posted
Being it's Veteran's Day I thought I'd write about the Veteran's hospitals.
Being a disabled veteran, I visit both veteran hospitals in Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan and this is what I see.
Men with no legs, Men who had burned faces. Men who were paralyzed. Men who were mentally ill. Men who shook non stop. Men who were crying. Men who couldn't sleep because of night terrors. Men who sit in a lobby all day long waiting for medications.
This is only a lil of it,
But what I wanted to STRESS IS
I think it would be very beneficial to walk our young men and women through a veterans hospital so they can see what war does... so they can see what might happen to them. I know this may keep some from joining, but I also think it would keep the weak out. You have no idea what I see unless you yourself have been through a veterans hospital. It is truly sad. I mean there were men with no legs just sitting in a wheel chair looking at the walls in the hallways. They were dyeing for someone to talk to, if only for a brief moment. I went outside to sit in the sun, and an old man told me that even though 90 percent of his body was scarred with burns, he will never regret fighting for his country! THAT'S LOYALTY....... Also ... I was surprised to see that one whole section of the hospital was labeled SPINAL CORD INJURIES...YES there are that many spinal cord injuries!
Before I served in the Army I never fully understood what our veterans went through. I guess cause I always saw the ones walking through the parade smiling... when truth is, those are only the blessed Veterans of our country ..... The Veterans I see on my visits, broke my HEART and made me proud to SAY I'm from this country! The fact is, A lot of those young men and women didn't just walk down to the recruiting station and sign up, some were drafted... then that made me think ----- our country picked their number, and they fought whether they thought it was right or wrong, but everyone of those Veterans had a look of satisfaction on their faces when I passed them, I think inside themselves they feel stronger for what they did for our country--- I think deep down, the scars on their faces is a reminder that at one time they mattered to everyone. Please if you know a veteran - tell them thank! Clay
posted
Thanks Clay for the post. I would like to say thanks to all Vets for what your have done for the sake of all people and for me. THANK YOU so much and may god give you many special blessings in your life and bless your family. I will pray that god gives those in Vets Hospitals peace and happiness.
Sincerely; timberman
Posts: 474 | From: Central PA | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
So true,I think every one should take the time to take a visit to one.Spend a few hours visit them,thank them.Yes it is sad,and yes you will not feel good to see the suffering,but imagine what it does for them.They gave there lives for our freedom,stuck there to die.I also speak from having done so numerous times.Find the mustard to go do it.It is nothing like having to go to war like they had to.JMHO
Thank You all who serve and or served to protect my freedoms.I salute you all.God Bless America
these guys are are giving it all for you.yes they are there for there own personal reasons too, and i have no doubt that most of them are finding EXACTLY what they were looking for... no, it isn't what they expect to find, but what is?
some of what i've been reading in these threads for the last two months is that many of you see our troops as just another tool in the US portfolio, and i am ashamed to be associated with many of you ...
the loudest cheerleaders are always the slobs with a beer in one hand and the remote in the other...go team...LOL
do you all realise that they are still arguing about whether or not Gulf War Syndrome exists? and something DID happen to a lot of those guys.....we just can't seem to be bothered to figure out what it was...
mostly cuz it might involve litigation...
[This message has been edited by glassman (edited November 11, 2004).]
posted
Being a veteran myself, I go to the Veterans Adminatration hospital quite often. I see the horrors of war in some of their eyes and in the missing body part. They went out and did what many never could. I myself seen this horrors first hand in the first Gulf war and wished I didn't. It is a wonderful thought to have a day for these men and women that served there country and protected your freedoms but we also should remember them everyday when so many have died in past and this present war.
It heartened me when I read the post of some in here. They felt that the soldiers life was somehow not as important as a citizen who dies for no cause. They say that we knew the risks when signing up for duty and if we die it was our job. Most of us who sign up do it for the adventure and service but I grant you we never think about death when we join. I joined for the college education but a lot join because of the recruiter who gave them a dream when they have none. When you are 18 and your life seems doomed the service can look good when you are given a glamar picture of service. The service gives you a sense of respect, honor of country, and bravery but one thing they don't teach you is the horrors of war and what it will be like if your injuried with little hope after service. Veterans with no legs who lost all hope homeless. veterans who have the mental flash backs of war who can not hold down a job. These are the ones who need us the most. And to all the veterans out there, Happy Veterans Day.
Ric
Posts: 4405 | From: Bristol, Tn, USA | Registered: Aug 2004
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No matter who is in office. If they are told to go, they go and stand the watch. Putting their lives between us and something else. Hopefully these kind of people never vanish, if they do, so will we.
