Posted on 10/21/2009 13:11:16
Well Brothers and Sisters, the 21st Century has finally caught up with me and I can no longer afford the monthly cost of the internet, so I am signing off the forum for my final time. I deeply regret having to do so, but the family budget comes first.
In closing I want to state, I didn't always see the same issues the way others did here, but there was never one minute that I did not like every one of you. I always had your 6 and I know you had mine. You are all a national treasure and each of you held the line and still do so for our country.
I'll have to follow the progrees of the Medal, as best as I can.
In closing, may your savior always have your 6 and I want all to know, even if we never get the Medal, the greatest honor I have had in my life was a period of time that I was honored and priviledged to wear my nations uniform in defense of Her. I have come to know that there are some things in life and death that endure. Serving my country in a perilous time has been an honor, never to be taken away from me.
The very best to all.
Protectae Venimus
Blazing Skies
jim811s
Posted on 10/21/2009 12:54:59
Paul, I Salute You and The Great State of Texas!
jim811
Posted on 10/20/2009 21:28:53
LGEV: thanks for being a Brother.
jim811
Posted on 10/20/2009 16:54:55
Scott, I don't get the VFW Magazine. Generally, what do the 4 articles state?
jim811
Posted on 10/20/2009 16:48:21
Rodevito My Friend, I'm going to keep on trying until I dig the last trench. If nothing else, that I do know how to do.
How about you, brother.
jim811
Posted on 10/20/2009 12:39:22
Steviefaslane: I thank you for your post and honor your feelings. We can all take comfort in the belief, there will always be men and women of good intentions to make the sacrifice that is required in the face of aggression and those who would endenture the world to a world without freedom and liberty. This we can all do for oneanother. PNV and Cannon Cocker each know full well as we all do what our duty was and what it meant when carried out and it would have been carried out.
jim811
Posted on 10/20/2009 11:57:56
belknap: A good place to start might be with the 3rd Armored Webpage, Call Me Spearhead. Look it up, it shows KIA and wounded for the 3rd 1941 thru 1992. There is much info/intel out there on the web. Bringing it together is a lot of work.
jim811
Posted on 10/20/2009 11:42:41
Follow up: I have further read that the Alpha Troops are being awarded the Presidential Unit Citation by the president for their actions in rescuing a trapped and surrounded infantry company in the Vietnam War. I am personally happy for these guys, they waited for a very long time to be honored (kind of like us , I guess).
I have often wondered why it takes so long in some cases for our troops to be properly recognized, then honored for their service, when their actions were and would have been more clearly understood at the time of the action by those in authority to properly recognize and honor what they did.
I have always been intrigued by the word "WHY", because understanding that word's implications can acquaint one with the reality of events. Perhaps it's the Fog of Battle and confusion or perceived more important issues at the time, I don't know. What I do know is some are honored for their service and some like us are not, rather we are relegated to anonymity and must pursue our elected officials for honor which it seems only they can bestow, if they are willing.
By all accounts, the Cold War ended in 1991 and for the better part it was not understood during it's tenure, much less understood subsequent to it's ending. It appears through the efforts of our board and all, that only we understand what we did and therein for us we find our mutual brotherhood/sisterhood and honor.
The only thing we ever wanted for ourselves was to be recognized as part of the national team and the realization that yes, we too held the line for almost 50 years when the world was on the brink of annihilation.
If our nation through it elected and appointed leadership does not understand that, then we are lost and a Cold War Victory or Cold War Service Medal will never be awarded to us who served.
The issues and arguments about cost, duplication and/or "you did not do anything" to receive such an award are without foundation and is insulting to the national Psyche not withstanding the reality of documented events of that time in which we all served, HONORABLY.
And so it is, will the nation through it's elected and appointed officials finally do the right thing and make good the reality of the Cold Warrior or will they keep us hidden from view, rationalizing any number of reasons why we are not deserving. WHY.
jim811
Posted on 10/20/2009 09:36:35
Saw a news report this AM wherein it states that, the president will honor Alpha Troops today for their Vietnam Service. Did not see what the honor is, maybe some of you know about this?
jim811
Posted on 10/20/2009 09:32:33
Well, it's been a little over a month since the QA Period closed. Has anyone heard of anything on our question asked?
jim811
Posted on 10/16/2009 10:19:45
I just read an article wherein SoS Hillery Clinton told a crowd in Moscow, that some US and Russian officials were still stuck in the Cold War, after it has been over some two decades. Did she confirm to them, that yes, there really was a Cold War. Well I'll be damned. I do not agree with her politics, but I do like her swager.
jim811
Posted on 10/16/2009 09:19:11
Burl, does this mean the cards go back in and/or were they really ever taken out??
jim811
Posted on 10/16/2009 09:11:59
To George: Well George, it's a case of following the money exchange, isn't it. They're ass deep in our paper and want concessions to continue to be so; and apparently the decision makers feel obliged, without regard of sovereignty or the US Constitution. You know why the Cold Warrior is reviled and dismissed as irrelevant; here's why, we're too damned intelligent for them and we do know what we stand for; then and now.
jim811
Posted on 10/14/2009 14:30:20
Jerry, I Thank You for this letter, it could not be stated better and I most assuredly Thank You for all you are doing for us.
jim811
Posted on 10/09/2009 08:32:44
Jerry, sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well, two hernia's..........ouch, but glad to know you're getting them taken care of. Buck up brother, you're in good hands and
we all have your six.
jim811
Posted on 10/08/2009 14:23:38
Yeah, since the question poll was ended, I believe on 16 Sept 2009, seems like we should be close to seeing a response. Any thoughts, anyone?
jim811
Posted on 10/05/2009 07:01:27
C_C, Thank You for what your doing, makes no difference; gun or missile artillery.........always first to fire.
jim811
Posted on 10/05/2009 06:58:34
Glen, my old 20 & 12 site has been a state park for several years, whats left of the magazines are still there and only the concrete footings for the HPAR remain in what was the IFC. The Herc's and the F101 Voodoos in the photos are still pretty cool to look at, affirmative.
jim811
Posted on 10/03/2009 19:27:52
Scott thank you and Rep. Israel for what you are doing. The photos in your post above brings back many memories. I remember, bet others do too.
jim811
Posted on 09/19/2009 12:08:38
I agree with Joe, we have been fighting for a Cold War Victory Medal for years, but I do understand the feelings, desires and needs for many of us to be appropriately awarded for our service. Simply put we all should be decorated, we earned the right. Every time I look at my "Cold War Certificate", which is inclusive of civilian service during that period, I become bothered by it, because to me it will never justify our service and dedication to duty; and worse yet in my opinion, that certificate treads on the HONOR of those who gave all of everything they were or could ever be in service to our country.
So, I do hope we will stay our course, hold the line, not waiver and continue our long, long quest for proper recognition of the CWVM. Further, I am of the opinion, in some political circles, an award of the CWVM may be perceived as "politically incorrect", but you see, I don't care what a particular country might think or might not think, like all of you WE SERVED OUR NATION, SOME OF US DIED FOR OUR NATION during the Cold War Period and they and we held the line. Please brothers and sisters, keep the faith and faith will serve us well. Our battle is long and sometimes hard, but some day we will get the MEDAL for them.
jim811
