THANK YOU, Veterans!

[NavetG8r]

Very proud of my Marine fight pilot dad. We'd go to air shows and whenever he'd see one of his planes he'd get a smile and a glint in his eye and say, "Imagine being a 20 year old kid flying one of those babies."

Decades later, I deployed several times with VMFA-312 after they transitioned to F/A-18s. We used to beg the Navy squadron guys to go OJT with the 312 Marines so they could learn how to build FLIR pods without destroying them in the process.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

It was a fun jump, from a Chinook.

those are fun jumps.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

Decades later, I deployed several times with VMFA-312 after they transitioned to F/A-18s. We used to beg the Navy squadron guys to go OJT with the 312 Marines so they could learn how to build FLIR pods without destroying them in the process.

:CrayonEaters:

 

[Gatordiddy]

Didn't see this thread. Posted this in the Pf but it should go here too.....

holy sh*t that was awesome... #crenshaw2024

 

[OllieGator]

Very proud of my Marine fight pilot dad. We'd go to air shows and whenever he'd see one of his planes he'd get a smile and a glint in his eye and say, "Imagine being a 20 year old kid flying one of those babies."

Man I love the F4U's. As a kid watched Black Sheep Squadron to just geek out over the planes.

 

[rogdochar]

Dear veterans:

From all of us, a strong -firm hug knowing all that you've sacrificed, including beloved buddies lost.

 

[OllieGator]

One of the best days of my life was going out on the last dependence cruise on the Forrestal. It was an amazing experience and I've always held the veterans in high regards for your service and sacrifice. My father was in the Korean war on P2V's. Thank you again guys for everything you do.

Also got to tour the Daniel Boone (boomer) which was really cool but no way in hell I could do that job. Do we have any submariners here?

 

[RiverRat]

Thank You CgGator for your service as well, I didn't make a career out of it but spent couple of years in Germany in the early 70's In the Army.
Had a brother who served in the Navy, my Father served in the Navy durning WW2, two Uncles that were Marines One fought in Europe during WW2 one fought on some smallI islands in the Pacific durning WW2 then later died in Germany after the war.

 

[BMF]

Didn't see this thread. Posted this in the Pf but it should go here too.....

Thanks for posting this. Dan Crenshaw is a true American hero.

@CGgater - you're another true American hero! The Master Chief Petty Officer is the pinnacle of the the enlisted ranks. I'm looking forward to having a few ice cold beers with you in Gainesville when you make your way back there (and, of course, I make my way back to Florida) and sharing sea stories!

@divits that's awesome about your father. I went to a lot of air shows w/ my career Navy father. My roommate at UF's father was a Marine Corps pilot (he got out after 13 years to become an airline pilot) - my roommate is now a Navy nurse (of all things), an O5 now and just returned from GTMO. My father was a "lowly" enlisted man - he was the oldest of 10 kids, from the hills of east Tennessee with an 8th grade education - he enlisted at 17, did 22 years and his last duty station was NAS Jax, where I was born. He died from lung cancer when I was 11 - from pulling asbestos out of ships (he was 47 when he died). The military has been a part of my life...my entire life!

Serving as a Navy Hospital Corpsman, Coast Guard Corpsman and officer was truly the privilege of a lifetime. Retiring from the military is a bittersweet moment and I will always look back fondly on the time I spent in the service.

 

[gatormandan]

Thank You CgGator for your service as well, I didn't make a career out of it but spent couple of years in Germany in the early 70's In the Army.
Had a brother who served in the Navy, my Father served in the Navy durning WW2, two Uncles that were Marines One fought in Europe during WW2 one fought on some smallI islands in the Pacific durning WW2 then later died in Germany after the war.

I was in Germany in 76 thru 79.

 

[BMF]

I was in Germany in 76 thru 79.

76? As a dependent child? I didn't realize you were "that" old!!

in 2012 & 2013 I took the MAC flights (Space A travel) from BWI into Ramstein w/ some buddies and we skied/snow boarded in the Alps. In 2013, we did 5 countries in 5 days.

 

[gatormandan]

76? As a dependent child? I didn't realize you were "that" old!!

in 2012 & 2013 I took the MAC flights (Space A travel) from BWI into Ramstein w/ some buddies and we skied/snow boarded in the Alps. In 2013, we did 5 countries in 5 days.

Im 62.

 

[BMF]

Im 62.

You got 12 years on me Dan! Did you take SS or are you waiting?

 

[gatormandan]

Since I have been battling stage 3-4 prostate cancer for a few years already I cant afford to wait. Nobody knows how long they will live so I say get it while you can. You paid it in your whole life.

 

[BMF]

Since I have been battling stage 3-4 prostate cancer for a few years already I cant afford to wait. Nobody knows how long they will live so I say get it while you can. You paid it in your whole life.

Ooof! Sorry to hear that Dan. I was just making a smartass comment about the SS (since you're at the earliest eligibility age). I'll say a prayer for you. I hope you win that battle!

 

[RiverRat]

I was in Germany in 76 thru 79.

Was stationed in Neu-Ulm from 74 thru 76.

 

[gatormandan]

Was stationed in Neu-Ulm from 74 thru 76.

I was in Kirch-Goens. Spent alot of time in Grafenvier (sp)

 

[OllieGator]

Since I have been battling stage 3-4 prostate cancer for a few years already I cant afford to wait. Nobody knows how long they will live so I say get it while you can. You paid it in your whole life.

**** cancer and keep fighting the good fight. I had a prostate biopsy not too long ago that came back good but I continue to worry about it symptom-wise. I'm very sorry that you're having to deal with this.

 

[RiverRat]

I was in Kirch-Goens. Spent alot of time in Grafenvier (sp)

Was there a couple of times. Never seen a place that could go from a mud bowl to dusty enough to choke a goat in a couple of days.

 

[gatormandan]

**** cancer and keep fighting the good fight. I had a prostate biopsy not too long ago that came back good but I continue to worry about it symptom-wise. I'm very sorry that you're having to deal with this.

Thanks. I did 45 radiation treatments that screwed me up. I also did 2 years of eligard injections which is a hormone treatment that made me have major hot flashes on a daily basis and I still have them a year and a half post treatment.