Thanks to our guardians

[Skippy]

I've been thinking a lot lately (that's why you've been smelling something burning whenever you leave the house), and I decided to start a thread for the people who put themselves in harms way to keep us happy, alive, and most importantly, free.

Whenever you see a soldier in uniform, thank him or her for serving.  They will always say "you're welcome" and "that means a lot".  It may just be a couple of words for you, but it speaks volumes to them.  They voluntarily go to nasty places and do horrible things, and sometimes come back physically or mentally incomplete, or not at all...people these days have lost touch with war and its effects.  The Vietnam war was on prime-time TV, highly refuted as the first televised war...nowadays the government controls how much is released to our eyes and ears, so we don't see the full breadth of conflict overseas.  I personally feel that we're far too caught up in our own petty issues to recognize that people are fighting for our freedom every day.

I have several military family members, and I am prudent about acknowledging their service and asking about their experience.  We must remember the past in order to plan for the future.  

I watched my grandfather live out his days in a VA hospital...some place I hope none of you ever have to visit.  If, however, you feel like brightening up somebody's day...anybody's day...visit and say thank you.

This is a charity that all can provide into.  These trendy "support our troops" bumper stickers and ribbons are nothing more than CRAP that people buy and stick to their cars because it's trendy...it may raise money for Vets Affairs, but it's very easily forgotten.  It's also highly impersonal...which has become the trademark for today's society.  I encourage you to approach a soldier or vet and thank them for their service.  I've never come across one that greeted me with anything less than a "hello" and a smile.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of our serving members here and those who served while we were still members of G7A.  I'd also like to thank our members here who are LE, FD, EMS, NG, CG, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or any other agency that protects our country.  

For those of you who have never thanked a soldier, start doing it today.

[CrackerTeg]

Skip, you actually brought a tear to my eye. Not an easy thing to do. You have no idea how much I've heard that "thank you" that you speak of. I personally haven't been overseas, but I've done my fair share of LE here. I don't feel that I deserve those "thank you's," but I know I'm representing something bigger when I put on that uniform. So I say thank YOU Skip for that post.

[ibcnunv]

I send a very big thank you to all those brave men and women out there insuring our safety as American citizens.  Thank you…

& thank you Cole, Jonathan and all other officers within our forum.  

CPR: Courtesy Professionalism and Respect. Trust me it works!!!

[Philly Steve]

Amen, Skip. I saw a ton of our loyal soldiers this week while coming back home from Hawaii. Especially in the Atlanta airport. It really makes you feel safe sometimes to have someone in uniform standing next to you or walking in front of you. Like if anything bad happens you know who would be the first to help you out. I've always wanted to thank the soldiers I see but for some reason I felt like they would be used to it and it might come across as a cliche. Now that I really think about it more it makes me want to thank every single one of them. Even if they hear it all the time they still deserve to hear it again. Especially in times like these when people forget just how horrible war is and how many of our troops are risking their lives fighting a war that is going nowhere. If I were a soldier, I think having people thank me for serving would be the only thing that kept me going.

So thanks for this post Skip. You made me think how privileged we are to sit in our houses and not worry about bombs falling on us or enemy fire ripping through our homes. Amen.

[exelr8]

Skip, That was touching man. My cousin moved in with me last week and i have been veerry close to my cousin ever since she started coming around after he returned from Iraq. This week we have talked more about his tour of duty than we have in a good long while. Just the other night he was telling me how he saw first hand how nobody appreciates what our soldiers do/have done and I am not gonna lie, we both get teary eyed and had a bromance moment over it. It is rreeally nice to see other people who appreciate the fact that people Are doing what they are doing within the miilitary to alloow uus to enjooy the pleasuures we take foor granted here.

Most of you guys may not know, the reason I have not been on here as active lately is I got tired of just doing the same old thing within police work every day, so i joined a volunteer Rescue squad and I have beecome very active within it.

[Jeff Likes Bagels]

I have always been inspired by any form of U.S. military. Whenever I see someone in uniform, it makes me think about how they are risking their life to save mine. Crackerteg, I didn't even know you in LE (I'm not very familiar with everyone here yet). Either way, I highly regard you, and every other person on this forum that has served or is still serving. Even though you kick my ass when I don't post pictures (lol), you're still awesome in my book. Everyone who serves is awesome. There's just no other way to say it. Thanks.

[CrackerTeg]

I have always been inspired by any form of U.S. military. Whenever I see someone in uniform, it makes me think about how they are risking their life to save mine. Crackerteg, I didn't even know you in LE (I'm not very familiar with everyone here yet). Either way, I highly regard you, and every other person on this forum that has served or is still serving. Even though you kick my ass when I don't post pictures (lol), you're still awesome in my book. Everyone who serves is awesome. There's just no other way to say it. Thanks.

Yeah, I'm considered LE even though I'm active duty Coast Guard, go figure. But the Coast Guard is a military branch.

[exelr8]

Z,  had no Idea you were coast guard... Thru the rescue squad i deal with CG and CG aux. all thee time they area  grreeat group of guys. And Thanks From the bottom of my heeart for serving. Honestly, I dont deserve thanks for my job, If anything, I hate telling people I work for PD that does not already know. In chatt, withing the last month our officers have shot and killed 2 people we have had 16 shootings(this year) within the city(shootings by turds not officers) and god knows how many stabbings. I dont want to become a statistic while i am not at work. lol.

[ibcnunv]

a big thank you too big mike because  you look like a cool cop...

[exelr8]

lol thanks Piero! I More enjoy doing the rescue calls and thngs of that sort I am going to start diving soon and work my way into being a rescue diver

[Mike]

Soldiers and the like deserve the biggest thank you that could ever be extended.

[05AccordV6]

Words honestly don't do justice tothe people brave and courageous enough to serve our country, they basically sacrifice their lives, well being and self to protect everyne around them and the ideals of our society.  For that I don't think Thank You is even a fair expression of how much I respect these folks and truly appreciate what they do every day, because I am pretty sure I can't say I would be able to do the same.  So THANK YOU AND STAY SAFE!!

[timot_one]

+1

.....but what about the Air Force?

Anyway, I talk to a lot of people in the military, police departments, and other areas of public service on a daily basis at work.  I always thank them for their service.

[Jeff Likes Bagels]

.....but what about the Air Force?

Heh, my grandfather was a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force. He was even offered to become a brigadier general, but he wanted to keep flying. Needless to say, he was a pretty awesome person.

[Blackhawk]

Beautiful thread, Skip. I came across a 22-year old young man that had just come back from Marines service in Iraq to see his family. He was a scout sniper. I gave him a hug and a big thanks for being out there risking his life for all of us (no homo). I am very thankful for our guardians.