA with Jane Fonda.
It wasn’t fun, but it was real. Was in Germany when the wall came down, a wonderful day. Went to Desert Storm. Got back, and in December the USSR went Tango Uniform. The Bosnian War kicked off, and I went there too. Finally got too decrepit to do much in a combat zone, so I got assigned to DC. Should have gone to a combat zone. And I was across the river at Bolling AFB when the Pentagon got hit on 9/11. Sigh…I just thank goodness I was able to retire with a pension before Oblamer came into office.
For all of those who served in any branch, you have my admiration and respect.
Each veteran is a walking fragment of history. The old man with the weathered ball cap at the diner once jumped from a burning bomber over Europe. The quiet nurse in the VA line once fought a different war— against infection, exhaustion, and fear. The young amputee who learned to walk again carries not only his own scars but the unseen weight of comrades who didn’t return, who sacrificed their last full measure of devotion to the nation that had birthed them.
Veterans Day matters because it reminds us that citizenship is not a spectator sport. It’s a covenant, a sacred promise— one guaranteed by those willing to risk everything for people they’ve never met. In honoring them, the nation measures itself: not by its wealth or its politics, but by its gratitude.
Thank you, veterans!
7
Ardvark
I dealt with Tacko and Senso operators on a limited basis. I was an AE and mainly communicated with pilots and or the Maintenance Boss for pilot reported problems with aircraft avionics systems that didn’t include ANTI SUB WARFARE systems.Fire Contol techs dealt with that. Those afore mentioned operators were in their seats when I boarded the aircraft on the flight line for launch problems. 3 years at NAS North Island. Good times, but then my back to Sea rotation was coming up. So was my original commitment. Good BYE USN. I get to sit on a deer stand like I’m doing now.
1
Marine Corps 1969-1972
Sgt. Sub Unit One, 1st ANGLICO, RVN 1970-72,
Served in 3 and 4 Corps, !99th LIB, 1st Air Cav, Special Forces, Australian Army & ARVN
Have the Greatest respect for the US Navy, US Army, Australian Army and Australian Navy
2
Thank You To every Veteran.
2
USN BM3 1979-1982 Honorable Discharge
Thank You
2
USN BM3 1979-1982
Honorable Discharge
Thank You
1
US Army Infantry 3rd Division Aco 3-15, E-4 2011-2015 – OEF veteran. Joined when I was 38 years young.
1
Army National Guard, E-5, Sergeant 1981-1991. got out 3 days after Dessert Storm started. loved every minute of it. Wish I stayed in. My unit was disbanded and many shipped to Kuwait.
The best and bravest!
Kind of a bitter sweet day – given the current state of our government who seems inclined to politicize the way to oblivion.
No sane country would or should tolerate the lies and actions of a politician who seeks “leverage” over it’s citizens by withholding political process.
It steps on the graves of those who sacrificed everything in the service of their country and cheapens any patriotic act designed to protect, uplift, and per perpetuate community, God, and country.
It allows those who are enemies of this country to walk the streets with impunity and even seek office to destroy our very fabric of democracy through chants of diversity and inclusion.
We are on the road to obsolescence and each veteran this day needs not to revel in the past but rather call out to today in warning – the very oaths we took are in peril from both foreign and domestic sources. Arise Veterans and scream the warnings!
You’re welcome. Regular Army, hon. disch. E-5, 1969-1971
Now, don’t mention it again until next year!
You’re welcome. Air Force, hon. disch. E-5 1977-81.
Ditto Uncle AL.
U.S. Navy, E-5, 1972-1978
U.S. Marines, Sgt E-5, 1978-1982
Air National Guard, MSgt E-7, 1983-2004
US Navy PO1 (E6) 1976-1981 USS Kitty Hawk, VS-41
I am a proud US Navy veteran 1972-75 assigned to the VF-114 Aardvarks at NAS Miramar, California, I made 2 Westpac cruises aboard the USS Kitty Hawk CV 63, 1973-74 and again in 1975. I became a Plane Captain on F-4 Phantoms when I was 21 in 1974 and worked up on the flight deck of the Kitty Hawk, one of the most dangerous as well as exciting and adventurous jobs in the Navy. May God bless all the living US veterans from the older remaining World War 2 veterans who are now in their late 90’s and older and who will all soon be gone, the Korean war vets, Vietnam vets and all those who served and came after Vietnam, the first Gulf war in Iraq and Kuwait, the war on terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. God bless us all for answering the call to serve in whatever conflict or war that we were all involved in and may God continue to bless America and all of its veterans. We are a special breed to serve when we were needed to protect freedom for all Americans.
^^^ Ardvark
I too worked the Roof of good old CV63. 1977-78 WestPac.
