THANK YOU, Veterans!

gatormandan

Are we back yet?
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Oct 15, 2014
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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.

I spent 45 days at a time in that dust bowl and many times the only shower I got was out of a farmers cow trough.
 

Concrete Helmet

Hook, Line, and Sinker
Lifetime Member
Jul 29, 2014
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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.
Never knew that about you...Now I feel bad for all the times I made fun of you for being old. Good luck with the treatments .....oh and thanks for your service.
 

Concrete Helmet

Hook, Line, and Sinker
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Jul 29, 2014
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Thanks to all the great members here for your service.....as sh!tty and uncertain as this entire year has been it's nice to know that we Americans have the most dedicated, loyal and highly trained armed forces on the planet...you guys are the best. :drunk:
 

gatormandan

Are we back yet?
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Oct 15, 2014
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In that case.....

FIFY :lol2:

But I am still getting around...

th
 

Cozumel Gator

Living in paradise, streaming all games
Lifetime Member
Jun 3, 2016
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No need to thank us. You paid for my college education at UF since I went through the ROTC program. It does piss me off when people complain about education costs. If they would do the military or peace corps they would not have the debt.
 

CGgater

Gainesville Native
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Jul 30, 2014
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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.
@BMF, sorry I'm a little slow to reply... THANKS and back atcha! I don't typically make many glowing comments about officers, but mustangs probably keep the wardroom from becoming completely ridiculous. Plus, as a LCDR, I'll bet you handled a ton of dirty work, only to have some CDR or CAPT take all the credit! Throw in (if memory hasn't failed me) deployments over in the sandbox and you have certainly earned our gratitude!

Congrats again on your recent and well-deserved retirement! I definitely look forward to swapping sea stories in Gainesville next year. Just be warned that my sea stories are probably not as entertaining as you might think - the one major drawback to clean living.
 

BMF

Bad Mother....
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Sep 8, 2014
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@BMF, sorry I'm a little slow to reply... THANKS and back atcha! I don't typically make many glowing comments about officers, but mustangs probably keep the wardroom from becoming completely ridiculous. Plus, as a LCDR, I'll bet you handled a ton of dirty work, only to have some CDR or CAPT take all the credit! Throw in (if memory hasn't failed me) deployments over in the sandbox and you have certainly earned our gratitude!

Congrats again on your recent and well-deserved retirement! I definitely look forward to swapping sea stories in Gainesville next year. Just be warned that my sea stories are probably not as entertaining as you might think - the one major drawback to clean living.

As a junior officer, being older (a mustang), I never felt like I was ever "in charge". I was an office chief a couple of times and had 15+ people working for me (Sector Baltimore), but I was never a CO or XO.

I've got some stupid sea stories, mostly from my Navy enlisted time...so I'll make up for your clean living!! :)

PS do you drink beer or whiskey?
 

CGgater

Gainesville Native
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Jul 30, 2014
10,129
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As a junior officer, being older (a mustang), I never felt like I was ever "in charge". I was an office chief a couple of times and had 15+ people working for me (Sector Baltimore), but I was never a CO or XO.

I've got some stupid sea stories, mostly from my Navy enlisted time...so I'll make up for your clean living!! :)

PS do you drink beer or whiskey?
Neither, which is probably an embarrassment to Coasties and squids everywhere. But don't let that stop you from enjoying your beverage of choice. I've never been a big fan of alcohol, which enhanced my ability to bring several shipmates back safely across the brow without a police escort. I'll keep you out of trouble.
 

BMF

Bad Mother....
Lifetime Member
Sep 8, 2014
25,399
59,221
Neither, which is probably an embarrassment to Coasties and squids everywhere. But don't let that stop you from enjoying your beverage of choice. I've never been a big fan of alcohol, which enhanced my ability to bring several shipmates back safely across the brow without a police escort. I'll keep you out of trouble.

The Command MC when I was at FC......ooooof!!! We'll talk about that over a couple of iced teas someday!

I was raised a southern baptist, so I understand the no drinking - and fully respect it! I was just a heathen and enjoy a cold drink occasionally (like today....I did some day drinking w/ my cousin out here in the Virginia mountains!). Looking forward to the day we shake hands in Gainesville, Master Chief Petty Officer!
 

wrpgator

Well-Known Member
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Sep 6, 2019
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Sorry I didn't see this thread on Veterans Day. Thanks to all serving or retired! You all Made America Great.

My father, 1966 Mekong River, Go Cong Province, Republic of Vietnam. Retired as LTC. Dad's final resting spot, South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth Fl.
upload_2020-11-15_10-7-14.png

My grandfather, Yalu River, Nov. 1950, the first unit to reach the Yalu river that separates N. Korea from China. A few hours later hordes of Chinese Army poured over the mountains. Retired as COL. Picture and article, Stars & Stripes.
Buried at Arlington.
upload_2020-11-15_10-13-22.png
My g-grandfather, WWI, retired as Major General.
My g-g-grandfather, 51st NY Volunteers, 1861 - 1865.
My g-g-grandfather (grandmother's side), 5th Michigan Cav. (Custer's Brigade), 1861 - 1865.
Two distant cousins, brothers both died at Andersonville, Ga. within a month of each other.
My son, currently 15 years of service USAF, now at at Beale AFB, Calif.
God Bless our veterans and service members, God Bless the USA.
 

wrpgator

Well-Known Member
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Sep 6, 2019
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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.
All the best to you Dan. Me: prostate cancer 2014, testicular cancer '09.
 

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