Veterans' Thread

ElfDude · Post by **ElfDude** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:39 pm

This evening I was given a photo of my dad. This was taken around 1950. When he came home from WW2 he had obtained the rank of Sergeant. He decided that were he ever to go to war again he wanted to go as an officer. So, in addition to his major in college he did ROTC. Here we see him having received the rank of Lieutenant. For some reason the picture moved me. And for some other reason I felt that I really wanted to share the pic with you guys.

CygnusX1 · Post by **CygnusX1** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 4:05 am

Interesting uniform Elf.

Was he in the Army Air Corps?

I can see his Rifleman pin and Jump Wings (Paratrooper Pin).

The three "hashmarks" on his sleeve tell me he had about twelve years "in" when the pic was taken..

(Unless they represent two-year draft "hitches." Nowadays, each hash
represents a four-year hitch.)

Nice image Elf, and as customary I thank him for HIS service to our
country too. Beautiful backround BTW....

Now THEM'S SOME MOUNT'INS!

Thanks for sharing. Wow, you're a chip off the ol' block Elf!

ElfDude · Post by **ElfDude** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:42 am

CygnusX1 wrote: Wow, you're a chip off the ol' block Elf!

Thanks Cyg, but I'll never be the man he is.

Yeah, Army airborne. I'm thinking that at that time he'd been in for about 8 or 9 years... not exactly sure of the date he went in...

CygnusX1 · Post by **CygnusX1** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:45 am

ElfDude wrote:
CygnusX1 wrote: Wow, you're a chip off the ol' block Elf!
Thanks Cyg, but I'll never be the man he is.

Yeah, Army airborne. I'm thinking that at that time he'd been in for about 8 or 9 years... not exactly sure of the date he went in...

Just be the best you can at what you do and you'll be doing right by him.

After all, that's all he wanted to do.

Soup4Rush · Post by **Soup4Rush** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:27 am

I dig the old school Army Air Force uniforms.. Thanks for sharing Elf as I am a a WWII history buff.. and I am sure dad is proud of the man you are..

Big Blue Owl · Post by **Big Blue Owl** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:11 am

I can see your face in his. That's a cool pic, Elf. I find that people looked much more....I don't know, important or star-like in those days.
I wanna find some military pics of my pop to post in here as well.

CygnusX1 · Post by **CygnusX1** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:37 am

Big Blue Owl wrote: I find that people looked much more....I don't
know, important or star-like in those days.

it's the Brylcreem and Burma Shave! hahahaha

Big Blue Owl wrote:I wanna find some military
pics of my pop to post in here as well.

post 'em up Owlie. We appreciate your Dad's service too!

ElfDude · Post by **ElfDude** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:42 am

CygnusX1 wrote: post 'em up Owlie. We appreciate your Dad's service too!

What he said, man!!!

Walkinghairball · Post by **Walkinghairball** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:00 am

I wanna find some military pics of my pop to post in here as well.

I can't say me too loud enough!!!!

Just need to get's me a scanner.

awip2062 · Post by **awip2062** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:32 am

ElfDude wrote: For some reason the picture moved me. And for some other reason I felt that I really wanted to share the pic with you guys.

Pictures like this move me, too. I'm glad you posted it, thanks!

It would be cool to have pictures of all our kin in uniform on here. Perhaps a new thread?

CygnusX1 · Post by **CygnusX1** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:13 am

Members of the 838th Military Police Company returned home from their deployment to Afghanistan.

http://pentagontv.feedroom.com/?fr_stor ... 63a&rf=rss

Welcome home, and job well done TROOPS!

CygnusX1 · Post by **CygnusX1** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:22 am

The U.S. Navy Hospital Ship USNS Mercy arrived back at its homeport of
San Diego September 25, following a four-month humanitarian mission
to Southeast Asia.

http://dod.feedroom.com/?fr_story=FRdamp302873&rf=rss

Welcome home shipmates! Thank you for your service to the WORLD.

ElfDude · Post by **ElfDude** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:23 pm

CygnusX1 wrote:
Welcome home shipmates! Thank you for your service to the WORLD.

Ditto that!

awip2062 · Post by **awip2062** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:34 pm

Nasty United Statians!

And if we didn't help....? lol

CygnusX1 · Post by **CygnusX1** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:50 am

The Department of Defense announced October 1 that families of
deployed members of the National Guard and Reserve, active duty
service members on independent duty and their families, and active duty
service members and their families assigned to selected bases would be
eligible for free family memberships at participating YMCAs in their local
community.

The new program, which is effective immediately, was unveiled in a
signing ceremony presided by Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel
and Readiness David S.C. Chu. Also signing the document was Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Thomas F. Hall and the
Executive Director of the Armed Services YMCA, retired Navy Rear Adm.
Frank Gallo.

"We know these programs are key to personal health and well-being, help
build strong families, and reduce stress and feelings of isolation," Chu
said. "I am extremely pleased to announce our new partnership."

The free YMCA memberships for Guard and Reserve families will be
available while the service member is deployed for a minimum of six
months. The deploying service member will also be eligible for three
months pre- and post-deployment membership to help promote family
participation.

Active duty families assigned to independent duty stations, such as
recruiting and ROTC assignments and not currently receiving support
from the service component will also be eligible for free memberships at
participating YMCAs. Single service members are eligible for fitness
center memberships up to $50 a month.

Active duty families at selected bases will also be eligible for free YMCA
memberships as part of a pilot program. Memberships will be issued on a
first come, first served basis with 300 to 450 family memberships
available per joint base location.

The selected bases are: Lackland Air Force Base/Randolph AFB/Ft. Sam
Houston, Texas; Langley AFB, Va.; McCord Air Force Base/Ft. Lewis,
Wash.; Ft. Carson, Colo.; Pearl Harbor/Hickam AFB, Hawaii; Naval
Weapons Station, Charleston S.C.; McGuire AFB/Ft. Dix/ Lakehurst Naval
Air Engineering Station, N.J.; Anacostia Naval Air Station /Bolling AFB,
Washington, D.C.; Ft. Myer/Henderson Hall, Va.; Elmendorf AFB/Ft.
Richardson, Alaska; and Andrews AFB/Naval Air Facility, DC/Md.

Additionally, 32 hours a month of free respite child care will be available
for families of deployed National Guard and Reserve and geographically
dispersed active duty service members in 10 states with YMCA child care
programs preapproved by DoD.

Respite Child Care is currently available at participating YMCAs in the
following ten states: Indiana, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, New
York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington. DoD is
working with the Armed Services YMCA on ways to expand the number
of YMCA child care programs eligible to offer respite care in order to
meet this critical need.

Participating YMCAs have agreed to cap their monthly fees and waive all
joining fees so there is no cost for service members and their families for
membership. Some classes may have fees associated with them and if
so, the service member will be responsible for those costs.

"Since the Civil War, the Armed Services YMCA has been committed to
supporting our troops and improving their quality of life," said
Gallo. "This new initiative will go a long way to help America's military
families live healthy lives."

Signing up for the program requires a YMCA/DoD eligibility form, a copy
of deployment orders and military ID. The YMCA/DoD eligibility form is
available at http://www.miltaryonesource.com/ . A completed eligibility
form, a copy of deployment orders (where applicable) and the military ID
are all that are needed for the local YMCA to process memberships.