Veteran's Day - Armistice Day - Remeberance Day

[Rick]

A big thank you to all the vets on both sides of the pond who have served so selfishly to keep our respective ways of life free. Thank you!!!!

[Pal334]

I share Ricks and so many others gratitude for those I served with, those who served before me and especially those now serving. I am off shortly to a Veterans Day service. And would encourage all to do the same in your area

[Winnie]

To the Fallen, you are not forgotten, to the veterans and those still serving my grateful thanks.

[crashdive123]

I admire and thank those that served before and after me. The bonds that were formed with those that I served side by side with will be fondly remembered and never broken regardless of the miles between us. It is heartwarming to see so much support for those in uniform today. It was an honor to serve. I thank each and every one of you that have/are serving. I also thank each and everyone of you for your support of today's troops. It honestly means more than you can imagine.

I'll be involved in a parade tomorrow morning and another ceremony tomorrow afternoon. Pics to follow.

[RandyRhoads]

If I may.....
http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-cpl-charles-p-gaffney-jr/3884758
Army Cpl. Charles P. Gaffney Jr.

Died December 24, 2008 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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42, of Phoenix, Ariz., assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Dec. 24 in Orgun-E, Afghanistan, when his combat outpost received enemy rocket fire.
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Fallen soldier re-enlisted to help others

The Arizona Star via The Associated Press

TUCSON, Ariz. — The father of a Phoenix soldier who was killed when enemy rockets rained down on his Army outpost in Afghanistan on Christmas Eve said his son rejoined the Army several years ago because he wanted to protect “people’s rights around the world.”

Charles P. Gaffney Sr. said his son, Charles Jr., couldn’t be dissuaded from rejoining the Army, which he left after a tour that began in the mid-1980s. The 42-year-old father of two was on duty at a combat outpost in the remote Paktika province when he died.

A corporal with the 101st Airborne Division based at Fort Campbell, Ky., he moved with his family to Tucson in the late 1970s, his father said Wednesday. Gaffney had served about six years in the Army during the 1980s, mostly in Germany, and then returned to Tucson. He worked at several local auto shops and then moved to Las Vegas and worked for a Porsche dealership there.

Meanwhile, his parents moved to Phoenix, and Gaffney joined them several years ago. That’s when he decided he needed to serve his country again, his father said.

“I won’t say I was upset he was going back, but I didn’t want him to,” his father said. “He told me it was for people’s rights around the world, for them to say what they want to say without other people beating them down. And he said he never wanted anyone to come here to the United States and tell his daughters that they had to do things a certain way.

“And then I couldn’t argue with him.”

Gaffney went to Iraq in 2006-07 and was part of security forces outside Baghdad, his father said. He was sent to Afghanistan in October, and talked about it with family friend Hank Savko.

“He had said, ‘I’m not doing it for myself. I’m doing it for the women of Afghanistan,’ ” Savko said. “We kind of looked at him and said, ‘Why?’ He said the women of Afghanistan are so mistreated, they’re not really people like we are in this country. He said, ‘I’m doing it for them.’ ”

Gaffney raced motorcycles while he was stationed in Germany and continued riding in Phoenix. He had many friends in the motorcycle community, both in Phoenix and in Tucson, his father said.

Gaffney is survived by his wife, Latticia, and his twin daughters, Cara and Mia, of Caldwell, Idaho. He’s also survived by his mother, Fina, two sisters and a brother.

Gaffney will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, but his family will remember him first in Tucson on Sunday.

His youngest sister, Catherine, died several years ago, and Gaffney had told his family he’d like to be buried next to her. They decided he should be buried in Arlington but will hold his local service at her Tucson gravesite. They’ll proceed there from Phoenix with an escort from a number of veterans’ groups.



http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-sgt-1st-class-raymond-j-munden/3955962
Army Sgt. 1st Class Raymond J. Munden

Died February 16, 2009 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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35, of Mesquite, Texas; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died Feb. 16 at Forward Operating Base Tillman in Orgun-E, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire.
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Longtime soldier was looking forward to final assignment, retirement

The Associated Press

Raymond J. Munden joined the Army in August 1991, only three months after graduating from high school. Growing up in a military family, he and his brother, Brad, both set their sights on serving their country at a young age.

