here i sit remembering.

[sumterdad]

Here I sit on this veterans day remembering as a boy playing with toy soldiers all the while dreaming of being one in real life. Commandoing into the battle to save the day.
As a child it seem fun watching g.I. joe fight cobra. Oh yea I want to be one of them one day. Fast forward a few years and I find myself sitting in the recruiter's office and signing the papers to join the infantry unit. Excitement is beaming my little boy comes out and can't wait to get the word out I am gonna be a army man hooah!:biggrin: then it is time for meld. I go through the physical only to be informed I can't join the infantry because I am red and green deficient meaning I can't see some shades. Bummer but no worries I still get to put on the uniform. Only as a administrative specialist. I get to basic and what a time being yelled at getting up at 4 for pt wolf down your food only to stand outside to wait. Learning to fire your weapon, hand to hand combat, throwing grenades wow this is really great I think to myself. Then comes graduation and at the end of the ceremony the moment it hit me was when the d.I. said I am proud of you SOLDIER. I was no longer a private to yell at but a brother to help. Then comes advance individual training. A few weeks learning my new job. Then it is time.to report to my guard unit after A.I.T. graduation. I am standing there for the first time as a soldier thinking back on my childhood days and I just could not believe that I am living my dream. A few years roll by it is time to reenlist. Well I am sorry to say that I did not reup for it was a time in my life I had to make some decisions. I never seen war time, I never pulled my wounded buddies to safety all I did was put on this uniform with all my heart. I was in uniform the day of 9-11 and it was gut wrenching. Now here it is ten years since I have been out and I wish I could be wearing that uniform again. I feel as though I did not do enough but I did love wearing my uniform and doing the job of a american soldier. I am proud that I served and that I did what I was asked to do. Today I sit here with tears in my eyes wishing I could have done more and thanking the lord for all of those that have died to give us what we have today and to know I was just like them I wore the american soldier uniform with pride. Thank you to all the veterans out there
Chris

 

[jedgerton]

Chris,

Great story. I've never served in the armed forces but I'm sure grateful for all of those who have given so much to preserve our way of life. Regardless of the politics associated with the conflicts we as a country have been involved in, we all owe a great debt to those who are prepared to give everything for us and our country.

John

 

[redbulldog]

Chris: There is one very important thing you have to remember. Any one who serves in any branch...IF he does his or her job they have been trained for, they are an important part of serving!! It takes all different tasks in any branch.

Think about your own body, You are not made up of just arms or just legs, it take different parts to make up a body, The same in any service, it takes ALL tasks not just 1 to have an effective branch of the Service.

 

[renowb]

Ooooh, basic training, how I remember those days! Fort Polk Louisiana, Tigerland. I can say it was real and it was fun, but I can't say it was real fun! But you are right, although I was drafted, I am proud of my service! I stand proud as a Vietnam vet. It is really one part of my past I am proud of.
I remember the smell of gunpowder on the range. I remember the DI grabbing me and telling me "RIGHT" not "LEFT" :frown:. I remember being 19 and being in love for the first time! Man, then I got drafted! WOW! The years fly by. I think I'm gonna go grab a beer!

 

[tim self]

I retired 14 yrs ago and hardly a day goes by I don't miss it. The job and friends made it all worthwhile. I enjoyed ALMOST every day. Thanks for all who sacrificed for our country.