Let's never forget our wounded and fallen soldiers

[Bootneck]

Flight get canceled?

Nah. I'm here in Candy Bar. Kicking my heels for a few days. It's 2009hrs. The bar's open, but it only serves fucking soft drinks!

I'm sure the Taliban are greatly relieved by your delayed return!!

They have the base surrounded now. Sounds like they're chanting:

"What do we want?"
More jokes!
When do we want them!
Now!"

Well they can fuck off. I'm here to chat up my bird!

 

[Bootneck]

AHHHH....OK. I was under the impression that you were heading back last night (my local time).

A bar with only soft drinks? They can't call themselves a bar! Thats against international law or sumtin'.

Left yesterday morning. Arrived in Candy Bar (Kandahar for the uninitiated) last night.

Gotcha.

Srsly tho...a bar with no booze? Isn't that just a soda fountain?

No. It's a fucking nightmare!

 

[California Girl]

Nah. I'm here in Candy Bar. Kicking my heels for a few days. It's 2009hrs. The bar's open, but it only serves fucking soft drinks!

I'm sure the Taliban are greatly relieved by your delayed return!!

They have the base surrounded now. Sounds like they're chanting:

"What do we want?"
More jokes!
When do we want them!
Now!"

Well they can fuck off. I'm here to chat up my bird!

I thought it was "Boots! Boots! He's The Man! If he can't catch us, no one can!"

 

[California Girl]

AHHHH....OK. I was under the impression that you were heading back last night (my local time).

A bar with only soft drinks? They can't call themselves a bar! Thats against international law or sumtin'.

Left yesterday morning. Arrived in Candy Bar (Kandahar for the uninitiated) last night.

Gotcha.

Srsly tho...a bar with no booze? Isn't that just a soda fountain?

USMC got there first. Drank it dry. Left.

 

[Truthmatters]

Lets remember this thread is only for honoring vets

 

[PatekPhilippe]

Left yesterday morning. Arrived in Candy Bar (Kandahar for the uninitiated) last night.

Gotcha.

Srsly tho...a bar with no booze? Isn't that just a soda fountain?

USMC got there first. Drank it dry. Left.

I think even they are having a hard time finding booze. They search your bags for it when you arrive in country if I'm not mistaken.

 

[PatekPhilippe]

Lets remember this thread is only for honoring vets

Please get a clue...we are honoring a vet with our discussion....carry on.

 

[Truthmatters]

Giving them the care they deserve is honoring them too

 

[California Girl]

Gotcha.

Srsly tho...a bar with no booze? Isn't that just a soda fountain?

USMC got there first. Drank it dry. Left.

I think even they are having a hard time finding booze. They search your bags for it when you arrive in country if I'm not mistaken.

They have not yet worked out that the only thing worse than a drunk Marine, is a sober one.

 

[random3434]

Nah. I'm here in Candy Bar. Kicking my heels for a few days. It's 2009hrs. The bar's open, but it only serves fucking soft drinks!

I'm sure the Taliban are greatly relieved by your delayed return!!

They have the base surrounded now. Sounds like they're chanting:

"What do we want?"
More jokes!
When do we want them!
Now!"

Well they can fuck off. I'm here to chat up my bird!

Those duffers can drip all they want, because I'm corps pissed for my pusser!

 

[Toro]

Thank you for your service.

 

[PixieStix]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02tcb7b34do&feature=channel"]YouTube - Operation Gratitude: www.operationgratitude.com[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCDseAUV6oc"]YouTube - The Gratitude Project - Presented by Thank A Soldier[/ame]

 

[random3434]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pfBUUZNbFM]YouTube - Thank You Soldiers - Veteran's Day/Memorial Day Song[/ame]

 

[California Girl]

I have sent two care packages to the Brit troops as a 'thanks'. The message in both reads thus "Our friend "Bootneck" is a Royal Marine. The enclosed is from his 'net buddies'. We pray for his, and your, safe return to your home and families. With love from "The Friends of Bootneck" at USMB."

I'm thinking I'll send a couple every month till he gets his ass back here.

 

[random3434]

The cards my class made for the Vets here at the VA:





(If you click on the pic you can see it better)

 

[Colin]

Do you know what it’s like to feel the pain?
The aching body, life’s a constant drain.
Uncontrollable anger, throughout does surge,
I hate those feelings that pent up urge.

Incredible discomfort, the body suppressed,
An altered ego, the other depressed.
Unknown instructions, relentless road,
Self-destructing, helpless mode.

Outbursts of emotions, not good to the eye
Alternative actions curl up and die.
Unable to see, why with life I can’t cope,
That eternal triangle, end of the rope.

