Today is special (bus)

[cody]

It's 5AM and I'm preparing for a special day, I have located a member of libby's step dads platoon from WW2, to the best of my knowlege they haven't met since after the war and they were discharged, maybe they won't even remember each other, I don't know but i've got the dining room set aside at the local legion building just for them and the post commander is going to treat them to a steak dinner, they crawled thru italy together, fought side by side and then after the war parted company and went to start their own lives, so few of them are still around and now with libby's mom gone and al is so lonely I thought this might brighten up his day a little, he's 86 and in my opinion he's paid his dues and all of mine too, I'm looking forward to it all.  I cannot imagine what he's seen in his lifetime or how it may have changed his life for the better or worse, no idea but to have found the two of them living only a few miles apart and unaware of each other is too good of a miricle to pass up.  I realize this is OT but I felt it is important enough to sit here for a day or so while many of us remember our grandfathers, dads or uncles that were lucky enough to come home from that war and to give a silent prayer for those that are still over there.

[CrabbyMilton]

We owe all of our vets this much and then some. Here in Milwaukee, a local radio host helped an organization charter 2 and soon 3 747's to take WWII vets to see the WWII memorial in Washington DC. It was called the Honor Flights. Quite moving to see these people to experience such joy.

[cody]

The sad part is that so many of them are living alone and many in poverty, they gave so much to protect the American way of life only to find that now in their latter years they can't afford the very pleasures they lived and died to ensure, we owe them a tremendous debt.  Truly the greatest generation, if not for them where would we be now and what would we be doing.

[CrabbyMilton]

At some point, Korean and Vietnam vets will be in this age group so such programs of honor should be in place. All of the money we crap away on worthless social programs could have been scrapped and instead, we should have/be exempting ALL honorably discharged vets from ALL taxes so they wouldn't have to live in poverty or at least offset it.

[Eagle Andy]

Thanks Cody

[grantgoold]

Here is a simple idea:

Stop sending money to those who hate us and start spending money on those that have defended us! We owe our freeedom and liberty to them.

Sorry, I should not get so carried away with elaborate ideas and dreams.

My bad!

Grant

[Mex-Busnut]

Most honorable Mr. Cody sir:

I was never in military service myself, but have had the oportunity to personally spend a lot of time in places like Cambodia, India, Cuba, Nicaragua and many other nations on five continents.  Many Americans have no idea how priveledged and free we really are, nor the price that has been paid by others to keep our freedoms! Several of my uncles served in World War II. Many of my cousins and friends served in Vietnam. I am always greatful to those great men and women who have kept America and the world free. Please thank your stepdad on behalf of one crazy Mexican bus-nut.

Dr. Steve, central old Mexico

[redbus]

Well put Grant.

[Van]

Thanks Cody, from me also

[cody]

Most honorable Mr. Cody sir:
Wow, last time I heard words like that, they were followed with 'love you long time, 5 dolla' lol

[artvonne]

  My Dads still around, he's lived with me (or I with him) since 1987. He was going to go into a high rise after Mom left and made him sell the house. I sat there with him on a bed in a room in a high rise he wanted to look at, and I thought wow, is this how it ends when your only 65 years old?

  He never made it overseas, he contracted some fungus in the swamps down south, it darn near killed him. But his buddies went. His relatives went. I broke his heart he couldnt go. Being here during the war, everyone looked down on you as either 4F or a deserter. 

  So anyway, were sitting there in that high rise, and I looked at my life. Not married, no kids, nothing big going on, I said BS. "lets buy a house!"

  We found a little hobby farm out in the sticks, spent 10 years there. He lost his DL due to vision, hadnt driven in over 15 years. I got an Eye Dr to sign a limited License letter and got him driving again. It only lasted a few years until his vision got too bad, but it was HIS decision to turn it in. He needed that. Having it "taken" from him hurt a lot worse than doing it himself.

  I met my wife in '01. She accepted him and we have all been together ever since. He's 88 now, had a heart attack a year and a half ago, visions much poorer, and he isnt moving around to good. But he's doing alright. Moving south was a good thing, not being stuck inside for 4 months for cold and ice.



 

[luvrbus]

Crabby, some states are very friendly with taxes on the vets New Mexico and Texas that I know of do honor their vets with tax breaks the other 48 should follow the vets deserve it

good luck

[happycamperbrat]

I got goosebumps reading all this. Thanks for posting Cody. Right On Grant!!

[artvonne]

Crabby, some states are very friendly with taxes on the vets New Mexico and Texas that I know of do honor their vets with tax breaks the other 48 should follow the vets deserve it

good luck

 I always thought thats what the "National News" was for, to advise us of whats going on around the Nation. I always knew things were "different" in the south, but did not expect so many differences. People down here (Arkansas) just do things without asking anyone, and no one cares. Its just "normal" to be free, they dont understand me much when I tell them how legislated Minnesota is. There is seldom a day goes by that I dont find something else we can do here without asking permission.

 And the general gratitude towards Vets (and the elderly in general) is different too. Never have so many people reached out to shake my Fathers hand and thank him for his service. You dont see nursing homes on every corner either. They say they "take care of their own", and they more or less mean it.

 Cherish your freedoms these guys fought, and died for. Its really not free. It was paid for with a lot of blood, and just giving it up, like some states have done, is an insult to all the men and women who have fought for our freedom.

[ruthi]

Cody, thanks for posting, and thanks to all for the stories. The heartfelt stories always brings it home. Thanks to all the military, past and present.