Bob McConnell wrote:

> On Mon, 31 May 2004 13:23:56 -0600, "K. Reece" > wrote:
>
>
>>"frohe" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>>Most of us will be havin folks over tomorrow for eats. Was wonderin
>>>what everone else is havin?
>>>And, before I forget - Thanks Vets!!!!!
>>>--
>>>-frohe
>>>Life is too short to be in a hurry
>>
>><sigh> I'm going to someone else's house today. They'll cook hamburgers
>>and hot dogs. I am bringing the baked beans and potato salad. Mostly out
>>of self defense. The last time we had a cook out at their house they had
>>baked beans straight out of a can and potatoes and eggs flavored with
>>mustard and mayo. At least the company is good. They have little kids so
>>it's a lot easier for us to go over there.
>>
>>Thanks to all the veterans, past and present!!
>>
>>Kathy
>>
>
>
> On behalf of my fellow veterans, I want to thank each of you for your
> kind words. But, please keep in mind that Memorial Day is a time to
> remember those that died, either as a result of combat or after
> serving. Veteran's Day on November 11 is for those of us that still
> survive.

You are correct. But honoring the living veterans is a way of honoring
those that have passed.

My grandfather was a Canadian Veteran of WW1. He was an illiterate,
itinerant woodsman who was called to serve and did so with honor. An
uncle I never met was a Korean War hero. He stifled a hand grenade to
protect his comrades just before I was born. I was given his Christian
name as my middle name.

I have to go now. I can't stop the tears.

Matthew

--
If the war in Iraq was over oil, we lost.

On Mon, 31 May 2004 22:49:15 GMT, "Matthew L. Martin"
> wrote:

>Bob McConnell wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 31 May 2004 13:23:56 -0600, "K. Reece" > wrote:
>>
>>
>>>"frohe" > wrote in message
...
>>>
>>>>Most of us will be havin folks over tomorrow for eats. Was wonderin
>>>>what everone else is havin?
>>>>And, before I forget - Thanks Vets!!!!!
>>>>--
>>>>-frohe
>>>>Life is too short to be in a hurry
>>>
>>><sigh> I'm going to someone else's house today. They'll cook hamburgers
>>>and hot dogs. I am bringing the baked beans and potato salad. Mostly out
>>>of self defense. The last time we had a cook out at their house they had
>>>baked beans straight out of a can and potatoes and eggs flavored with
>>>mustard and mayo. At least the company is good. They have little kids so
>>>it's a lot easier for us to go over there.
>>>
>>>Thanks to all the veterans, past and present!!
>>>
>>>Kathy
>>>
>>
>>
>> On behalf of my fellow veterans, I want to thank each of you for your
>> kind words. But, please keep in mind that Memorial Day is a time to
>> remember those that died, either as a result of combat or after
>> serving. Veteran's Day on November 11 is for those of us that still
>> survive.
>
>You are correct. But honoring the living veterans is a way of honoring
>those that have passed.
>
>My grandfather was a Canadian Veteran of WW1. He was an illiterate,
>itinerant woodsman who was called to serve and did so with honor. An
>uncle I never met was a Korean War hero. He stifled a hand grenade to
>protect his comrades just before I was born. I was given his Christian
>name as my middle name.
>
>I have to go now. I can't stop the tears.
>
>Matthew

The tears are painful, but they honor the memory of those who have
sacrificed some or all. Unfortunately, too few of our countrymen
understand the cost paid to gain and preserve our freedoms.

I don't know if my father's father served. Mom's father suffered from
polio, so I know he didn't. But none of my family ever talked much
about it. I have learned that my dad fought in the Phillipines in WWII
and his younger brother was in Korea. Both of mom's brothers were in
the US Army in Europe for WWII. My father in law came back from that
in a wheel chair. I met my wife between Vietnam tours, while we were
both in the Navy, stationed in Hawaii. Two of my cousins also served
in Vietnam. One of them still has shrapnel embedded so deep in his
spine that it can not be removed. My youngest brother spent several
years in the Army, mostly servicing tactical nukes in Germany. He was
suddenly discharged after they discovered he had a thyroid problem,
and died a couple of years ago. We suspect it was from radiation
poisoning. One of my sons is currently at Ft. Bragg, trying to earn a
green beret, so I guess it kinda runs in the family.

My eyes are leaking too,

Bob McConnell
N2SPP

Please remember that if you enjoy any freedom, it is because people
just like you were willing to fight and die to earn that freedom.

Bob McConnell > wrote:
> [ . . . ]
> Bob McConnell
> N2SPP
>
> Please remember that if you enjoy any freedom, it is because people
> just like you were willing to fight and die to earn that freedom.

