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Thread: Just for giggles

  1. #1
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    Just for giggles

    I was just reviewing my DD214 which defines my military service on one side of a letter sized piece of paper.

    Things I forgot (at least in detail):

    Date of entry: 16 July, 1962
    Net Service: 2 years, 9 months, 15 days
    Foreign and/or Sea Service: 1 year, 9 months, 8 days
    Separated from active duty, Oakland CA on 30 April 1965 with net pay for 38 days of accrued leave.

    While my enlistment was for 3 years I actually served 15 days longer than originally agreed to. I took a transfer from Korea to Vietnam voluntarily late in 1964, with the caveat that I would be separated 3 months early. I ended up staying the extra two weeks to finish the job---and yes I agreed to that.
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
    "Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
    “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis

  2. #2
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    It's always nice to hear about your service to our country, Dave.

    Hunter
    I don't care if it hurts. I want to have control. I want a perfect body. I want a perfect soul. - Creep by Radiohead

  3. #3
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    Muchos appreciados to all vets......Ben
    The future is forged on the anvil of history...The interpreter of history wields the hammer... - Unknown author...

  4. #4
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    I find that the older I get, the more my service means to me. I was not a lover of the control and Lord knows I bucked the system more than once---but I always separated the mission and the military shackles. Looking back I have a better appreciation of those shackles.

    I recognize now that my service was far more of an influence on who I became than I ever realized, I also find I have a far higher regard for the Army than I ever realized.

    On Thursday as my wife and I went through the details of our funerals I was surprised that I agreed to having an honor guard---and I shared then that I wanted that for our grandchildren. Until that day, I only wanted a flag to cover me.

    I have also been thinking about the Vietnam memorial. I met the architect, Maya Lin while working for Knoll, we also have a coffee table (in onyx) which she designed for Knoll. After visiting the memorial I wanted to thank her, for what to me, is one of the most moving memorials that I know---I put it right next to the Pieta in the Vatican done by Michelangelo. I found it impossible to thank her without losing my composure, her profound graciousness made me think she had experienced that before. I also realize that I cannot visit the memorial again, it pulls me down into a very dark place. When I went there, I was with my family, who know almost no details of my service, and it was not possible for them to understand the depth of emotion I was experiencing. Just the act of walking down into the memorial has a profound effect.

    Then yesterday I met this song--as if by some intervention. To all, then and now that gave all----I honor you, you made the ultimate sacrifice
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
    "Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
    “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis

  5. #5
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    Dave, Don't know if you listen to Country Music but, if you want a tear jerker, listen here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21q3gVyj8aA

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Independent Voter View Post
    Dave, Don't know if you listen to Country Music but, if you want a tear jerker, listen here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21q3gVyj8aA
    Wow! I can't believe I've never heard that before. I thought I had everything he had recorded. You can never go wrong with the Possum.

    I once got lucky when I was at a casino in Louisiana. I was unaware he was doing a concert there and to my chagrin it was sold out. Someone left a ticket in a shuttle bus driver's tip jar and I bought it from the driver. I am so happy I got to see him before he passed.
    The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible - Arthur C. Clarke

  7. #7
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    First time I've heard that song as well. Excellent.

    Hunter
    I don't care if it hurts. I want to have control. I want a perfect body. I want a perfect soul. - Creep by Radiohead

  8. #8
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    Thanks IV. I have heard that before but not for a long time. There are now 58,320 names carved on that wall--and my heart goes out to all the "fatherless daughters and fatherless sons".
    When I was there I wasn't focused on those around me but I was aware that many were having the same emotional reaction that I was having.

    Here are the lyrics for that song:
    50,000 Names
    George Jones
    There are teddy bears & high school rings
    and old photographs that mamas bring
    That daddies with their young boys, playing ball.
    There's combat boots that he used to wear,
    When he was sent over there.
    There's 50, 000 names carved in the wall
    There's cigarettes, & theres cans of beer
    and notes that say I miss you dear
    and children who don't say anything at all.
    There's purple hearts and packs of gum
    fatherless daughters and fatherless sons
    and there's 50, 000 names carved in the wall
    They come from all across this land
    In pickup trucks and mini vans
    Searching for a boy from long ago
    They scan the wall and find his name
    The teardrops fall like pouring rain
    and silently they leave a gift and go
    There's stars of David and rosary beads
    and crucifixion figurines
    and flowers of all colors large and small
    There's a Boy Scout badge and a merit pin
    Little American flags waving in the wind
    and there's 50, 000 names carved in the wall.
    There's 50, 000 names carved in the wall...
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
    "Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
    “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Grubb View Post
    Here are the lyrics for that song:
    Those of us without sound thank you for that, Dave......Ben
    The future is forged on the anvil of history...The interpreter of history wields the hammer... - Unknown author...

  10. #10
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    Another one for real tears would be the Statler Brothers. He's more than just a name on a wall.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56gy0Moqffo


    I'll quit now. I can't handle much of those type of songs.

  11. #11
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    I'll quit now. I can't handle much of those type of songs.
    Thanks IV--and neither can I

    For Ben:

    More Than a Name on a Wall
    The Statler Brothers
    I saw her from a distance, as she walked up to the wall
    In her hand she held some flowers, as her tears began to fall
    She took out pen and paper as to trace her mem'ries
    She looked up to heaven, and the words she said were these
    She said, "Lord my boy was special, and he meant so much to me
    And Oh, I'd love to see him just one more time you see
    All I have are the mem'ries and the moments to recall
    So Lord could you tell him he's more than a name on the wall"
    She said, "He really missed the family, being home on Christmas day
    And he died for God and country in a place so far away
    I remember just a little boy, playing war since he was three
    And Lord this time I know, he's not coming home to me"
    She said, "Lord my boy was special, and he meant so much to me
    And Oh, I'd love to see him but I know it just can't be
    So I thank you for my mem'ries and the moments to recall
    But Lord could you tell him he's more than a name on the wall
    Lord could you tell him he's more than a name on the wall"
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
    "Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
    “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis

  12. #12
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    Thanks, Dave...I don't know if I could stand listening to either of those songs, it's tough enough reading without blubbering......Ben
    The future is forged on the anvil of history...The interpreter of history wields the hammer... - Unknown author...

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Truckman View Post
    Thanks, Dave...I don't know if I could stand listening to either of those songs, it's tough enough reading without blubbering......Ben
    I understand---I'm hoping for a drier day today
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” ---Sir Winston Churchill
    "Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all." ---John W. Gardner
    “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ---C. S. Lewis

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