re: Veterans, what is your reply when some one thanks you? (today or anyday)

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If you can't see the difference between WWII and the wars and conflicts after it, I can't help you.

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It's not a dick measuring contest. And as a combat vet myself, i find it pretty pretentious of you to try and claim to know who is or isn't "deserving" of anything. I don't want or need your affirmation or thanks nor does any of my other fellow vets. But to totally disrespect all the veterans from Korea, Vietnam, First Gulf War (where I served and fought), Second Gulf War, and Afghanistan, not to mention places like Grenada, Panama, Somalia, and Lebanon by claiming to know what vets of this or that war "deserve" when you have never worn the uniform yourself? Well excuse me but IMO your opinion is bullshite.

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If you can't see the difference between WWII and the wars and conflicts after it, I can't help you.

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As this is Veterans' Day (not Memorial Day) - I'll limit my rebuttal to those still with us:

In action in North Korea, October 12, 1952, then US Army PFC Ernest E. West, of Russell, KY:

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Pfc. West distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. He voluntarily accompanied a contingent to locate and destroy a reported enemy outpost. Nearing the objective, the patrol was ambushed and suffered numerous casualties. Observing his wounded leader lying in an exposed position, Pfc. West ordered the troops to withdraw, then braved intense fire to reach and assist him. While attempting evacuation, he was attacked by 3 hostile soldiers employing grenades and small-arms fire. Quickly shifting his body to shelter the officer, he killed the assailants with his rifle, then carried the helpless man to safety. He was critically wounded and lost an eye in this action. but courageously returned through withering fire and bursting shells to assist the wounded. While evacuating 2 comrades, he closed with and killed 3 more of the foe. Pfc. West's indomitable spirit, consummate valor, and intrepid actions inspired all who observed him, reflect the highest credit on himself, and uphold the honored traditions of the military service.

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He currently lives in Wurtland, Kentucky.


In action in the Republic of Vietnam, March 11, 1970 then US Marine Gunnery Sergeant Allan J. Kellog of Bethel, CT:

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For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a platoon sergeant with Company G, in connection with combat operations against the enemy on the night of March 11, 1970. Under the leadership of G/Sgt. Kellogg, a small unit from Company G was evacuating a fallen comrade when the unit came under a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior enemy force occupying well-concealed emplacements in the surrounding jungle. During the ensuing fierce engagement, an enemy soldier managed to maneuver through the dense foliage to a position near the marines, and hurled a hand grenade into their midst which glanced off the chest of G/Sgt. Kellogg. Quick to act, he forced the grenade into the mud in which he was standing, threw himself over the lethal weapon and absorbed the full effects of its detonation with his body thereby preventing serious injury or possible death to several of his fellow Marines. Although suffering multiple injuries to his chest and his right shoulder and arm, G/Sgt. Kellogg resolutely continued to direct the efforts of his men until all were able to maneuver to the relative safety of the company perimeter. By his heroic and decisive action in risking his life to save the lives of his comrades, G/Sgt. Kellogg reflected the highest credit upon himself and upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.

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He currently resides in Hawaii.

And finally, in action in Afghanistan, on November 9, 2007, U.S. Army then Specialist Kyle J. White, of Seattle, WA:

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Specialist Kyle J. White distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a radio telephone operator with Company C, 2nd Battalion Airborne, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade during combat operations against an armed enemy in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on November 9, 2007.

On that day, Specialist White and his comrades were returning to Bella Outpost from a shura with Aranas village elders. As the soldiers traversed a narrow path surrounded by mountainous, rocky terrain, they were ambushed by enemy forces from elevated positions. Pinned against a steep mountain face, Specialist White and his fellow soldiers were completely exposed to enemy fire. Specialist White returned fire and was briefly knocked unconscious when a rocket-propelled grenade impacted near him.

When he regained consciousness, another round impacted near him, embedding small pieces of shrapnel in his face. Shaking off his wounds, Specialist White noticed one of his comrades lying wounded nearby. Without hesitation, Specialist White exposed himself to enemy fire in order to reach the soldier and provide medical aid.

After applying a tourniquet, Specialist White moved to an injured Marine, providing aid and comfort until the Marine succumbed to his wounds. Specialist White then returned to the soldier and discovered that he had been wounded again. Applying his own belt as an additional tourniquet, Specialist White was able to stem the flow of blood and save the soldier's life.

Noticing that his and the other soldiers' radios were inoperative, Specialist White exposed himself to enemy fire yet again in order to secure a radio from a deceased comrade. He then provided information and updates to friendly forces, allowing precision airstrikes to stifle the enemy's attack and ultimately permitting medical evacuation aircraft to rescue him, his fellow soldiers, Marines, and Afghan army soldiers.

Specialist Kyle J. White. Extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Company C, 2nd Battalion Airborne, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and the United States Army.

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He completed course work at UNC - Charlotte and works in investment analysis for the Royal Bank of Canada. He's 27, still has fragments in his face - and do the math, kind sir - that means he was 20 years old at the time of the above referenced events.

I would cite you some living examples of Congressional Medal of Honor recipients from Somalia and Iraq, but there are none. There are CMH recipients, but none have survived.


And there were THOUSANDS of such heroes in each of those conflicts.

So, GLT24 - I assume you didn't serve, sir. If you did, you've broken faith with your brothers and sisters in arms. If you haven't - yet choose to derogate the service of those who did (and many were draftees in Korea and Vietnam to be sure) - well, that says a lot more about you than it does about them.

G-d bless America.