Defenders

[Guest SharleahLynn]

We each had a desire to stand up and defend our country. We did so with pride and the thoughts of actually gaining respect from those who could not because of age or medical reasons. We served our positions with honor and dignity. Those of us that served and did not have the chance to go to battle were in some ways fortunate. There are those that were in battle and returned with limbs missing or their thought process screwed up that do not receive proper thanks for their sacrifice. Then their are those that never received the opportunity to make it back home to their loved ones, what about them , they made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of the rest of us. They are our true heros, never to be given a second thought by many. Those many men and women will always have my thanks , and their families shall have my gratitude and blessings till the last breath leaves my body. I salute them one and all

Peace , Love , Hugs , and Kisses

SharleahLynn

Sorry about my rambling but had to get this off my chest. When I saw this thread , it took me a bit to get my words right. Thanks for lending an ear.

[Guest Jenny]

hear, hear well said. Thinking of the soldiers that have fallen before me and the ones to follow, makes my heart deepen with sorrow.

[Guest SharleahLynn]

hear, hear well said. Thinking of the soldiers that have fallen before me and the ones to follow, makes my heart deepen with sorrow.

I just speak from the heart as a vet myself.

SharleahLynn

[Guest Jenny]

I am still serving but I still could not have said it better

[Guest SharleahLynn]

I am still serving but I still could not have said it better

You might could have , but there comes a time in everyones life where the heart can and does speak clearer than the brain when a matter of such magnitude erupts and the inner most feelings spill out . The world then experiences what gratitude and total respect is. Peace , Love , Hugs , and Kisses

SharleahLynn

Where are all our Veterans hiding ?

[Guest SharleahLynn]

Come on People, where is the pride? This thread is not confined to juat America, it is intended to reach around the world as a whole. A veteran is a veteran. I don't care where you come from, If a person joined the military in the defense of where they are from , then this place is for you as well. Come on , stand up and be counted. You are all respected for doing your part .

SharleahLynn

[Guest SharleahLynn]

Tis a sad day when the veterans of the armed forces fear standing up and lending their thoughts and feelings on their tour of duty for the freedom we all hold so near and dear to our hearts. Ya'll have nothing to fear but fear itself. Come on and be counted as you deserve the recognition of a job well done , and to remember the ones who gave the ultimate. What does it hurt to give credit where credit is due ?you joined and served, be very proud of that. For all my brother and sisters in arms , I salute you all.

SharleahLynn

[Guest CatherineG]

Tis a sad day when the veterans of the armed forces fear standing up and lending their thoughts and feelings on their tour of duty for the freedom we all hold so near and dear to our hearts. Ya'll have nothing to fear but fear itself. Come on and be counted as you deserve the recognition of a job well done , and to remember the ones who gave the ultimate. What does it hurt to give credit where credit is due ?you joined and served, be very proud of that. For all my brother and sisters in arms , I salute you all.

SharleahLynn

Stand up and be counted....well I think I'll curtsy instead. Fits my new lifestyle better! All the fear of being discovered while I was active duty has now turned to pride of my service. To all of you (as we jarheads) say "Semper Fidelis"

CatherineG USMC Retired

[Guest SharleahLynn]

CatherineG , a curtsey will do nicely. Where and when did you serve hon? SharleahLynn

[Guest ricky]

I was drafted in 1966. Did my time served my country got home was spit at called a killer, even though I didn't go to Nam. My heart goes out to all who served, especially those killed and wounded while serving. The thought of all those young people who will never have a chance to grow old to see loved ones again. And those loved ones who will never see there loved one again. Some how I think those who never served will never know what we feel, and because I didn't see combat I wont completely know how they feel. It probably sounds strange, but I hated the service but am proud I served.

[Guest lydia]

Well said Ladies,I dont post often but I am there reading and for the most part agreeing. The sad event of the funeral of that young Marine being protested, well brought back memories of the middle 1960s. Have so many forgotten he was sent to do a job by his country and paid the price for it,my heart hurts for all those who wear the uniform and have been abused by some ungrateful people. I know it hurt me. That being said many of us the often quite ones.support and salute them. Well Done to all who have served and continue to serve. Love to All, Lydia

[Guest SharleahLynn]

There is no greater price one can pay than to join the Armed Forces , go to a battle front , fight against many unknown people , return home and be looked at as a murderer or even spit on , and after all that, still be able to stand up and say with pride: Yes, I joined , I went , I killed , I did my part to make certain your butt remains free, so here, do it again if it makes you a bigger person than I . And as for the gallant ones who will never return home, they made the ultimate sacrifice.Paid the ultimate price. They paid for everyones freedom with their lives. Do the spitters want to spit on them as well?Do these same ungreatfull persons wish to call them murderers as well? I myself am a vet and dammed proud of that fact. To the haters and spitters of this world, I say unto you: WAKE UP AND GIVE THANKS TO A VETERAN FOR KEEPING YOU A FREE INDIVIDUAL

It is time for you to praise the men and women in uniform for keeping you safe and free.

