My best to all the Veteran's and family of veteran's.

My father served in China in WW2, providing ground support for the 373rd Squadron of the 308th Bomb Group, which comprised 8 B-24s whose mission was to disrupt Japanese supply lines and destroy installations. Seven of their eight planes, and their crews - 70 brave aviators - did not survive the war.

I have his China scrapbook full of photos, and there they all are, posing in front of their planes - smiling, forever young, preparing to die so that we might live.

So thanks to all you Veterans out there, not just today but every day.

And thanks, Dad. Rest in peace.

Services are today for my sons ex-team mates who lost their lives fighting for our country last week at the ages of 21 and 22. They were best friends and will be having joint services together with full military honors.

Thanks to all of you who have served our country. ***kim***

Of all Veterans Day this one seems the most special.

My family has fought in every war we have had, starting with the Revolution War up to and including our current one.

They have served in every branch, The Marines, The Army, The Navy, The AirForce, The Merchant Marine.

And they all served the country well and with great honor.

We have had Generals. Lts. and down to the enlisted. My family has never shirked their duty. Even a WAC during WWII.

An Australian also, who was killed in Europe during WWI. I do wish I knew where he was buried, it is somewhere in Europe.

And this summer one family members son was killed in Iraq and another family members son had terrible injuries to his face and head in Iraq. And he is still there, he was told he could go home to Ft. Hood if he desired but he refused.

So in honor of all Veterans, past and current and also their families who also sacrifice so much, I salute you.

With a heart full of gratitude and love.

Amen!
M

My DH was active duty Navy for 17 years. Just 6 months ago his obligation ended, but he remains in the Reserves. Leaving his post was a difficult decision and he still struggles with whether the timing was right. I'm sure they'll call him if they need him.

FainaAgain,
Thanks for the link. I have been hoping to find such a link for some time so that I may contribute items such as the ones on the wish list to our military personnel serving overseas.

Pauley, I thought I may kill 2 birds in one shot: buy cookies from girlscouts (I try to stay away from cookies, sigh) and send them to soldiers

FlyFish please contact me!

My grandfather (tailgunner B-24) was in the 308th 373rd squadron from 1943-1944. I am interested to know if your scrapbook has his crew photo. I have been able to contact the co-pilot (passed away back in Jan 04) and the navigator (currently alive in AR) from his crew but they do not have any photos of the crew with their B-24J. They all bailed out south of the China border after a mission and were MIA for 8 days before returning to duty back in China. They broguht their plane (serial # 42-72836) from the US and it had not been named and had no nose art when they went out on mission and had to bail out. Thanks for any help you can provide; I have been looking for info about him and his crew since 2001.

follow up post from my previous message. Please check out the link below and you can get the entire story of my grandfather's crew and their bailout from the perspective of their navigator, Douglas. Thanks

http://www.angelfire.com/fl3/flyingt...yingtiger.html

my father served in the Army during the Korean conflict, but instead of being shipped overseas he was sent to New Mexico to observe nuclear explosions. Later in life we jokingly referred to him at the "nuclear guinnea pig." Thanks to all.