At night the dreams come, destruction of life,
Death is the struggle, the pain and the strife.
That feeling of running, with no-where to go,
These are some of the feelings, you’ll never know.

Keep down the man, but the thoughts still remain.
Eternal combustion, ever-lasting pain.
Help is the plea, yet these words, you don’t hear,
When will this end, this living in fear.

Not fear of the living, not fear of the dead,
Only fear of the thoughts, trapped in my head.
My life’s been destroyed; I’m no longer free,
This is what war has done to me.

Not out for revenge, I’m nobodies fool,
One hundred percent, I gave them my all.
I’m living an endless, nightmare hell,
I want my life back, I need to be well.

Control is no option; it’s all down to fate,
Please help me return, before it’s too late.
See the mouth move, but the words you can’t hear,
It’s like screaming in pain, you’re so unaware.

Alone in this world, comprehension is void,
No wonder I’m angry, pent up, and annoyed.
Remorse for my actions, hit hard on the soul,
Relentless searching, never reaching the goal.

Swap places with me, from my feet to my head,
Feel what it’s like, alive but yet dead.
Discontinued association, emotions depleted,
In this war I have lost, completely defeated.

Understanding is absent, in death I’ll prevail,
An easy way out, without, it can’t fail.
Adverse discomfort, causes unwanted thought,
Complicated reactions, leaves this lifeline taut.

Constructive conclusion, assistance required,
Derogative emotions, from the heart have been fired.
Détente relaxation, of thoughts to survive,
Comprehension is needed, whilst I’m still alive.

Fractious deception, on the way to go on,
It’s been some time; it’s been too long.
A final plea, before life I depart,
Hapless, helpless screams from the heart.

Last chance to resume, tow the line,
Please give me back, what once was mine.
Denial of life, held by a strand,
The desert took toll, alone in the sand.

So open your heart, as your ears seem so closed,
I’m not who I was, all calm and reposed.
Please feel what I feel, be exposed to my life,
Feel as it goes in, the twist of the knife.

The pain everlasting, never apart,
Feel what I feel, deep in my heart.
Know what its like, withdrawn inside,
Feel the feelings, from which I hide.

It’s just not fair; hear these words I tell,
That to be with me, you must share my hell.
So hear these words from present and past,
I ask not much, but peace at last.

The war may have ended, the battle was won,
I’m still fighting my fight; my war still goes on.
Despondent, dismayed, feeling low and diminished,
The war may have ended, but my battles not finished.

With what’s left of life, I hold on and sustain,
Yet within this darkness, I wallow in pain.
There’s no moving forward, I’m held in the past,
Please free me from this hell, at last.

Know what I see, from these eyes of fate,
Help me return, before it’s too late.
And remember the dead, the commitment and giving,
But please don’t forget, the dead that are living.​

Murray Brown, British Gulf War veteran​

 

[Colin]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2D5UaNO5HE]YouTube - Katherine Jenkins - Requiem for a Soldier[/ame]

 

[random3434]

Bootneck sent me this, I thought it was really great and wanted to share. Colin knows it too.

I am a soldier and a warrior
I will train hard, fight hard and think hard
And I will do so with courage
I will fight for my comrades, my commanders and the Queen
And I will do so with pride
And I will help others to do so
I will defeat the enemy through my professionalism and skill
And I will do so with self-discipline
I will earn the trust and respect of my fellow warriors
And I will do so through honourable actions
I will lead and mentor all those who fight with me
And I will serve them with integrity and commitment
I will overcome adversity and fear
I will never forget those who have gone before me
I will always be a British soldier

 

[Colin]

Look at this picture and weep. And while you weep, remember the sacrifice young men and women through the ages have been prepared to make so that we may sleep peacefully at night. Next time you see a vet on your travels, make his day and just say thank you. Show him you care for the sacrifice he made for you. The future he gave up so that we can enjoy ours.

 

[Madeline]

Bootneck and I would like you all to recognize those brave men and women who may be forgotten after they come home, the wounded and the fallen. Maybe send a card to a Vet Hospital, visit a vet who may not have anyone else to see them. My class makes cards for them, it sure brightens up their day. Or just Thank them for their service.


YouTube - 'Love Farewell' tribute for Help for Heroes by John Tams and The Band and Bugles of The Rifles

Thankies for the reminder, Ma'am. There have been some scams and spoofs in the past a la "Any Wounded Solider" letters cannot be delivered, no matter how often this fable gets repeated.

Here's a URL to all the VA hospitals in the US and overseas:

Veterans Affairs National Facilities Locator - Locations

If you know a military family, take a moment to say thankies. I cannot imagine the burden on the spouses, children and parents of active duty personnel.

Operation: Care and Comfort, Adopt A Military Family Program