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Current mililtary or veteran family members or friends

post #1 of 34
Thread Starter 
I'm sure there are plenty of people on this board that have personally served and/or are serving or have had close friends or family in the same position. Can I ask what their position on this conflict is and maybe some background on them? I'm not really interested in a debate topic (Devin) but just opinions and stories from perhaps a different perspective than a majority of us who watch from the comfort of our living rooms.

Personally, I did not serve. My Dad was an officer in the Army stationed out of San Antonio but fulfilled his obligation about one year prior to things heating up in Vietnam. He is decidedly conservative and, no stretch of the imagination here, Pro-War (if that is what you would like to call it). He believes Bush is not the sharpest knife in the drawer but is confident in those that surround him and believes the removal of Saddam and others like him, to be a necessary evil.

My Grandfather in-law was wounded at Pearl Harbor. Apparently, after a hard night of drinking the attack occurred and he drove the only two pilots to intially get off of the ground to the airfield. On the way, his car was shot up by a Japanese plane and he took some shrap in the head and they ended up in a pineapple field. Unconcious, he woke up because is cigarrete had fallen out of his mouth and began to burn him. From what I understand, this scene or some of it is portrayed in the film TORA, TORA, TORA but I'm not totally positive. After WW2, he continued his involvement and served in the Korean War and was wounded again in the Battle of Chosin. He's much more open to discuss WW2 than the latter as many of you military historians might understand. Needless to say, he is one tough SOB but also the nicest man I have probably ever met. No suprise that he backs the military and the CIF. He'd probably go if they would let him.

Anyway, just an aside from the typical debates/discussion here so partake if you like.
post #2 of 34
My brother-in-law (wife's younger brother) is an F-15 pilot and is over there as I type this.
post #3 of 34
This probably should go in the Chewers forum.
post #4 of 34
In that case, the best of luck to him and a speedy return.

My wish is that Bush and Blair withdraw the troops and resign. Upon hearing this news, Saddam, his sons and senior aides spontaneously self-combust and their remains turn into candy and sugar flakes that rain on Iraqi children.

Alas, there's not a big chance of this happening.
post #5 of 34
I don't know. That's a toss-up, Dev. Afterall, if someone has a family member who is ACTUALLY in involved in this conflict (ie, with something DIRECTLY to lose) shouldn't that be relevant to the overall discussion?
post #6 of 34
Quote:
Carl Cunningham®:
I don't know. That's a toss-up, Dev. Afterall, if someone has a family member who is ACTUALLY in involved in this conflict (ie, with something DIRECTLY to lose) shouldn't that be relevant to the overall discussion?
It's not political.
post #7 of 34
My dad made bombs. There.

Also, on an off note, my friends husband is a marine serving with the (something something) and we just found out that contrary to popular belief, he is not "safely" in a tank. He's roving with a Humvee. Woo.
post #8 of 34
Quote:
prala:
My dad made bombs. There.
Wow. prala's dad is the FOAB.
post #9 of 34
Something like that.

But, you know, he doesn't do that NOW.
post #10 of 34
My Father-in-law was a paratrooper in the Korean war (51-53, I think) and served for 30+ years. As far as I can tell he isn't happy about the whole thing but stands behind the troops no matter what, as I assume most soldiers would. He always looks pretty heartbroken when they show the troops on TV and I am guess that it just brings back lots of memories for him.

So overall I would say he is sad but supportive (of the soldiers, not really the Government).

post #11 of 34
My grandfather served in Africa in WW2, and my wife's cousin is a US Marine, and has been called up for Gulf duty.
post #12 of 34
I come from a long line of people who served in the military, dating back to the Revolution, but I don't have any family members currently serving that I'm aware of (I come from a rather large family, so I might have nephews or nieces or cousins serving that I don't know about). I myself did my tour of duty years ago, and only have a few friends and acquaintances still serving in the Navy. They are in the Gulf as we speak.
post #13 of 34
Quote:
prala:
Something like that.