Radioman 2 USN 1966-1970 Never got on a ship – Naval Air Station North Island and NAS Agana Guam. Used to joke that any wartime injuries were paper cuts. Then last year received notice from the VA that on Guam they used Agent Orange to keep the runway clear at the Naval Air Station. Now waiting to hear from VA if my long time neurological conditions qualify as service related disabilities.
Regular and Reserve Air Force TAC and MAC, Tech Sergeant E6, 1977 – 1986
Grateful to have had such a country and a people to serve.
Thank you.
usa remf 1968-1970. gun-control ******* can honor me & stay alive by keeping your dindu-ass far away.
Army 1990:1996
Gary Joseph Gilin – Specialist Four
(TDY 125TH SIG BN), A CO, 4TH BN, 9TH INFANTRY, 25TH INF DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Detroit, Michigan
January 19, 1947 to May 13, 1968
GARY J GILIN is on the Wall at Panel 59E, Line 22
Air Force Security Police March AFB, CA ’75-’79
Joined the Navy so I wouldn’t get drafted and sent to Vietnam…at least that’s what my Marines used to tease me with especially while we were busting our asses out beating the bush! Would do it again in a heartbeat!
SEMPER FI My Brothers, DOC
Jeff, I’m sure that I’m not the only one who ever served on the Kitty Hawk who wishes that the Navy would not have scrapped the Kitty Hawk. They could have turned it into a floating museum, scuttled it like the Oriskany and turned it into an underwater breakwater for marine life. Or better yet kept it in fleet reserve just in case the navy needed an extra emergency aircraft carrier in a future war. I would’ve ponied up a $1000 dollars or more to have saved it and I’m sure others who served on board the Hawk would’ve as well.
I also noticed that you were in an anti-submarine aircraft squadron VS-41. I wanted to be an AW (anti-submarine warfare operator on P-3 Orion’s) but my math wasn’t good enough. However, my best friend who wanted to be a Corpsman became an AW and served 30 years in the Navy and retired as an E-8 CPO and loved every minute of it.
And as usual, the school kids, banks, and govt workers get the day off while veterans go to work.
(USAF 1975-1979)
Except for WWII African-American soldiers. Put the monument back now.
I’ll be celebrating veterans day by watching FTA with Jane Fonda.
It wasn’t fun, but it was real. Was in Germany when the wall came down, a wonderful day. Went to Desert Storm. Got back, and in December the USSR went Tango Uniform. The Bosnian War kicked off, and I went there too. Finally got too decrepit to do much in a combat zone, so I got assigned to DC. Should have gone to a combat zone. And I was across the river at Bolling AFB when the Pentagon got hit on 9/11. Sigh…I just thank goodness I was able to retire with a pension before Oblamer came into office.
For all of those who served in any branch, you have my admiration and respect.
Lest WE Forget…
https://www.smugmug.com/app/organize/Rememberances/All-Gave-Some-Some-Gave-All
https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/following-science-tuesday-november?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=463409&post_id=178607249&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=5nw643&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Each veteran is a walking fragment of history. The old man with the weathered ball cap at the diner once jumped from a burning bomber over Europe. The quiet nurse in the VA line once fought a different war— against infection, exhaustion, and fear. The young amputee who learned to walk again carries not only his own scars but the unseen weight of comrades who didn’t return, who sacrificed their last full measure of devotion to the nation that had birthed them.
Veterans Day matters because it reminds us that citizenship is not a spectator sport. It’s a covenant, a sacred promise— one guaranteed by those willing to risk everything for people they’ve never met. In honoring them, the nation measures itself: not by its wealth or its politics, but by its gratitude.
Thank you, veterans!
Ardvark
I dealt with Tacko and Senso operators on a limited basis. I was an AE and mainly communicated with pilots and or the Maintenance Boss for pilot reported problems with aircraft avionics systems that didn’t include ANTI SUB WARFARE systems.Fire Contol techs dealt with that. Those afore mentioned operators were in their seats when I boarded the aircraft on the flight line for launch problems. 3 years at NAS North Island. Good times, but then my back to Sea rotation was coming up. So was my original commitment. Good BYE USN. I get to sit on a deer stand like I’m doing now.
Marine Corps 1969-1972
Sgt. Sub Unit One, 1st ANGLICO, RVN 1970-72,
Served in 3 and 4 Corps, !99th LIB, 1st Air Cav, Special Forces, Australian Army & ARVN
Have the Greatest respect for the US Navy, US Army, Australian Army and Australian Navy
Thank You To every Veteran.
USN BM3 1979-1982 Honorable Discharge
Thank You
USN BM3 1979-1982
Honorable Discharge
Thank You
US Army Infantry 3rd Division Aco 3-15, E-4 2011-2015 – OEF veteran. Joined when I was 38 years young.
Army National Guard, E-5, Sergeant 1981-1991. got out 3 days after Dessert Storm started. loved every minute of it. Wish I stayed in. My unit was disbanded and many shipped to Kuwait.
^^ ended, not started.