Ask yourself this. Where would I be if these people didn't go and keep this a free nation? I am sorry I never went overseas, I would have laid down my life so others would remain free. To me, that is a tiny price to pay. It is time to open your eyes America and see your military personell for the heroic job they did and show some damm respect. Be proud of a Veteran and show some love and appreciation. Like it or not , we are human as you all are. Think on that.

SharleahLynn

I salute all veterans everywhere

[Guest SharleahLynn]

I cannot believe this, You Veterans joined the different branches of the military and are afraid to come here and share the fact you were there.Be proud of the fact that you were in the military. I sometimes say in the chat room that we are the Elite of the human race, but the Trans Veterans are the Elite of the Elite.... Ya'll get off your butts and be counted. Be proud that you served, is it because you did not go into a battle that you fear posting? LISTEN UP!!! I did not go to any battles, I was thrown stateside my whole time, I begged the Army to send me to Nam, they refused, said I was crazy for wanting to go there. But that does not make me no less a Vet than someone that saw battle. A Veteran is a Veteran , regardless of how they served. Think about that people.

............................... SharleahLynn

[Guest SharleahLynn]

OK, this is getting embarressing to have to beg the Veterans to come out of hiding and speak up here. I hereby challenge any Veteran who has not told us anything to make theirself known to GET OFF THEIR DEAD donkey AND TELL US something. Stop the hiding , stand up and be counted . Be proud of the fact that you stepped up and went to bat for those who could not , and those that were to damm chicken to do as we the Veterans did. We joined , we served , alot of us went to combat zones. Some did not return, but those of us who DID come back, need to speak for the ones who cannot say their piece ever again. Think about that while you hiding your sevice to our country. SharleahLynn

[Guest Donna Jean]

Hey, SharleahLynn...

I DID post here, but, I was dissolved during the great vaporization of posts Nov.3-11.

So, quit taunting me!

I was US Air Force loadmaster crewman C-130 and C-141......Got my senior trip in C-130's in Viet Nam in 1969-70. Got back with my butt in one piece, but, my head in many....

So thanks for asking us here...Must say..I'm way different from way back then....Still love airplanes, though!

Thanks, Dear!

Peace,

Donna Jean

[Guest Karen-1954]

I was in the Army back in 71 & 72 with the 1rst Cav. ( 5th regiment) One of my worst memories was when we got stateside at LAX, we were pelted with eggs and spit upon. I am so glad that we as a country have evolved beyond that and can now welcome our troops back home with love and respect.

[Guest Donna Jean]

Gee, Karen....makes me so sad, but, maybe we ARE better than that now...

I was there, too, Sweetie....

Welcome home........

Love

Donna Jean

[Sally]

I was never in the militwry, I spent the end of the Viet-Nam war in college (started in 1969) with an open ulcer. I wouldn't have been accepted if called, but I do so admire those who did answer the call and the ones who volunteered. In America we all owe you so much more than we can ever repay. When cynics look at the motivations of war (money and power) they tend to forget that someone has to stop this kind of aggression. We can stand around waving signs that say "Make love not war" and "Draft beer not students" only because so many took up arms to protect our rights to protest them!

Veterans should never be ignored and certainly never insulted - I can never look down on anyone who stood up for their beliefs. When you enter the military in the time of war you are putting your life on the line for your beliefs - God bless and protect all of the youn men and women in our services today. You are the reason that we can all get up and go to work each day and have the right to vote for or leaders.

I will give that curtsey to each and all, those who made it back and the ones who didn't.