But, you know, he doesn't do that NOW.
Damn negligent fathers. Leaving the MOAB to fend for herself to care for their tiny, innocent warheads.
post #14 of 34
My grandfather served in World War II as a stretcher bearer. He got shot in the ass. Yes, it does happen.

One cousin of mine is a communications engineer. I haven't a clue where he's stationed.

My girlfriend's brother is, essentially, a drill sergeant.

An old friend's husband is a medic, stationed here in Edmonton.

At the aforementioned old friend's wedding, I tied cans to cars and whatnot with a friend of this medic. He's not an acquaintance anymore though. He's dead. He was killed when an American pilot disobeyed orders and opened fire on Canadian troops. Doesn't that just suck?
post #15 of 34
So many threads, so little time. Just found this one.

-My father and one Uncle was in WWII (yes, my parents had me in their older years)
-two Uncles were in the Korean war
-two brothers in Vietnam war
-2 cousins in Gulf War I
-one cousin currently serving in South Korea (last we heard that is)
post #16 of 34
My father-in-law was a navigator on a B-52 during Vietnam. He was killed on one of the final raids on the railyards in Hanoi.

My wife was born 6 months later.
post #17 of 34
Well, three of my great-uncles served in peacetime - my uncle Roger was in the Navy, and my uncle Jim was in the Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis. My uncle Bobby retired from the USAF, and his two sons served in the Air Force as well.

One of my best friends was an electrician in the Air Force, and his brother-in-law is an Army captain (or maybe USAF, I forget) who is involved in military planning (i.e., he was figuring out how to wage war on Iraq).

And I have a 2nd cousin and a 1st cousin who are out in the shit right now - my cousin Louis is on a carrier in the Far East keeping an eye on N Korea, and my cousin Matt is in the Gulf with the 101st Airborne, 3rd Brigade - he is fueling the Apache choppers.

I almost went into the Navy as a Nuke (Nuclear engineer - I had a really high score on my ASVAB test), but decided the minimal discipline and heavy drinking of a state college was more my speed. wink
post #18 of 34
My mom's brother (or maybe half brother) was killed in the Marshall Islands in WWII. My mom was born about 12 years later.

My grandfather was a paratrooper. I think he served in Korea.

My cousin was in the Navy during the first Gulf War. I think he was one of the people that waves the flags on the decks of aircraft carriers. He isn't in the current war.

A different cousin who is my age joined the Navy right after high school. He was stationed in Pearl Harbor for a while and I think he's on a ship in the Persian Gulf right now. I'm not sure which one.
post #19 of 34
My Grandfather on my mom's side served in WWII in N. Africa. Was eventually captured by Erwin Rommel and spent over 2 years in a camp just outside of Berlin.

My Grandfather on my dad's side served in the Navy and fought during Korea.

My mom's oldest brother fought in Vietnam.

My father was in the Navy during Vietnam.

I thought about going to Annapolis out of high school, but wisely changed my mind.
post #20 of 34
I served in Desert Shield/Storm! I hesitate to get involved in discussions like this with people I don't know because I am about as Red-Blooded American as you can get and I am very, very proud to have served and I am proud of the men and women who served in previous times as well as the present. There's only one thought I have and that is Saddam is commiting genocide and wants to start a nuclear war so he must, MUST, be removed. I'm not a warmonger I am for diplomacy and democracy. As the only superpower in the world I feel it is our duty as Americans to not turn a blind eye to a people in need. I must say though that the French can bite me! Next time someone wants to take over Paris go for it! Please! Anyway, I could go on and on with documented reasons as to why this war is a must but I won't. One thing is certain, there is absolutely nothing that pisses me off more than an ignorant war protester using the argument that American servicemen are scared and shouldn't die in a foriegn land. During Desert Storm I personally never came across any servicemember who did not want to be there. When you join the military it's more than a free ride to college and everyone that signs on the dotted line is well aware of that and is aware that democracy never comes without sacrifice no matter where that is.
post #21 of 34
Thread Starter 
Floyd, you are a man among men. Alas, my patriotic fervor has come along too late in my life to make the sacrifices you did but I can still do what I can to "fight the good fight". Much respect to you.
post #22 of 34
Thanks Darwin and just that attitude you have alone is a great service!
post #23 of 34
I don't want to belittle Floydian's post in any way, but I can guarantee you that there are plenty of servicemen and women who don't want to be in Iraq right now.

