If you see a veteran today, thank him or her for their service. Also, check out Dr. Steve Thode's tribute to WWII vet Vinnie Vicari, who stood at Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe's side when he issued the now famous "Nuts" in response to German demands that he surrender Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.
It was in that same battle that my father and another "intelligence" scout named Kurt Vonnegut surrendered when Germans surrounded their foxhole. They didn't say "Nuts." They said "Neine Scheiss," which they thought was "Don't shoot." Germans started laughing instead because they had just been told, "Don't shit."
Bernie thank you for your service in the army, you probably made a lot of men happy in the barracks during your stay.
ReplyDeleteThere isn't a day goes by that I don't thank a Veteran for his or her service. Today my two brothers and I (Marines, Army, and Navy Veterans) will get together for lunch with numerous other vets in celebration of the sacrifices these individuals made for our Country. I thank God I was in the Service and never had to see the horrors of a major war. I served in the military at the beginning of the Vietnam War but wasn't in Vietnam. I lost two of my childhood friends to that war. I pray for the safe return of all our soldiers to their loving and caring families. Thanks Bernie for recognizing the many sacrifices of those who served. Your father and many like him only wish they could have done more.
ReplyDeleteI won't sign my name. Unfortunately there are too many trolls who read your column and would only use this issue to take cheap shots. I hope you delete any such comments.
Like the 5:48 asshole
ReplyDelete455 W Hamilton is the blog mentor. Looks like its time for you to call his employer again. I'm sure they'd love to know one of their employees was throwing homophobic abuse at a veteran on Veteran's Day.
ReplyDeleteWhether they signed up willingly, or were made to wear the uniform, I appreciate veterans' sacrifices and thank them for their service. My dad said his four years in WWII were the worst in his life. He was given leave once to bury his pilot brother. He came home for two nights, one of which he stood watch over the casket in his parents' Allentown living room. He loved to joke about the oxymoron, "military intelligence." He was a religious guy who said he'd never hang around most of the guys he was forced to live with and fight beside for four years. But he was proud to have served and always grateful for others who did as well. He's gone now. It wasn't until the end of his life that he related stories of his service, including a harrowing trip through the Straight of Gibraltar, as German planes swarmed and sank several nearby vessels. He said the thought of the nearby dying haunted him every day for the rest of his life. But he would have loved the "don't shit" story (despite the salty language, as he never swore). Most war stories aren't glorious. They're terrifying and tragic and sad. That's all the more reason we should be eternally grateful to those who wore and wear the uniform of this country. Thank you all for your service.
ReplyDeleteAnon 6'08 Your post was wonderful .I wish I had been with your group. Politicians are on the band wagon about attention to us vet , then after the election we historically hear .....Good for your family to do these things . With a tear in my eye .,. I wish you all well.
ReplyDeleteAnon 3;50 I have been though the Straight of Gibraltar during my Marine Corps service a couple of times -it is tight for aircraft even before somebody shooting at you. During WW11 Italy was never liberated from the Germans -by the the US. forces deployed there.Dangerous territory.
ReplyDeleteI want to thank all the true combat veterans of this country. God Bless you.
ReplyDelete"Don't shit" in later years became the colloquial "no shit". Just like "luck out" meant you were out of luck a couple generations back, but is a small windfall to our contemporaries.
ReplyDeleteCombat veterans deserve the best.
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