Thank you for your service - We Salute All Who Served

I would like to wish all my fellow veterans - Thank you.  The media doesn't give this day its due. However, many do not know, but many of the veterans did not go to combat, jump out of a plane, go to Ranger School, become an officer or do the dangerous work that put people in harms way to protect our way of life. Some of our fellow veterans came in with high hopes to make Sergeant Major, Commanding General or be the best in his job skill.  Some got hurt along the way.  

All the services have their " Fox holes to dig" and have their own set of dangers.  Training in many cases is more dangerous than combat.  One it is the first time you do a live fire maneuver on an enemy position at night during training.  We have to have these exercises to prepare for the real thing. One night at Fort Bragg we had a young private not follow procedures.  We practiced all day doing the same course before we did it at night.  The paratrooper went to fast in his excitement and went in front of his Squad Leader.   The paratrooper whose parachute collapsed but still goes on to jump 80 plus more times to stay Infantry.  The Navy guys who work on the most dangerous areas in the world. The Coast Guard who train in terrible conditions and risk their lives to save others.  

Many do not know that there are many who for no fault of their own got hurt along the way, parachute mishaps, ejecting out of a plane, fall off a tank, loud noises with busted ear drums, fires,  aircraft mishaps and more.  All have ruined the veterans dream of making it to retirement.  Some are crippled for life.  

We salute the ones who died, we salute the ones who are our wonderful wounded warriors;  please don't forget the ones that got hurt along the way fulfilling their dream of a great long career in the service.  These are the forgotten ones.  Sometimes their VA fight is long after their service is done. Many wait because they know that to many of our wounded warriors need help. Then their injuries get worse and it makes it very hard for them to find work. So they eventually go to the VA. 

So we salute all who served.  Not matter how long they served.

This is why We salute All who served.