Love, hugs and someday peace,

Sally

[Guest Kelly Ann]

in all in all it boils down to ...serve with honor for the duty of your country...and if not 'there' preserve the honor and dignity of those that do.

and ladies....I lift my veil to you, wipr the tear and smile with a wry rememberance of those I knew and cared for way back....I'm 56 so I know whereof you speakeath...was to be abducted if the draft came up, to relatives in Canada (eh?)...it stopped 2 #'s b4 mine so I was spared that, I still have my 'card'. Went with Dad to register and the Gunny at the USMC post who said he'd fake my enrollment by a couple of days prior if necessary when I asked if I did get drafted...would he? I so wanted to be like Dad...I KNOW what I want, crazy as it is at times...my dad took me to the VFW Post nearby and we got totally wasted, I was 17...'of age' was 18 in Michigan at the time. Pop's KNEW we wouldn't win that war as he was in Korea for BOTH landings and came back from Chosin too...he was/is MY HERO ALWAYS and I love him sooo much...and he was so understanding today. What a MAN. Thank-You all so much from the very bottom to the very top of my heart, without you all we are NOTHING as a country or a possibility as humanity. God bless you sll, Kelly Ann

[Guest Donna Jean]

in all in all it boils down to ...serve with honor for the duty of your country...and if not 'there' preserve the honor and dignity of those that do.

and ladies....I lift my veil to you, wipr the tear and smile with a wry rememberance of those I knew and cared for way back....I'm 56 so I know whereof you speakeath...was to be abducted if the draft came up, to relatives in Canada (eh?)...it stopped 2 #'s b4 mine so I was spared that, I still have my 'card'. Went with Dad to register and the Gunny at the USMC post who said he'd fake my enrollment by a couple of days prior if necessary when I asked if I did get drafted...would he? I so wanted to be like Dad...I KNOW what I want, crazy as it is at times...my dad took me to the VFW Post nearby and we got totally wasted, I was 17...'of age' was 18 in Michigan at the time. Pop's KNEW we wouldn't win that war as he was in Korea for BOTH landings and came back from Chosin too...he was/is MY HERO ALWAYS and I love him sooo much...and he was so understanding today. What a MAN. Thank-You all so much from the very bottom to the very top of my heart, without you all we are NOTHING as a country or a possibility as humanity. God bless you sll, Kelly Ann

Gee, Kelly Ann...that was moving....Thanks for the concern for those of us who were in the mix.

Glad to be alive and glad to be me....

OMG! If Major Sellers could see me now....."Airman! Close those doors..we're taking off...and loose the heels..they'll poke holes in the floor!"

And you guys that didn't make it back...

I still love you all.....

Donna Jean

[Guest brain(katie)]

Proud to have served and why are we hiding? We should be proud of who we are. Gays get to serve so why is it such a crime that we are having to hide that we feel more comfortable in the other sexes clothing. Nothing wrong with it you ask me. I have been sitting here at work thinking about being TG. I just came out after halloween after dressing as a hooker. It stirred up all those feelings i have suppresed since i was a child of 3-4 years old. I have always been on the fem side however my looks are very masc. I really dont think there is anything wrong with any of us. Its who we are. I dont think a pshc Dr can really do anything but help guid us along our journey.

I havent started anything yet hormones or counseling. I am looking forward to talking to a Dr on how I feel. I so want my fem side out. Its just hard because I love my wife so much and she feels very confused about this. I try to reasure her it has nothing to do with my sexual pref. I am just a woman inside a mans body that is all.

If anyone out there wants to talk I am up for talking. I really need some friends in the Denver Metro area that are going threw this or have gone threw this. I feel like everyone around me does not understand the struggle I am going threw. I have moved out of my house into an appartment. My son now is moving back to Cali with his mother because my living arangement changed and my two oldest now dont want anything to do woth me. Its just hard to realize that these feelings are very real. I find myself doing as much research on the subject and shopping more and more for womans clothing and shoes. I want to know what works for breast enhancement the best. What for hair removal and all that. HELP

Ok i got of track sorry. Proud to have served with everyone no matter what sex or sexual orientation you are

US Navy 90-2003

[Guest Donna Jean]

Hey, Katie!

Welcome to Laura's and thanks for posting in the vets forum! I must say that having been in the military and percieved as male (and totally NOT feeling that way) and now being on the other side of the fence makes us some of the VERY few individuals in the world with this kind of experience! Yes, if some of our friends could see us now! I see that you're ex-Navy...I'm ex Air Force..many Army and Marines here, too.

Have fun, Katie...

Donna Jean

[Guest Karen-1954]

Welcome to the forums, I am ex Army, 1rst Cav

[Guest SharleahLynn]

Welcome to the forums, I am ex Army, 1rst Cav

I had no idea you was 1st Cav. I was 1st Air Cav. I served at Ft. Hood , Texas .

SharleahLynn

[Guest Chloe the other one]

I am active duty Coast Guard. I believe that oneday we will be accepted or at least tolerated to serve and be true to ourselves.

Chloe

Oh yea this is my first post so. Hi ladies.