Veteran's Day

[Oli]

Today marks the ninetieth anniversary of the ending of 'The War to End All Wars'.

We know that other, greater wars have been fought in the intervening time. Young men and women have fought in conflicts great and small around the world, dying alone and far from their loved ones, living with physical and psychological horrors that will never leave them.

Today, the soldiers, sailors and airmen of our country fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. Young people whose lives are in danger, who, whether you agree with the reasons for the conflicts or not, deserve our love, respect and prayers for a safe, speedy return home.

I want to say to Chef, JWBL and all of the other veterans here -Thank You.

Oli
USN
1987-1996

LEST WE FORGET
We Remember

By John McCrae (1915)
The Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

________

'The whistle blew. They jumped for their equipment. The little grey figure of the colonel far ahead waved its stick. Hump your pack and get a move on. The next hour, man, will bring you three miles nearer to your death. Your life and death are nothing to these fields-nothing, no more than it is to the man planning the next attack at G.H.Q. You are not even a pawn. Your death will not prevent future wars, will not make the world safe for your children. Your death means no more than if you had died in your bed, full of years and respectability, having begotten a tribe of young.
Yet by your courage in tribulation, by your cheerfulness before the dirty devices of this world, you have won the love of those who have watched you. All we remember is your living face, and that we loved you for being of our clay and our spirit.'

Guy Chapman, OBE, MC-Royal Fusiliers, 1914-1920

[chefmike]

Thanks, sailor. A big slap on the back and best of luck to all my fellow vets here and everywhere, especially those risking their lives this very day. A solemn thank you to our servicemen and women who gave their lives in service to their country. Let's not forget our allies serving and dying either.

[Solitary Brother]

JWBL a veteran?
I thought they had height requirements?

No.
Just kidding.

[JohnnyWalkerBlackLabel]

Solitary Brother aka the reason for don't ask don't tell.
Friendly fire wasn't friendly at all..........

[runamok]

From a former US Marine to all our Veteran brothers/sister and in-between, Happy Veterans Day.