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IDF vet

in age of 16 i join military academy study about Israeli tank tech and systems after that i recruit to IDF (Israel defense force) for 3 years and stayed after 3 years due to war that broke up Yom kippur war I sow myself few times in a sure death , i was in Lebanon for few military operations and Lebanon war 2 (2006) stand by , I am still a soldier in heart and soul the training and disciplined we get follows you for the rest of your life , I was near 5 years in IDF service which it stay with me mentally and spiritually , military life and culture is in my blood just like any other IDF soldier in active service or a vet , we commit our self and swear from early age to defend and protect the holy land because we have only one land no other and we must protect it , and that commitment follows us for the rest of our life if it is in the service or out in regular life of uniforms is like a stamp in our heart that never wears out
I support Israel and salute to the brave man and woman in uniform of the IDF and US Troops

sergeant major meir yaron
Brooklyn, NY

FREDTASTIC BACK IN THE USA

My son returning from Bagram, Afghanistan from Serving and Defending our Great Country Courageously against Global World on Terrorism.

My First Text:: May 3, 2013 6:33 a.m. Mom, I'm back in Georgia

No Honor or Achievement Awards Ceremony or a Homecoming Parade.

“ True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” - Arthur Ashe

May the courage of who have served, and the sacrifice of those who have died serving their country never be forgotten

Son of the Late Ernesto D. Rael and Mary Anne Rael Garcia

Mary Anne Garcia
Peralta, NM

9 Brothers from the same family served in the U.S. Army

Mother of 9 veterans shares her experiences

PINE BLUFF, AR -- The mother of seventeen children, Rozena Williams made sure she didn't show favoritism.
"I got some of everything and everybody,"' said Williams.

But nine of her boys are special -- not only to her, but also to our nation. They all served in the military.

"It wasn't any good jobs for them and that's the way they wanted to get out and make themselves. But they got a lot of their education after they got out," said Williams.

They're Bobby, Sammy, R.J., Chancie, Rickey, Teddy, Jimmy, L.C., and Ernest.

They traveled to different countries and fought on battlefields while their biggest supporter stayed behind.

"I don't watch them war pictures at all. I don't even cowboy shows cuz they're shooting," said Williams.

She couldn't keep in contact through Skype or Facebook but letters brought her peace.

"I'd write them letters and I sent one of them a cake and it got crumbled up."

Her sons say Veterans Day is not just about them. You can't leave out the prayers of their mother, which are prayers she said got answered.

"I just thank God we were able to make it through. 9 of us in the military the stress that it put on her knowing her boys were in the war zone," said her son Rickey Williams, retired U.S. Army (Ret.)

Rickey Williams
Jacksonville, AR

A Proud Mom

My youngest son Matt has always wanted to join the Army since he was little. His dream finally came true when he passed MEPS during the Christmas season and he's only 17. I'll never forget the day his recruiters came to my house with paperwork for me to sign him over to them since he wasn't 18 years old yet. It didn't hit me until later the impact of signing those papers had on me. He'll graduate high school in June and then he'll be heading to Ft. Benning for his basic training. He was so excited when he took the oath at MEPS; he has already memorized the Soldier's Creed and has recited it several times. I know when I see him graduate basic I will see a different person and I will most likely cry like a baby because he'll be a man prepared to fight for his country and even die for it so we can all still enjoy our freedom. Do I want him to go? No, but I am proud he has chosen this path and that in his heart this is something he wants to do. I will worry like all mothers do, but I also know that he's in God's hands and I will pray for him every single day he is gone serving his Country.

Cindy Von Flue
Fresno, CA

Please Don't Thank Me For My "Service"

I was in the Army, infantry, Viet Nam, 1970-71. During the Bush years there was a concerted effort to encourage people to thank a veteran for their "service". Today the push is to call veterans "heros".

In January of 2003 I literally woke up to my military experience. I knew little of politics and policy. I consumed vast quantities of information to develop answers to two questions: Why war? Why do we so proudly send our children to kill other children? The answers came slowly - mostly from books. Howard Zinn's "People's History of the United States" was an eye opener. It was closely followed by two time Medal of Honor recipient Marine Major General Smedley Butler's "War is a Racket". Many other books, DVDs, and conversations followed. The bottom line, as I see it, is that war is about money and markets. The cabal that runs this country spends a lot of our tax dollars trying to convince us that war is honorable, heroic, and the "only way" to insure "freedom".

Robert Mcnamera's film "Fog of War" showed me that the Gulf of Tonkin never happened. I met a Navy officer who was on the Maddox. He resigned his commission when he saw the lie. Thus we invaded and destroyed a country, killed four million, "lost" (physically and mentally) hundreds of thousands of our own - because some group wanted war. I also recommend the DVD "Vietnam: An American Holocaust".

Service is what the person does who fixes your car. When the word "service" is applied to the military it helps to justify violence as a method for conflict resolution. Like "defending our freedom" or "bringing democracy" the word "service" is used to lower the barriers of aggression. My motto is: If you have to hurt someone to solve a problem, you are the problem.

