Veterans’ Day

[T-Square]

100 years ago on the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month the Great War ended.

Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is an official United States public holiday, observed annually on November 11, that honors military veterans; that is, persons who served in the United States Armed Forces. It coincides with other holidays, including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I; major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. At the urging of major veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

Thank a vet you know and remember all those veterans in your family.

 

[Bobalooski]

Thanks to all who served or are serving now and to their families for their support and sacrifice. And Happy Birthday (yesterday) and Semper Fi to my Marine Corps brothers and sisters.

 

[Doug Briggs]

My Dad and me at Loveland following an end of season race with a Tropical theme after party.


Mum and Dad in Frasier at the Visitor's Center.


Dad and me at a Mother's Day event.

My dad was a 2nd Lt. in the Army during the Korean conflict and stationed in Germany. He drove and commanded in tanks and was involved with the rifle range as an instructor. He has a hearing loss a result of that. One time he got his group of tanks lost in Germany so he was assigned to teach a map reading course. All of his photos from when he was in the service are on slides. He was an avid photographer. One time one of his enlisted men won an 1954 MG TF in a card game, but not being an officer, he couldn't keep it. Dad bought it from him, toured Europe in it and brought it home. He did a stint on the top of Mt. Washington in the '50s when the Air Force was doing static jet engine testing. He was part of the team that managed the equipment and test. Probably another thing that destroyed his hearing.

Dad, thank you for your service and for teaching me to ski and supporting my racing. You always said 'Don't work too hard.' I don't. And, yes, I still love to ski.

On a ski day with my family at Wildcat, NH: Me, Steven, Mum and Dad.

 

[scott43]

After my dad passed away we found a treasure trove of my grandfathers photos, whom I've never met. One of them he was standing beside a German U-boat in Halifax harbour after they had surrendered in May 1945. He was 4 years in the Navy..tough for my dad..he was a toddler. War has consequences even at home.

 

[pchewn]

Thanks to all veterans today. Especially my father, Mike Chewning. He started in the Marines right near the end of WWII, and then went to college after the war. He joined the Navy because they had airplanes to fly. He was Commander of VA-55 flying A-4's (single seat carrier-based jet ground-attack aircraft). Unfortunately, his career ended on 3 June 1966.

My dad is now in Florida, playing tennis 3 days a week at age 93.

"3 June 1966: The squadron’s commanding officer, Commander M. J. Chewning, while on a mission over North Vietnam, lost the use of his left arm due to a shrapnel hit. He continued his mission, striking a road target, and then returned to the carrier, making a one-handed carrier landing. For his exploits he was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart" (Actually it was his right arm injured, which made the carrier landing that much more impressive).

http://valor.militarytimes.com/reci...Kc6vE-iMVYNFZW2ZbaGfCtmVveOE3fl0jkmf0gCfpeFoM

Here is the insignia for VA-55 Squadron.

Here's my dad at 90, with my daughter in his flight suit. On the wall is an A-4 tailhook and a plaque for numerous hours in the A-4

Here he is with his Marine sword. My mom tells me that my brothers and I thought that he was going off to fight using this sword when we were little..

Here is what he actually used to fight the enemy: A-4 Skyhawk

He's now 93, was skiing until 90. He lives in Florida and plays tennis 4 days a week.

 

[T-Square]

My Dad, Norton Terry, was a Lieutenant in the Navy and served as an engineering officer on LSTs. He landed on the first day at D-Day Normandy and also the first day of the invasion of Southern France. This is a picture of him reading his 100th birthday card from the president. (I did some finagling to get that for him.). He’s an amazing man. Still lives on his own.

 

[Bad Bob]

Dad was 26 years Air Force (far right of this photo at a very great friend's retirement) Bombardier in WWII, fighter jock in Korea and Vietnam era. He did some things that never happened, many of his friends never came home. Taught me to ski, work with wood, live in the woods. He is my hero and always will be.
Ironically Mom's birthday, not in this picture was 11/11/18. Happy Birthday Mom, I know where you are.

 

[Talisman]

My Dad in the very center of this air crew 1945 at Clark airfield the day Manila was retaken.