WWTBAM Bored

Thanks you for all you have done and sacrificed for this country!

You have helped to make us who we are!

I am grateful.

rec

Amen, amen, amen.

As many of you know, I have a very soft spot for the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service and Education Center, which provides training such as computer skills for veterans and a place for homeless veterans to come every day. The Center also runs The Walker House for homeless women veterans.

So, a shameless plug here. If you are ever in Center City Philadelphia a couple blocks north of Independence Hall, be sure to go to the Purple Heart Cafe, the lunch room run by previously homeless veterans who learned culinary skills at the Center.

And a special hug to heaven to The Handsome Feeney Driscoll, who served in the European Theater with the 28th, called the Bloody Bucket by the Germans because of the red keystone on their sleeve.

I'd like to say a special thank you to the veterans in my life. My father, who served in Afghanistan in 2002 and is currently in Iraq, my brother Trevor, who is scheduled to be deployed to Iraq in May, and my Grandpa, who served in the Pacific in World War II. Grandpa Bill graduated from high school in 1944, and after they received their diplomas, all the young men marched down to the recruitment center and signed up.

Edited to change my avatar to my Dad, LTC Thomas Rafferty. This was his first view of Afghanistan from the helicopter.

Ditto from me.

For my Dad, who got bounced around the U.S. during WW II for bomb disposal training and work with Italian POWs.

For my uncles, who served in the U.S., Europe and Northern Africa.

For SIL, with one stint in Iraq and now at Fort Irwin training others for the task.

For his parents, both of whom are retired Army.

For everyone, past and present, directly or related, who answered the call of duty.

Many, many thanks to all who served our country.

Special thanks to all here (as well as the loved ones of those here) who have served or are serving.

And extra-special thanks to Sparky . If I can't get a call to you today, I hope you understand...

To all of you serving or have served or (I would like to add) are waiting for or caring for someone who serves/has served, bless you all.

Since we're mentioning relatives, there's my dad, who served as a corporal in an artillery unit in France and Germany in WWII, and my mom, USN, Aerographer's Mate First Class, stationed in Washington DC in a code-breaking unit that received a special citation from President Roosevelt.

Many thanks to everyone who served in any branch. The gift of our freedom is something we can never repay. My father (BigClyde) spent a good deal of time in Italy during WWII with the 91st Infantry Division until he had the misfortune of standing in the same spot some German lead wanted to pass thru.

I'm glad this got brought forward. I had a father in law at Omaha Beach
12 days after D-Day and a son in law with 2 tours in Iraq and still serving in the
US Army.

I am very grateful to live in a free country. Thanks to all who fought,
served, sacrificed and/or gave their lives so I could have this privilege.

I will wear my Pat Tillman jersey Sunday to the Panthers game, when we'll have our annual Veterans Day salute at halftime.

Thanks to everyone who sacrificed and who will.

A rec for every post in this thread. And a big thank you to our veterans.

Here, Here! God bless all of our Veterans. Thank you for your service and sacrifice!