Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Thank you.

2Dragons Loc: The Back of Beyond

I was appalled when I read what you said about WWP, as we had donated money to them for years along with monthly boxes of food, books, magazines, personal products, etc. to our troops in Iraq & Afghanistan, and when my spouse of 49 years, Nam Vet, Bronze Star recipient, passed on we requested that all donations in lieu of flowers be made to WWP, and hundreds of people donated in his name.

I just googled Charity Navigator to see what they had to say and it looks like 59.9% of what WWP collects actually goes to the veterans, while a total of 40% is spent on administration and fundraising. According to some government figures I read years ago, if a charity spends more than 17% on administration and fund raising, don't donate to them. You can check it out here:
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12842#.Vdc4t5ewFnp

MontanaTrace

Once, on leave for Christmas, I put on my uniform and was dropped off by a friend on I-75, south of Atlanta. December 24, 1966. I hitch hiked to St. Petersburg. Within a few minutes, I had a beer bottle thrown at me from a car probably driving the speed limit. Could have been deadly. Missed. I did get picked up and driven to Americus, Georgia, about a third of my journey. Sign at the beginning of town, "No hitch Hiking." As I carried a stuffed duffel bag through town, a Highway Patrol Officer pulled over and hit his siren for a quick alert. He waved me to approach. I opened the passenger door. He asked if I was hitch hiking. I responded: "Not in town." He asked where I was headed. "Get in." He was now off duty and heading home for Christmas with his wife and two young children. He would drive me about sixty miles further south.

After a few minutes of conversation, he said it was okay if I wanted to take a nap. He must have been joking. He was driving a hopped up Pontiac V8 with three on the column. Curvy roads. He knows them well. There was no way I could sleep, with both my feet practically pushing through the floorboard as I pushed on the imaginary brakes on my side. Speed limit 55MPH. He'd shift to second as he'd hit the curve at 75MPH.

Cars we'd come up on that were also doing 70-75 would quickly slow as they saw his red bubble gum machine. "Damn! I wish they knew I was off and would maintain the speed." As soon as the road had any straight he'd throw it back into second and pass. Holy Shit!

We stopped at a government refueling station. The prisoner attendants wore black and white stripes. They asked the man for some Christmas money. They knew my driver. He gave them each a dime.

From there, we drove to the expressway. Hid under an overpass, in the shadows. No radar, just a feel for speeding semi's. "Here's one!" Red light and siren on, he'd pullover the speeder. Three times, he'd get back in the car, "not going your way."

Fourth stop, "He's glad to give you a ride to St. Petersburg, in exchange for no ticket."

Ya gotta love a man in uniform.

The trucker ran around and grabbed my bag and opened the door. We both waved at my GHP Officer. Four hours later, "Thanks for the ride and Merry Christmas."

My uniform meant different things to different people. This is a wonderful memory. Scariest goodwill ride of my life.

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

You are Welcome!

ronsipus Loc: Mission Viejo, CA

Thank you for caring enough to make the comment. It was a privilege to serve.

woodsliv Loc: Tehachapi,CA

Thanks Greg. I was Air Force stationed in Korat, but spent a lot of time sitting in Cam Rahn Bay. 7accs C-130, I never
had a weapon, but always had Armed guards on the A/c with 12 gauge shotguns. M16 would penetrate the a/c and command center trailer inside. We commanded almost every air and ground strike in the war. Yesterday at 64 I had my first Va doctors appointment. Found out I had Prostate Cancer in 2011,so VA is covering it because of agent orange. Thanks to everyone who put their time in. and yes coming home to the US was not a welcoming.

One Rude Dawg Loc: Athol, ID

Thanks and you can thank Jimmy Carter one of our illustrious leaders for pardoning all the draft dodgers who made it out of the country, no questions asked. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

u02bnpx Loc: NW PA

I have long advocated mandatory national service for all. As one who lived his formative years during World War II, I volunteered for the USMC in 1953 and served until 1956. I had volunteered for infantry, but the Korean War ended in August 1953, about two weeks before we graduated from boot camp at Parris Island. I became a Marine journalist instead. But my military experience was greatly responsible for the life work I pursued as an English prof and frequent writer for various magazines and newspapers. "Semper Fi" has served me well.

EdM Loc: FN30JS

2dragons.. well, I read 5%, but won't quibble... there are others much better. I read the CEO gets a mil/yr, that started me thinking and looking....
Ed

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

Thanks for the recognition. I am a US Army veteran having served from 1966 to 1970. (Did not deploy to Viet Nam but spend a somewhat dicey time in Turkey during my service.) I am gratified to see that the people of the US seem to be appreciating the people who serve in the military services more than they did during the Viet Nam conflict although I understand the social conflict that was going on at the time.

Having said that I must comment on what I think is a major mistake we are making now. We seem to be glorifying the military and military action more and more and we are not questioning our leader's decisions to rush to war. We need to make a clear distinction between military service (very necessary for a free country) and military action (something else completely and when misdirected is dangerous for our country and the world).

I'm not advocating for any particular side here just for a more open discussion about our use of military force on a national scale and that we continue to understand the difference between military service and military action.

George Kravis

Your sincere complements appreciated, I spent three years in naval combat in WWII and am grateful for the Enemy's bad aim. Thanks

IsoBob Loc: Hamilton, NJ

Thank you very much! Not often we are remembered. A few days ago I went to a FedEx site to send a package. Had on my Navy Veteran hat and the fellow that took my package thanked me for my service. I was really moved by what he said. US Navy WWII.
Bob

Cryppy Loc: Gouldsboro, ME

Thanks Greg.

EdM Loc: FN30JS

Montana T...... know how you felt, was at New Stanton,Pa Tpk,old exit 8, in uniform and a guy pulled up and asked "what subway stop (NYC)" never forget that..

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

I'm a vet and I chase down our Air Force guys I see from time to time along with policeman, fireman, etc. They all deserve our thanks for being there when no one else will.

Oh, you're welcome. Happy to be of service.