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When I flew home from Viet Nam after my third tour, it was on a commercial airliner. However, we landed at an Air Force base somewhere in Southern California. Seems "they" didn't want the public to see us. We were even told to get out of uniform ASAP.

Now returning service men and women get standing ovations as they walk through airports on the way home. I am thrilled that they are recognized as having served their country. I only wish that we could have had the same honor - we had to be hidden so the public wouldn't spit on us or, worse yet, throw things at us.

Please continue to show support for those that serve out GREAT country! They deserve it!

Even with all the crap that I saw, and the rude receptions received, I am PROUD to have served my country! "They" can't take that away!

I am proud of those that choose to serve!

Anonymous
Greenfield, WI

My Story

I don't have a dramatic story at all. I'm just a guy that went and did a job 71 to 73 active Air force and 73 to 77 Illinois Air National Guard.
Today I have the amazing blessing and honor to run with The Warriors Watch Riders.
We do welcome homes for returning service men and women. As a Christian man my favorite thing to see is an adult baptism. The next thing that just sets me on fire is to look in the eyes of a young man or young woman in uniform and simply say Thank You and Welcome Home.
The motto on our challenge coin states "Never Again Will An American Warrior Be Scorned Or Ignored."
I am truly blessed beyond belief.

Tim Lorman
West Chicago, IL

The Homeless Veteran

I have a suggestion that just might be of some help in obtaining these homeless veterans a place to sleep besides a street. With fall coming followed by winter this is not good, but look at all the US bases that BRAC has closed, or are in the process of closing. Why not turn those barracks over to the charitable facilities that are in the surrounding communities to use as bedroom for homeless veterans. Local churches, the Salvation Army and such just might be able to help.

This is not a solition, but I didn't know any other way to get this to the Veterans Site.

Paul J. Ayres
A Retired Veteran

Paul J. Ayres
Gaylord, MI

It been too long since he has left

My husband is currently deployed in Afghanistan and has been deployed since December. We have a beautiful family and our youngest is just turned 10 months old. He left when he was alittle over 1 ½ months and won't be back until he is at least 15 months old. The soldiers sacrifice so much and so do the children and they do it proudly. I am proud to be an Army wife and to stand by him. But it is so hard when our youngest son does something new then to tell him and to watch him tear up because it's another thing that he has missed and even though I have the moments recorded and pictures of them he said that he still gets upset because he is not in them and you can't get the first back or rewind time so he can experience them with me and our family and his first year book he only has a few pictures with him and has he has to read it and not record the memories with me. To all of the vets and their families that have done this before me and had to do it with this without the technology that we have now THANK YOU. I truely do appreciate everything that you have done, given and sacraficed for us.

Melanie Johns
Fort Knox, KY

HONOR

I SPENT SEVERAL YEARS AS AN ENGINEMAN IN THE NAVY. I ENDED MY PROMISING CAREER TO PURSUE CUSTODY OF MY CHILDREN DURING A DIVORSE. SINCE THEN I HAVE SPENT MANY DAYS AND NIGHT BEING ASKED TO TELL MY CHILDREN STORIES OF WHEN I WAS IN THE SERVICE. I HAVE BEEN LAID OFF SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO COMPANIES CLOSING AND THE ECONOMIC DOWNFALL. HOWEVER, I WILL NEVER FORGET THE BEST, AND THE WORST, OF THE TIMES I SPENT AT SEA. IN THE MOVIE "MEN OF HONOR", THERE'S A LINE I BELIEVE SUMS UP WHAT EVERY VET FEELS. "I WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY IF NOT FOR OUR GREATEST TRADITION...HONOR, SIR!"

CHRIS
MEMPHIS, TN

hungry vet

I know a vet that fought in the viet nam war, he is 58 years old, has a minimum wage job and barely clears enough money to pay his rent, feed his dog and keep his car running, there are a lot of times that he doesn't eat but his dog does, hope there is some way of reaching him with food, I can give you all the info to contact him if interested

Anonymous
sycamore, PA

Tribute to Veterans

As a veteran, I am proud to have had the opportunity to serve my country. I spent four years active duty in the Navy, as a Hospital Corpsman. I also spent six years in the Marine Reserves. As an American, I bristle everytime I see people at events, parades, or other functions who show disrespect to the U.S. Military personnel. I wrote the following poem to implore everyone to think about the sacrifice our veterans accept by serving to protect our freedom. I hereby give permission for The Veterans Site to use this poem in any way they see fit to bring the message to others.

Tribute to Veterans

Let flags wave in every breeze of thought.
Some gave all that was expected of them.
Many gave all they could.
Others gave everything.

A history of sacrifice whenever they were
needed, wherever called to serve.
Collectively Duty, God, and Country prevailed.
Veterans stand up for freedom and stand down
for peace. Horror of war and strife could not
bend the will of responsibility.

Veterans ask nothing for the chance to serve,
only your remembrance for those who gave the
ultimate sacrifice. Veterans would do it again
without fear or trepidation. Freedom is guaranteed
by our constitution, for everyone we know; and
those we don't. Serving isn't just our duty, but also
an obligation to our children, our family, our future,
and ourselves.

God Bless America
God Bless our Military
God Bless our Memory

So no one is ever forgotten, or without our thanks.

Â© 2011 All Rights Reserved. R. E. Smith

Rick Smith
Redmond, WA

My Nephew's Retirement

I wrote a detailed story about attending our nephew's retirement from the navy on my blog. I included a lot of photos, and a video, which I am unable to include here, so I'm am just posting the link to the story: http://dancingonthejourney.blogspot.com/2011/07/congratulations-capt-eric-watkiss-usn.html

Thank you to everyone who serves, or who has served, our country, from a grateful citizen!

Jamie Wyatt
Fayetteville, GA

Always Remember

Today would have been my husband's 72nd birthday. He served in three branches of the military for 26 years and five months. USAF, Marines & Army. Spent many tours in Southeast Asia and Nam. In USAF in rescue missions and unfortunately suffered from not only diabetes but Parkinson. Ultimately died from those diseases. Unless you are a military family, people don't understand the sacrifices, even day to day that are given without complaint to protect this great country and the freedoms we enjoy. Although our last six years were extremely difficult, I am very proud of his dedication to the military and country. I have his medal case in front of my computer and see it every day. God Bless all who have the calling to serve. You are a special individual. May you be blessed and all who are now serving be safe.

Karen Fox McKernan
new fairfield, CT

MY HUSBAND, MY HERO

My husband died while on Military Active Duty overseas on April 18, 2004. He had been in the Military 39 years. He was the most patriotic man I ever knew. He was in the Military the whole 36 years we were married and three beforehand. The Military let him fly home to be with me for a short while for my second kidney cancer surgery and then he flew back. I was too sick to take him to meet his plane. The last time I ever saw him alive was when I had just gotten home from the hospital. He had to fly back for active duty. A good friend took him to the plane. His plane was delayed. His friend stayed with him until the plane arrived. I have often wondered what he talked about as he sat waiting and wondering if I would be all right, and if he would be all right. He didn't make it back alive. I am proud he is a War Hero, but the thing I regret the most is that I didn't get to be with him at the end and tell him goodbye.

Sherra Claunch
Oxford, AL