Raymond joined the Army, and Brad joined the Navy.

“We both knew growing up that that’s what we wanted to do,” said Brad Munden. “He’s always had that passion.”

Munden, 35, of Mesquite, Texas, died Feb. 16 in Paktika province after insurgents attacked his unit. He was assigned to Fort Campbell.

His second tour in Afghanistan was his sixth overall, and he was hoping to work as an instructor at West Point until retirement after returning home. He also served in Somalia and Haiti.

“We were thinking he would never have to go back to war again,” said Dwaine Clark, the soldier’s stepfather.

Munden loved to play sports and participated on football and softball teams. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially with his family.

Munden is survived by his wife, Kelly their daughters, Sydney, 6, and Kailey, 2 and two sons from a previous marriage, Gaven, 13, and Garrett, 12.

[Cast-Iron]

To all those here who have served and those who still serve, Thank You! May God continue to bless you all!

[BornthatWay]

A big thank you to all who have served and to the families of those who have fallen in battle. You are America and what it stands for.

[hunter63]

Thank you all current service people, those that served and died for us.......

[Williepete]

A hugh big THANK YOU to ever one who have served/serving, but also to their families who must endur the long absenttives

Bill

[Phaedrus]

It feels like no words are even close to adequate to thank all those who've served, but I offer them anyway. A huge and heartfelt thanks to all those who served, in whatever branch, in wartime and peace time. Whatever measure of greatness we enjoy as a nation was purchased by your sacrifice.

[Bushman]

at the going down of the sun,

and in the morning

we shall remember them,

Lest we Forget.........

[letslearntogether47]

Thanks to everyone that served.

[nell67]

Thanks,and God bless to all who have,who are,and who will in the future,serve this country.

[jfeatherjohn]

Prayers up.

[natertot]

Thanks to all and God Bless!!!!!!

[Daniel Nighteyes]

To my friends and colleagues who served (and especially those who served with the 101st Abn. from WWII thru today):

There is a reason why the American Eagle (especially the one depicting the 101st) is known as the "Tough Old Bird". YOU, my comrades, are part of that reason. We have been beset, and we have been pushed back, but NEVER have we been defeated. Our Nation is, and always will be, proud of you.

With your help, Old Glory will continue to be the symbol of hope and peace and equality throughout the world.

In modern parlance, "Hoooah!"

-- Nighteyes (1/327 101st Abn, RSVN 1965-66)

[crashdive123]

Participated in the local Veterans Day Parade today. It is reportedly the largest in Florida, and one of the nations largest. Our group had a fairly small turn out today, but there were well over 4,000 participants. Here are a few pictures I snapped along the way.

This was my ride for the parade - a '35 Packard.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Veterans%20Day/VeteransDay2012001.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Veterans%20Day/VeteransDay2012002.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Veterans%20Day/VeteransDay2012013.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Veterans%20Day/VeteransDay2012019.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Veterans%20Day/VeteransDay2012026.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Veterans%20Day/VeteransDay2012028.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Veterans%20Day/VeteransDay2012031.jpg

I need to mention the little girl with the red shorts. She and her sister were handing vets a hand written note thanking them for their service. She ran up to the side of the car and handed me one. It brought a tear to this old man's eye (and again while I'm typing).

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Veterans%20Day/VeteransDay2012034.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Veterans%20Day/VeteransDay2012036.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Veterans%20Day/VeteransDay2012038.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Veterans%20Day/VeteransDay2012042.jpg

This little guy was dancing up a storm.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Veterans%20Day/VeteransDay2012045.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Veterans%20Day/VeteransDay2012047.jpg

Guy on a motorized cooler passing out candy to the kids.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Veterans%20Day/VeteransDay2012049.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Veterans%20Day/VeteransDay2012052.jpg

I don't know how large the crowds were. This is a big Navy town (3 bases close by). It was a real joy to see so many youngins along the parade route, and in the parade (JROTC units).