The military solution to conflict is death and destruction. That's not service. Call it what it is - the military.

ARNY STIEBER
Chicago, IL

Sibling Surprise

I had not seen my sister in close to two years, she is currently serving in the U.S. Navy as a CTI. My birthday and my only wish was what it had been the past two years, to see my sister again and hang out like we used to do all the time. I live on the east coast and she was stationed out in California so traveling out there wasn't very easy or cheap.
I was unaware at the time that my mother had been planning a surprise for me for my birthday. The day before my birthday I was sitting on the couch in my living room watching TV when i heard the door open and someone walk in. I thought it was maybe just my dad coming home early from work and didnt pay much attention to the fact. I then heard a females voice say "Hey!" I knew that voice but the possibility of it actually being my sister was slim to none. I responded with a quick "Hi Lila" not thinking anything of it, it was automatic, the words just came right out of my mouth. Time then felt like it froze and my mind was racing, "did I just say Lila? that was dumb shes 2000 miles away." Then out loud i asked "wait....Lila??!!" I turned and looked at the door to see my sister standing there laughing. I was overwhelemed, I've never been happier to see someone in my life! It was to date the best gift I have ever recieved and I dont think it can ever be topped.

Leo Rollo
Buffalo, NY

Vietnam Era Military Brat

Watching all the joyous family videos of returning vets brings tears to my eyes. Yes, the emotion of the moment for these families is very heartwarming, but for me they are painful.
My father did 3 tours of Vietnam with the Big Red 1 out of Fort Riley Kansas and came home under cover.
There were no community supported surprises and no welcome home bands. No streets lined with "Welcome Home!" signs and flags waving in their honor. What I remember most was that we attended funerals and wakes weekly.
By the time I was 10 years old, I had attended more funerals and Masses for fallen soldiers that were friends and brothers in arms to my father, and the fathers of my friends than I have attended in the years since. There were no honor guards protecting us from the ridicule and no thank you's at the airports.
The hardest part for me is that those men, who fought and died and those that came home to the ridicule, for the most part had been drafted, and yet they did what their country asked of them with courage, honor and dignity.
The young men and women of today volunteered, they had a choice. That they are honored today goes to show that those that suffered unreasonably in the past and their loved ones remember and refuse to let others suffer in the same way.
For all those Vietnam vets that ride the honor guard and say thank you in the airports with tears in your eyes I REMEMBER! I thank you for your service and hope that one day your heartaches and hurts of the wrongs done to you can heal and you will get the honor and peace you deserve.
My father is at peace now as we lost him in 2012, but I know he is standing first in line to welcome home those that pay the ultimate price at the gates of Heaven as he should have been welcomed home here on earth!

Suzan L. Price-Stroup
Florence, KS

My Hero, My daughter.

My story is not one of an act of heroism but more of pride. My daughter enlisted in the Marines while in her Senior year of high school in Michigan. She was almost destined to be a Marine, for myself, her Dad, step-mom, and step-dad were all Marines. When she became a Marine I was there at the graduation ceremony at Parris Island SC and never felt so proud in my entire life. As her military life went on she was stationed at Quanitico VA. The day after the 911 attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon she and others from the Motor Pool at Quantico delivered several tents, supplies and personal to the Pentagon and saw first hand the devastation caused by the attacks. Our veterans past present and future will always have my sincere thanks and upmost respect, including my daughter, the Marine.

a proud Marine mom
Claremore, OK

Too late

I served three tours in Vietnam...first on a carrier then on river boats..never got a scratch which I am thankful for..Buried my memories of what I did and happened to me over their....but one thing I will never forget of forgive...on one of my r&r's between tours..I was greeted with not spit or even the baby killer deal....people would just move to opposite side of the hallway in the airports like I was a lepper..on one flight a couple would not sit next to me on the plane.....probably my fault for wearing my uniform...but I was and still am proud of it...I am glad they are taking care of the new vets...hope it continues

R.Juren
Des Moines, IA

Lost Friend

1968, Butterworth, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I'm a 10yo army brat (RAF) watching army trucks drive by from the front lawn. Everyone else is outside watching too. The tucks contained bodies of fallen soldiers. I did not think much about this then. My best friend was Daniel Dyer, son of Bri. Gen. Dyer. I didn't think much about this then. Life went on. Leaving home at 16, and the military was th farthest thought from my mind. 1990 I had an inclination to join and for many reasons but, it was too late. I continue today as a professional in Law/Security and found studying Military History to be very rewarding. Sometimes regreting not joining. My other best friend joined the USMC and I miss him so. I always wonder how Daniel is and hope to find him one day. What saddens me the most now is remembering all the trucks that drove by. All the loss of lives, the suffering and today, the disrespect of the people towards the military. Lest they forget why they live in Freedom. I salute and support the fallen, the enlisted, to all forces.

David JSL
Toronto, Canada