To All Our Vets...

The first living recipient of the Medal of Honor for his service in the Iraq war.

https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/bellavia/

Our country salutes you Sergeant...:clapping:

Not sure why the link still doesn't load. Maybe that's a moderators job nowadays???

[video]https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/bellavia/[/video]

 
We have been staying in a local county campground just north of Bloomington/Normal Illinois. We have been here for a couple weeks and have almost two more weeks to go before heading out to the Black Hills.

The park is Camlara County Park and is owned by McLean County, Illinois.

When we checked in the rate was about $27.00 a night for a long pull thru site with electric only (no sewer or water hook up). Yesterday we went back to the office to book the remainder of our time and pay the balance. The Ranger on duty asked if I was a veteran. I confirmed that I was and he went back in the computer and refigured everything. When all was said and done we were not only paid up for the rest of our stay but they refunded us $18. In other words, they gave me a 50% veterans discount!

This was extra special for me because as a 17 year old I entered the Army from here. This was my "home of record", or the county in which I enlisted from. It says something about this county board and the citizens of this area to provide all veterans, resident and non-resident, with such a large camping discount.

Thank you McLean County Illinois.
 
I'm not a big contributor, only a small one and today I received my invitation to the commissioning of the USS BILLINGS LCS15. :clapping: I wish I could go, but I'll watch the ceremony live on the internet. This is the second ship I've become a part of, the other is the USS INDIANAPOLIS LCS 17. :clap:
 

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I'll give you a little about myself and the Navy. When I was young I wanted to enlist badly. I had a copy of the Bluejacket's Manual and read it cover to cover. I asked my mom if it was okay for me to give it a try and fulfill the goal and she had no problem. Next day I went to the recruiter, talked, signed papers and in 2 weeks I'd take the ASVAB test. I took the test and did very well and back then I was eligible for any job open to women and the recruiter was pleased. In 2 weeks I'd take my physical at the Tampa MEPS center and then off to Orlando RTC. I went through the physical only to be rejected because of bad eye sight, they were picky back then. Nothing was worse than having your goal slip away, even the recruiter felt bad as he never saw someone so eager to enlist. I can look back now and say that I tried, instead of thinking I wonder if I would have made it if I didn't try. So I have a soft spot for the Navy and I know that if I had gone through RTC and graduated I'd have made a good CPO and a good leader and probably retired after 20 years of service. :clapping:
 
Good on you for trying!:clapping:

My wife went through Orlando RTC in the early 80's, as that was the only women's boot camp at the time. Not sure exactly why, as she took that secret to her grave, but she refused to go back to Florida years after we got out of the service!
 
When I was living in Florida and attending Wyotech my storage unit got cleaned out of a lot of family mementos, collectibles and tools, one of the things they took was that Bluejackets' Manual and I found a replacement some time ago. While the thief thought it was a worthless book, for me it was a piece of the puzzle that makes up my life. Yes, I do read it every now and then.
 

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trike lady said:
When I was living in Florida and attending Wyotech my storage unit got cleaned out of a lot of family mementos, collectibles and tools, one of the things they took was that Bluejackets' Manual and I found a replacement some time ago. While the thief thought it was a worthless book, for me it was a piece of the puzzle that makes up my life. Yes, I do read it every now and then.
Click to expand...

Good memories last a lifetime' Val....ThumbUp.....
 
U.S.N.

You gave it your BEST, that says a WHOLE LOT in itself.......as a Navy Vet i

commend you for your efforts! I joined during the Viet Nam era and really

came close to going for 20..........still have fond memories of those 4+ years!

Hang in there YOUNG LADY, we all enjoy your contrubtions to TT.

I wish i still had my copy of the Bible (Blue Jackets Manuel)

:)
 
Hello Trike Lady

I enlisted at 17 and did my 4 in the navy, I think one of the big mistakes of my life, I should have stayed in for 20 and retired think of it out at 37 with full pension and could have got a good job and retired again. I still don't know why after 4 I shipped my seabag home.
 
Hello Trike Lady

I enlisted at 17 and did my 4 in the navy, I think one of the big mistakes of my life, I should have stayed in for 20 and retired think of it out at 37 with full pension and could have got a good job and retired again. I still don't know why after 4 I shipped my seabag home.

A shell Back said it
 
Thank you for your service.

That was my goal 20 years in the Navy, would have retired at 43. I was 23 at the time.

Today I participate in ship commissions and to be part of making sure that we have the 'Best' Navy and that our sailors have what they need to do their job protecting America. My contribution may only be $25.00 per ship and it is going to a good cause.

My father was a Marine who fought in WWII and my high school sweet heart was a Marine fought in Vietnam and never came home. I pray for out men and women in uniform who put themselves in harms way that they return home safe.
 
trike lady said:
I'll give you a little about myself and the Navy. When I was young I wanted to enlist badly. I had a copy of the Bluejacket's Manual and read it cover to cover. I asked my mom if it was okay for me to give it a try and fulfill the goal and she had no problem. Next day I went to the recruiter, talked, signed papers and in 2 weeks I'd take the ASVAB test. I took the test and did very well and back then I was eligible for any job open to women and the recruiter was pleased. In 2 weeks I'd take my physical at the Tampa MEPS center and then off to Orlando RTC. I went through the physical only to be rejected because of bad eye sight, they were picky back then. Nothing was worse than having your goal slip away, even the recruiter felt bad as he never saw someone so eager to enlist. I can look back now and say that I tried, instead of thinking I wonder if I would have made it if I didn't try. So I have a soft spot for the Navy and I know that if I had gone through RTC and graduated I'd have made a good CPO and a good leader and probably retired after 20 years of service. :clapping:
Click to expand...

They rejected men too TL. I'm proof of it. I was prepared to die but instead I was rejected due to a bad back. My back had never stopped me before but they used it to stop me then. It tore me up and I was bitter for years. When the PGR was formed I finally got to contribute in a very small way. It's the best I could do finally and I've since got where I'm not so bitter. But it still gets to me when I see guys, and now gals, talking about their service and I can't join in. I did the other best thing I could do back in the 60's as well. There was a Army/Air Force base close by so I got a job at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service as a civilian employee. I did 3 years there before moving on. So I did the best I could but I can't say I'm a veteran. That part hurts to this day. I feel like I have survivors remorse but never served. But I still do the PGR stuff when I can. It's just not the same when I see veterans salute and I never earned the right to it myself.:( Never knew about commissioning ships. Will be looking into that more. Thanks for the link TL.
 
Val, I agree, your disappointment was the Navy's loss. Your continued interest in the Navy by your sponsorship of ships is commendable. You are a true patriot.
 
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