Interesting that they rarely talk about it. After knowing him for 35 years,
my former co-worker and still golf buddy, Hugo DiLonardo, opened up to me
about his brother Anthony, USMC, who died in the first wave to hit Iwo
Jima. He has still never discussed his activities from North Africa up
through Europe. I don't care, I love him.

--
Intuitive insights from Nick, Retired in the San Fernando Valley

http://operationiraqichildren.org/

In article >,
says...
> Bob McConnell > wrote:
> > [ . . . ]
> > Bob McConnell
> > N2SPP
> >
> > Please remember that if you enjoy any freedom, it is because people
> > just like you were willing to fight and die to earn that freedom.
>
> Interesting that they rarely talk about it. After knowing him for 35 years,
> my former co-worker and still golf buddy, Hugo DiLonardo, opened up to me
> about his brother Anthony, USMC, who died in the first wave to hit Iwo
> Jima. He has still never discussed his activities from North Africa up
> through Europe. I don't care, I love him.
>
>

A now deceased friend of mine < cancer induced by Agent Orange
exposure > served 2 tours in Vietnam. When asked about what he did over
there all he'd ever say was "I walked around in the jungle a lot."

Bill

Bill > wrote:
> In article >,
> says...
> > Bob McConnell > wrote:
> > > [ . . . ]
> > > Bob McConnell
> > > N2SPP
> > >
> > > Please remember that if you enjoy any freedom, it is because people
> > > just like you were willing to fight and die to earn that freedom.
> >
> > Interesting that they rarely talk about it. After knowing him for 35
> > years, my former co-worker and still golf buddy, Hugo DiLonardo, opened
> > up to me about his brother Anthony, USMC, who died in the first wave to
> > hit Iwo Jima. He has still never discussed his activities from North
> > Africa up through Europe. I don't care, I love him.
> >
> >
>
> A now deceased friend of mine < cancer induced by Agent Orange
> exposure > served 2 tours in Vietnam. When asked about what he did over
> there all he'd ever say was "I walked around in the jungle a lot."
>
My buddy, the late Don Nance, also a Life Member of the Agent Orange Health
Club, was the same. He'd say, "I was a tour guide in Cambodia and Laos."

--
Intuitive insights from Nick, Retired in the San Fernando Valley

http://operationiraqichildren.org/

On 03 Jun 2004 06:52:52 GMT, wrote:

>Bill > wrote:
>> In article >,
>> says...
>> > Bob McConnell > wrote:
>> > > [ . . . ]
>> > > Bob McConnell
>> > > N2SPP
>> > >
>> > > Please remember that if you enjoy any freedom, it is because people
>> > > just like you were willing to fight and die to earn that freedom.
>> >
>> > Interesting that they rarely talk about it. After knowing him for 35
>> > years, my former co-worker and still golf buddy, Hugo DiLonardo, opened
>> > up to me about his brother Anthony, USMC, who died in the first wave to
>> > hit Iwo Jima. He has still never discussed his activities from North
>> > Africa up through Europe. I don't care, I love him.
>> >
>> >
>>
>> A now deceased friend of mine < cancer induced by Agent Orange
>> exposure > served 2 tours in Vietnam. When asked about what he did over
>> there all he'd ever say was "I walked around in the jungle a lot."
>>
>My buddy, the late Don Nance, also a Life Member of the Agent Orange Health
>Club, was the same. He'd say, "I was a tour guide in Cambodia and Laos."

Everyone I have ever met that had been in combat would not talk about
it. Even after years of therapy, I have trouble discussing my
experiences, even with my wife. But it is not just the pain and tears.
This came up in a group discussion once, and the consensus was that
the majority of people who have never seen combat do not have even a
basic understanding of what we went through. So we would end up
spending more time explaining what it was like and filling in the
background details they don't know about than describing the actual
events. It's easier when talking to someone with a full understanding
of that background.

As for my father and uncles, they never had an opportunity to deal
with the PTSD, since it wasn't correctly identified until after
Vietnam. I believe that the constant effort needed just to deal with
their own memories and emotions didn't leave them either energy or
reason to discuss the events which were the root of that problem.

The men and women coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan all have the
same issues. But it may be a while before they recognize it and become
willing to accept help.

Bob McConnell
N2SPP

Bob McConnell > wrote:
> [ . . . ]
> The men and women coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan all have the
> same issues. But it may be a while before they recognize it and become
> willing to accept help.
>
My SIL, Cpl, USMC, returned from Iraq several months ago. Recently he's
opened up to me some. I let him pick the pace. Actually, I'd hafta say that
he's OK with it. He just applied for Jump School. My daughter backs him
unequivocally in whatever he wants to do, as do I.

This is my last post in this thread. I accept e-mail.

--
Intuitive insights from Nick, Retired in the San Fernando Valley

http://operationiraqichildren.org/