Don't confuse their willingness and ability to do their jobs professionally with a zeal to oust Saddam, because they are not necessarily the same thing.
post #24 of 34
Thread Starter 
I might beg to differ. You would be hard pressed to find the zeal to kill and destroy the Iraqi people but my guess is you would be equally as hard pressed to find servicemen & women that did not want to oust Saddam and believe in what they are doing. Unfortunately, doing their job willingly and professionally most likely entails just that-killing people. My opinion is such Jacob, that I stand behind those that are doing the fighting because all in all, they're there so we, you and I, don't have to be. Treat it as a trite expression if you want, but it makes it no less true to me. No debate and not taking anything way from how you feel, just my thoughts. Frankly, I don't have a big pool of friends over there to ask and likewise come to an "informed" conclusion so it's just really a perception anyway. Anywho...
post #25 of 34
This is precisely why I don't like discussing this stuff with people I don't know! Jacob, I really don't know where you're coming from perspective-wise but I can assure you that being in the U.S. military is all about what's going on in Iraq. It's easy for people to disuss the politics of it all here but over there noone is thinking about it. When you get there you are doing your duty and it all boils down to doing what you can to make sure your fellow comrades-in-arms make it home. That's about all there is to it. Politics, religion, it all goes out the window and the constant training that you go through is all you focus on. You become one single force, a single entity with one objective that is given by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Questioning that and talking against that is against everything that is at the core of the military and quite frankly smacks of treason. Say what you will Jacob and buy into whatever media it is that your perception is based on but at least pick up a couple of books before you speak out on something you know nothing about! Go to the book store and pick up a book called 'Jarhead', which just came out and is one Marines memoirs on his experiences in Desert Storm.
post #26 of 34
If you have family there do you have one of <a href="http://www.glennbeck.com/news/03-28-03/bluestartban_811.pdf" target="_blank">these</a> in your window?
post #27 of 34
Floydian, I served four years in the U.S. Navy, including two Med tours.
post #28 of 34
Well then I just don't understand where you're coming from. I'm not offended, don't get me wrong it's just with everything going on right now it's disheartening to see the young kids so diluded about things.
post #29 of 34
Quote:
Jacob Singer:
Floydian, I served four years in the U.S. Navy, including two Med tours.
Mediterranean or Club?
post #30 of 34
Let's not allow this thread to degrade into a political argument or anything...please?

It's all about Chewers' families here.

post #31 of 34
I guess the point I was trying to make is that we probably shouldn't make broad generalizations about any groups of people, even those who have been trained to behave a certain way.

I support the troops as much, if not more than, anyone, but I also know there are guys over there who are 'short' and would like to get the hell out of there in one piece. Just as I'm sure there are guys who'd like to personally put a bullet in Hussein's head.

We do them a disservice to paint them all with one brush, even if it is red, white and blue.
post #32 of 34
Quote:
Blank Kronos, Big Time TV:
Let's not allow this thread to degrade into a political argument or anything...please?

It's all about Chewers' families here.
Good point as well. Didn't mean to derail.
post #33 of 34
My father served in the Army in the late fifties, early sixties in Germany doing computer-work on the systems that launched NIKE missiles.

My grandfather [his father-in-law] built warplanes for LTV/Vought in Dallas from 1940-1985. He built on the prop-driven Vought F4U Corsair and then later on the jet version, the A-7 Corsair II.

post #34 of 34
Thread Starter 
Quote:
... they're there so we, you and I, don't have to be.
Make that they're there so "I" don't have to be. Excuse the assumption on my part Jacob and good for you. At least you and Floyd can speak from experience.

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