These are the people that you should be thanking for the bounty that you have.
On this holiday Americans celebrate many things, family, friends and the good things in their lives.
This how the Kavika family spent Thanksgiving.
We had dinner at our house. Our guests were my brother in law (retired 24 years Army Infantry) sister in law (retired 20 years Army signal corp). Our neighbors, Jerry and Elaine (Jerry Army vet) and another neighbor Kate (her husband was 24 years Army) and had walked on last year. All had seen extensive combat and there are a few Purple Hearts among us.
The phone rang and it was my BIL/SIL grandson calling from Lakeland AFB in Texas. Earlier in the day my son (disabled Marine) called and my great-grandson called from Australia (Special Air Services, Australian special forces) phoned. It reminded us as it always does that many of our fellow Americans are out there today/tonight. Scattered across the U.S. and the world. Each doing their job while we are able to be home with friends and family.
Glasses were raised and a toast to ''missing comrades'' was made.
For the last 200 plus years, we have been able to celebrate because they are out there, on the line. Some as we speak are outside the wire.
A toast to our military members who are holding the line.
A salute to you.
Tags
Who is online
60 visitors
I'd love to be able to share a Thanksgiving dinner with my old squad.
Unfortunately, I'm the last Indian standing of our squad.
It is a shame that so very many tend to forget, or perhaps even ignore, those who have given that more precious of all things, their life, for their country.
The men and women from all walks of life have dedicated their life to save and protect their country, and those who share it, without regards as to the color of their skin, religious beliefs, ethnic background, and gender. Without their selfless sacrifices America could not have developed into the would leader it has become.
All gave some. Some gave all. And we will never forget those who stood with us against our enemies to secure America's future for those who will follow us in the generations to come.
We are all one.
Dear Brother Kavika: Super and very important timely article.
I hear you.
Last of mine left too.
Good people all.
Never shirked duty.
Never stood down.
Never ducked a challenge, however dangerous or difficult.
Those who serve are the best of us.
I am grateful to have served with them.
Lessons learned from them stick with me all my days.
P&AB.
Enoch.
Semper Fi to all and may the rest of your year be bountiful.
Amen 1st. Did my share for 20 years that included time n SE Asia, on board ship, and at McMurdo Station Antarctica. Missed a lot of holidays, but I don't regret a one, well maybe except the Vietnam one. My utmost thanks and respect goes out all vets both present and past that have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice on behalf of out great nation. This old broken down sailor salutes you all, and to those serving now, I pray you all come safely to your families and loved ones. Hope all had a Great Thanksgiving, and as the good man said above, Semper Fi to all!
Thank you for your service also Doc. Yeah, that 'Nam thingy was a funny one. In '66, we got SPAM - the meal of Champions, baked beans, instant mashed potatoes from the box, and kool-aid. In '67, we actually got turkey, cranberry sauce, baked beans, real mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, chocolate cake and REAL milk. We even had some one-star from Saigon travel up to give us Holiday Cheer.
Sounds like you had a good scrounger.
I was lucky to get dinner on the LPH I was flying off of. Still would have much ppreferred to be at home.
A bit of personal history Doc and 1st.
I belong to a very special and select club. We named it the 7-11 club. 11 went in and 4 came out. Of those four I'm the last Indian standing. Every November the four of us would get together and spend a few days together and toast to our missing comrades.
My last buddy walked on a few years back. A hell of a guy. A Creole from LA.
For the past few years, its a meeting of one and I toast to them all. It's the only time of the year that I drink alcohol.
This year seemed to be especially rough. Getting really old I guess.
No, not getting old - just getting more experienced.
Kavika - your brothers will always be with you and they will be protecting you.
A toast to you my nijii.
chi miigwetch niijii
I hear you and understand brother. My thanks for sharing that.
Thanks Doc.
All of our veterans and current active and reserves and National Guard all deserve our gratitude, thanks, and respect. All Americans myself included thank all who have, are and will serve(d) for their sacrifice in defense of our freedom and independence. I hope we soon see that 6th symbol for the Space Force as I think space will play a pivotal role in our physical and economic security in the near future. To all in service and who have served, thanks for all that you did/do.
He got actual food!!!!!?????
We always got MRE's. I always traded for the ham slice.
MRE's were before our time. We just had the "K" rations. I always swapped my "beef stew" for someone's ham or, ugh, spam.
I've always liked spam, even right out of the can is fine. It's a very rare meat...
Now that's funny! During my days in the field, MRE's had not been invented yet. We had K and C rats. I grew fond of spam but hated the Lima beans and the fruit cake!
"K" rats Fruitcake - the weapon of choice. Man, we used to have contests as to who could throw it the furtherest and do the most damage to a tent wall.
Ahhh - memories.
Good old Spam....It's also known as ''Ojibwe Steak''....
I threw plenty of it out the door of Marine Hueys I crewed.
About the only good thing about the fruitcake is if something like the ham and eggs or lime beans gave you the runs, the fruitcake could be used to stop you up!