Servie men & women

[Ron@redondo]

U.S. Marines 63-68. Father U.S. Army WW II.

[jknaus]

Started out as an armoured crewman in the reserves and 27 years later retired from the Canadian Air Force, although I didn't stray far.
James

[bobs_buckles]

I have never served my country in the military, but I'm eternally grateful, respectful and proud of those who have and continue to do so.

My Dad and Grandfather before him both served in the Royal Navy. Pops on HMS Tuna 1943-45 and grand-pops on armoured tugs during WW1. They're both honoured in my signature picture below.

vB

[Monty]

...Hmmm.... Loaded thread, excuse the (very bad) pun... The stories of service, sacrifice and hardship are inspirational, sad and often just amplify the folly of war, and often the motives and issues are unclear to the participants... Let me make it clear that I have great respect for someone who lays their civilian ideals aside and goes to war for their ideals, family and country...

I served in the South African Air Force during the Apartheid era in the 70's.... Now that, I'm sure, got some attention... Yes it was conscription, and yes, I could have gone to jail otherwise, and yes I could have left the country, but I didn't.. I did my time and never killed anyone I know about, certainly never served on the "Sharp End" up in the Border area and never did anything to be ashamed of, but just the thought leaves me with doubt as I grow older... was that entire war really necessary at all? And I'm sure there are some of you reading this who are just a bit horrified... remember, the victors get to write the history and judge the morality...

After my compulsory service I worked in healthcare solely caring for those oppressed by that system for 12 years... the least I could do... I know this sounds guilt-laden, but it's not so, it is the conscious path to a better future, but it is difficult... The memories do fade, but they are there...

Regards,

Marc

[Medic]

Hi Marc,
Very profound insight. Necessary or not war has occurred since the dawn of time and will continue long after the ink of this post dries. It's not a matter of could or should, you did what you were asked to do by your country when you were asked. I have a close friend who was a South African conscript in the army around the same time. In my mind regardless of the conflict, location or ideology of the participants the bond and brotherhood of servicemen and women is a very powerful connection and is what I choose to remember out of my 22 years of service. I take my hat off to you all.
Cheers, Medic

[coyotemagic]

Many of us who served in Viet Nam felt much the same as you, Marc.  You are not alone, brother.
Cheers,
Bud

[Manni]

I must say that I have deep respect, for those men and women, that risc their lives for their country . For my person, I can only say that I have never served in the army (Germany) I did so called Zivildienst this means I lived for 15 month in alternating shifts (24/7) with an other guy with a rollchair driver. He was paralysed up to his head. I went wit him in the park, to foodball matches, made his laundry, wash him, cook for him and helped him with the toilet.
I did not go to the army, because my grandpa said: Make something peaceful, he took me besides and told some things long ago.
He served in WWI and WWII in the Wehrmacht in WWII he went back by foot from Russia to his family, his ringfinger was cut off, because a soldier wanted the ring but he did not get of the finger.
When he came to Germany, he was told that his house is now no longer his property and his Family had to move to Düsseldorf.
When he got there he learned, that his wife and one of his daughters did suicide because they could not stand the numberless rapes of the soldiers of the red army.
He was the most gentle man I would ever knew, he was so warm hearted and I had a real good time with him; he never get loud or angry.
My father was too joung to realize the horror of war. Otherwise I think it would have broken his mind.
I pray, that my little daughter will never learn what war means, but I think this is just wishful thinking.
Manni

[stefanbuss]

My mother's family was bombed out of their hometown, Hamburg, during Op. Gomorrha in 1943. My father's family had to flee the Red Army out of Festung Breslau in 1945 (my father was three years old, then).

I am serving my country in the Luftwaffe as technical specialist on transport aircraft since 1988.

Stefan

[Medic]

Thanks for your comment Manni/Stefan. It provides us all with an opportunity to reflect.
Medic 

[Borsos]

My grandfather (mom's side) was a Major with the flak and served in Africa where he became POW. The rest of his unit was annihilated after that at the Eastern Front, so he was lucky. My other grandfather was a soldier in the Czech army and then pressed into the Wehrmacht due to his German origin. He lost his leg some days before Stalingrad was surrounded, so somehow he was a lucky guy too - to escape with his life at least. All my grandparents lost their homes in 1945, coming from Eastern Prussia or from the Sudetenland. None of my grandfathers spoke about their war experiences, both were shocked and traumatized for life. The former major was asked to build up the Bundeswehr in 1955, but he refused.
So my choice was quickly done: I joined, like Manni, the civil service and served a year in a hospital (and to say it clear : I 've seen much more blood and suffer then my fellows that went to the Bundeswehr in the late nineties...). I never regretted this decision.
Borsos

[Monty]

Some great comments here... Respect... Marc

[oldalbie]

We should also spare a moment to think of the passing today of Bob Hoover.  Although he wasn't a WWI pilot, he was called the "greatest stick and rudder guy that ever flew," by Jimmy Doolittle.  Escaped from a POW camp, stole a German plane and flew it to freedom.  So many great vets are leaving us.