Happy Veterans and Remembrance Day! | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Happy Veterans and Remembrance Day!

The lady who worked the details for my retirement after 26 years in the Air Force contacted the Dolphins....and they sent me a used practice Jeresey and some other stuff, along with a great letter congratulating me on my retirement. I am also a Cowboys fan, and Chad Hennings signed an A-10 bullet and a pic of him at the AF academy and sent it to me. Just thought I would share!

To all my fellow Vets, thank you! Also to my Marine brothers and sisters, Happy belated Birthday to the USMC (yesterday).
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Happy Veterans Day to my fellow vets, but I would also like to wish the spouses of our vets a Happy Veterans Day, too!

I was a military brat and witnessed firsthand the challenges my Mom had to face as my Dad climbed the ranks as an officer in the Navy. Many times, my Dad would walk in the door and say, I got orders to such and such, and I have to be there in two weeks. Guess who did the packing for the move? Who took care of withdrawing the kids from school, registering them for their new school, etc? Well, it wasn't my Dad. My Mom did all of that and much, much more. I am not sure if some of you can relate, but let me say as the middle child of seven brothers and sisters it wasn't all peaches and cream for her. He got the credit, and I would say it was much deserved, but she did all the hard work at home (managing the bills, taking care of the kids, etc).

Don't get me wrong, no doubt those serving can have it tough. Especially those involved in combat or a conflict. I was lucky, and although it wasn't always easy for me being away I was on an aircraft carrier during peacetime (except when we splashed a couple of Kadafi's Mig-21s, but that might have well been). I can't imagine what it was like for those in combat losing a friend or squadmate to enemy fire. Thank you again for your service and sacrifice! I salute you!

All gave some, Some gave all.
 
Beach Bum said:
Happy Veterans Day to my fellow vets, but I would also like to wish the spouses of our vets a Happy Veterans Day, too!

I was a military brat and witnessed firsthand the challenges my Mom had to face as my Dad climbed the ranks as an officer in the Navy. Many times, my Dad would walk in the door and say, I got orders to such and such, and I have to be there in two weeks. Guess who did the packing for the move? Who took care of withdrawing the kids from school, registering them for their new school, etc? Well, it wasn't my Dad. My Mom did all of that and much, much more. I am not sure if some of you can relate, but let me say as the middle child of seven brothers and sisters it wasn't all peaches and cream for her. He got the credit, and I would say it was much deserved, but she did all the hard work at home (managing the bills, taking care of the kids, etc).

Don't get me wrong, no doubt those serving can have it tough. Especially those involved in combat or a conflict. I was lucky, and although it wasn't always easy for me being away I was on an aircraft carrier during peacetime (except when we splashed a couple of Kadafi's Mig-21s, but that might have well been). I can't imagine what it was like for those in combat losing a friend or squadmate to enemy fire. Thank you again for your service and sacrifice! I salute you!

All gave some, Some gave all.
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Splashing MiGs you say!? Fellow Nimitz crewmember, I'd wager ;)

Little story relating to military life.. while I was waiting for my colonoscopy today (I'm sure my wife thought it funny to schedule me for a BOHICA one more time for Veterans Day), we were talking about our 38th anniversary coming up this Sunday and how it all came to be.

Life was tough in those early days - no money for anything. We got married by a JotP and I went out to sea the next day for workups down around the islands and a port call to Ft. Liquordale, which she and some other wives were able to come visit for.

Cut forward a couple months and we have a baby on the way. Had to buy her a car ($162.15/month, wasn't sure we could swing it) as I was now going on a Med cruise. Was able to fly back to see my boy be born and left less than 2 weeks later. Next time I saw him, he was 5 months old. Our first year of marriage, I was gone a total of 9 months and that certainly helped cement my decision to not stay in. No way to raise a family.

My Pops was in 27+ years (you can imagine how many times we moved) and my boy was in for 6. No regrets but if I could choose to do it all over again and end up with the same family, USAF, here I come!

Blessings to your Mom and what you say is absolutely true - military life can be brutally hard on spouses, I've seen it plenty.
 
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