Thank You Vets !

[Republicaninmass]

My Grandfather and current Chief of Physical Fitness in the Coast Guard, former Heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey

[nsaddict]

Great photo Ted. And thank you to all Vets for your service!

[sycks22]

Thanks for your service men and women.

[GasHouseGang]

Thank you and God bless to all our vets, including my family members who served.

[Peter_Spaeth]

My dad, who passed away two years ago, and was of German-Jewish background himself, served in WW II including the Battle of the Bulge. Like many or most I suspect, he didn't talk about it, except on rare occasions you could draw him out a little. It was clear that two things really stood out for him decades later -- the memory of facing live rounds, and the anti-Semitism he witnessed among his fellow soldiers.

It wasn't until the 1970s that he was able to face returning to Germany, which he did as part of a trip to Europe. At the border, of course, he was asked for his passport. He told the official, "I didn't need a passport the last time I crossed this border." It was cathartic for him, I think. He even ended up owning a Mercedes.

Late in life, he began to wear a ball cap that identified him as a veteran. He was truly surprised and touched how many strangers came up to him to talk and to thank him in restaurants, etc.

On a final note, even though it probably was offensive, I found Larry David's riff on thanking veterans for their service (he refuses to thank one at a party, just because he doesn't feel like it) hysterical.

[thetruthisoutthere]

We can never thank all of them enough for the safety they have provided us.

God Bless all of them for eternity.

[Baseballcrazy62]

Lost my Dad on November 13 of last year. He was a proud WWll vet and never took that ball cap that said “WWll Vet” on it. Probably a bit of a homer here but his military funeral was one of the most intense I have ever attended. The flag folding ceremony done by active Navy personnel was something to see. I was privileged to deliver his eulogy. My brother also served in Vietnam as well. Thank you to all the vets for the sacrifices you made for all of us.