Veterans' Day
If you are able,
save them a place
inside of you
and save one backward glance
when you are leaving
for the places they can
no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say
you loved them,
though you may
or may not have always.
Take what they have left
and what they have taught you
with their dying
and keep it with your own.
And in that time
when men decide and feel safe
to call the war insane,
take one moment to embrace
those gentle heroes
you left behind.
Major Michael Davis O'Donnell (Killed In Action)
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam
save them a place
inside of you
and save one backward glance
when you are leaving
for the places they can
no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say
you loved them,
though you may
or may not have always.
Take what they have left
and what they have taught you
with their dying
and keep it with your own.
And in that time
when men decide and feel safe
to call the war insane,
take one moment to embrace
those gentle heroes
you left behind.
Major Michael Davis O'Donnell (Killed In Action)
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Brittany France
Posts: 81
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Forces treatment in the best country in the world
Why a veterans day? We have a rememberance day. That would seem sufficient to me.I suspect as one of your writers has suggested it will allow many of our trusted leaders to strut around, patting old vets on the back.
What a difference the French have in this respect. My French neighbour was a sub mariner in the Free French Navy...His war service counted towards his state pension entitlement enabling him to retire early. As an Ancient Combatant he has had the benefit of a reduced income tax equal to having a dependant relative since his early retirement at the age of 53 he is now 85...Not an inconsideable benefit.
I know of no financial benefits paid to UK forces for just serving. Just meaningless platitudes. And in some cases appalling injustice.
What a difference the French have in this respect. My French neighbour was a sub mariner in the Free French Navy...His war service counted towards his state pension entitlement enabling him to retire early. As an Ancient Combatant he has had the benefit of a reduced income tax equal to having a dependant relative since his early retirement at the age of 53 he is now 85...Not an inconsideable benefit.
I know of no financial benefits paid to UK forces for just serving. Just meaningless platitudes. And in some cases appalling injustice.
We have three holidays that seem to overlap now...Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day. One commemorates the service of individuals in the military, one remembers the loss of some of those soldiers that served, and the other commemorates the birth of our nation won by force of arms by soldiers.
Veterans Day seems to be more of a personal remembrance by Veterans, the entire nation remembers on Memorial Day, and it is picnics and fireworks on Independence Day.
Politicians use all three to curry favor.
It never hurts to have a day dedicated soley to remembering those who have served in defense of freedom and the survival of one's country. Tommy likes to feel the warming rays of kind sunshine now don't he?
Veterans Day seems to be more of a personal remembrance by Veterans, the entire nation remembers on Memorial Day, and it is picnics and fireworks on Independence Day.
Politicians use all three to curry favor.
It never hurts to have a day dedicated soley to remembering those who have served in defense of freedom and the survival of one's country. Tommy likes to feel the warming rays of kind sunshine now don't he?
