Happy Patriot's Day, America!

[The Reaper]

We don't hear much about it anymore, in the middle of all of the important holidays recognizing diverse groups of us, and with our internationalism, pacificism, socialism, and self-loathing.

The term "Patriot" is the subject of humor and derision to many and is not in vogue now, but I think this just might be the right place to remember that today is Patriot's Day in America, the day we fired the shot, "heard 'round the world" at Lexington and Concord 232 years ago, beginning a long war that looked grim throughout, till finally the enemy boarded their ships and left.

Thanks to all partiots, past, present, and future.

When the last one falls, this dream will end, and the nightmare begin.

Thanks for standing with me, brothers.

TR

[Monsoon65]

TR:

Second generation military. Dad was in Korea and Vietnam, I enlisted when I was 17, my kid brother following me. Dad retired after 24 years, my bro after 21. I'm still in the fight.

Thanks for your sacrifice. Thanks everyone for making the Stand.

[x SF med]

Both my folks were AF Officers, older brother a Marine, me SF.

Thanks everyone for standing up and defending America.

[SOCOM8721]

great grandfather, grandfather (ret), father (ret), myself (ret) and now my son (active) - Army.

[incommin]

My father spent 26 years serving in both the Army Air Corps and the USAF. One brother made a career of the Army. A second brother did 12 years in the USAF and a third brother was a career officer in the USAF. Every generation has had a soldier serving since Stonewall Jackson.

For all who have served, God bless ya!

Jim

[The Reaper]

When I was born, Civil War vets were still alive, my next door neighbor was a WW I vet, almost all of my grandfathers' brothers were WW II vets, and my Dad's friends were all Korean War vets (he just missed it and went to Germany). Vietnam was on the TV every day I can remember from age 7 till 17.

Some interesting numbers:

Last Living Veterans of America's Wars
American Revolution (1775–1783)
Last veteran, Daniel F. Bakeman, died 4/5/1869, age 109
Last widow, Catherine S. Damon, died 11/11/1906, age 92
Last dependent, Phoebe M. Palmeter, died 4/25/1911, age 90

War of 1812 (1812–1815)
Last veteran, Hiram Cronk, died 5/13/1905, age 105
Last widow, Carolina King, died 6/28/1936, age unknown
Last dependent, Esther A. H. Morgan, died 3/12/1946, age 89

Indian Wars (c. 1861–1898)
Last veteran, Fredrak Fraske, died 6/18/1973, age 101

Mexican War (1846–1848)
Last veteran, Owen Thomas Edgar, died 9/3/1929, age 98
Last widow, Lena James Theobald, died 6/20/1963, age 89
Last dependent, Jesse G. Bivens, died 11/1/1962, age 94

Civil War (1861–1865)
Last Union veteran, Albert Woolson, died 8/2/1956, age 109
Last Confederate veteran, John Salling*, died 3/16/1958, age 112

Spanish-American War (1898)
Last veteran, Nathan E. Cook, died 9/10/1992, age 106

I cannot believe that the widow of a Revolutionary War soldier was alive just a half-century before I was born, and the last Civil War widow is still alive today(perhaps more than one).

TR

[JGarcia]

Pats on the back all around, thanks.

[Surgicalcric]

Second generation soldier, first generation American. Father served from 1943-1975, as an Infantryman. He wanted me to be a doctor. Instead, I am a soldier like my father before me.

Thank you to my brothers that stood before me, stand with me today, and those that will stand for future generations after I am gone.

Crip

[RTK]

My Grandfather was in the Army Air Corps before WWII. They found out he was really Canadian and kicked him out. He married an American and tried to get back in when Pearl Harbor was bombed. They told him he was too old. He was 31.

I'm the only one since him. It's an honor and a privledge every day to put on the uniform and serve with those who believe in the Constitution, Freedom, and each other.

God bless you all.

[Gypsy]

God Bless all of you, and Happy Patriot's Day!

My grandfather and his brothers (all 8 of them) served either in the Army or the USMC from the early 1900's as second generation Americans. My dad fought in Korea, as a combat engineer, with Tropic Lightning.

My undying gratitude to all who have, and do...and will...wear the Uniform of our Armed Forces.

[jbour13]

I'm one of many that have served in my family. They all moved on better men and have made good lives for themselves. 10 years of fun and still going for me.

All of the uncles on my father's side have worn the uniform of one branch or another (there is 5 men on that side). All were in during the Vietnam era. Mother's side only had one of 4 serve, others were and are self-serving.

I Come from a rural community in Missouri, damn near every old timer was a WWII vet when I was growing up. Had some WWI vets in the mix. No person was too vocal of being a Vietnam Vet (less than a decader earlier). The WWII vets were the cornerstones and pillars in the towns I grew up in. Mayors, doctors, and good'ole boys that would fix any problem from a bad ignition in your car, to the pesky kids .

Not to steal Cric's post:

Thanks to all that have served first of all, those that currently serve, and for future generations that will walk in the footsteps of extraordinary men and women.

An extra thanks to those that stand beside us in what we fight for, you are my heroes.