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Thankyou, all veterans, who willingly fought for our country! I appreciate it, more than I can say! As I too, sit and pray for our troops, as they are fighting, and for their parents, especially their mothers, and think of the thoughts that have to be going through their heads, I don't even know how they can stand the worry and pain, but I know, that if my son, who is 24, wanted to go and fight for freedom, I would give him my support, and if, God forbid, anything ever happened to him, I'd know that he died doing what he thought was right, and that I would be in heaven with him someday!
I also think that everyone should visit a veterans home, and see for themselves, the sacrifice that they made, so that you could have the freedom to say whatever you want to say, and do whatever you want to do! My father in law, was a veteran, and lived in a veterans home for over eight years, and we visited him every week. Sometimes, it was too difficult for me to even go inside, so I'd wait for my mother in law outside, while she spent time alone with him! There was always someone sitting outside, and I would usually end up speaking with them. The stories they can tell you! They always enjoy visits, and the homes can always use your help, even helping to feed them dinner!
My brother was in Desert Storm, and he came home, and coughed for years, because of the burning oil, and I hope for his sake, that he is healthy, and won't develop something serious from being over there, but I am proud of him for the sacrifice he made, for his country!
Glass, you better not EVER think I am sitting here, cheering for our troops, like a ball team, and on behalf of others in this forum, I take offense to that comment! There is a difference, to praying, and rooting someone on, mentally, because you feel for people, and want to be supportive, and just cheering because they are the good guys! Geech! What do you think we are? Some of us, have more trouble expressing our feelings than others, and if that is how they do it, then that is good enough for me! Who are YOU, to say how they feel? Huh? Huh? Huh? Ok, I'm over my rant! I still like you!
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Kate, you know i don't think that of you. i think you have your heart in the right place even if you (IMO)take the bible TOO literally and don't believe that evolution is God's work....
the people that annoy me are the ones that have this false sense of bravado that my party propagated in the election . acting like the only soltion to our problem is the one that was chosen....and then accusing people of being wimps and even unpatriotic for having the GUTS to disagree.... the election is over and as i stated during the election, i won't look back. we owe these guys better than what they have gotten so far.
i was NOT joking about Gulf war syndrome.. we haven't tried hard enough to solve the problem, partially because we use depleted unranium ammo, partially because we didn't properly test all of the vaccinations given to the troops (anthrax for one), and partially because if we made it front page healines that we ACTUALLY destroyed Saddams nerve agent factories and weapons dumps in the first gulf war, we wouldn't have had a reason to go to this one...but who cares? RIGHT?
there are many (reservist)veterans of these last two wars who are suffering SERIOUS financial hardship as well...all sufffering is not physical....
the basic DEATH payout is 12K$ and then 1K$ a month to surviviors...i think that's DOWN from 25K$ a few years back.....
posted
War and human violence is a fact of life - always has been and always will be.
To reduce it you have to quickly and thoroughly kill your enemies, unless they are honorable and thus subject to concilliation - a very rare thing. Those who disagree (liberals) would destroy their nation because of their foolish beliefs, if their ideas prevail.
If you quickly and thoroghly kill your enemies there will be periods of peace when you have no enemies, and war will be minimized. Others won't f*** with you because they know what you will do.
Soldiers die in sacrifice for the good of their country - in a voluntary Army they choose this path. Every group has its soldiers that die for the good of the group, even ants.
Soldiers should be idolized for what they give in sacrifice for the rest of the nation. War trauma creates psychological scars that may never really heal.
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I can't understand, how you can take God's Word, TOO literally, but that is between each of us, and God, and someday, we will have to stand in front of him, and explain why we chose to feel the way we did, but that's beside the point! And if you want to believe, that God made your family out of some kind of ape, that is your choice, but I choose to believe Him, when he said that he created man in His image! I doubt very much, that God looks like a monkey, so I will continue to believe that MY family descended from Adam! Posts: 622 | From: USA | Registered: Aug 2004
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Kate, please consider the possibility that God was speaking to us as children then,we are not much improved emotionally but intellectually we have made some minor progress....
the time frames are all wrong...6000 yr old earth? 800 yr old people? and you do know that there were books left out whan the bible was assembled right?
[This message has been edited by glassman (edited November 11, 2004).]
posted
I'm a veteran with a 30% service connected disability (right leg). I've spent a good deal of time in VA hospitals around the country. I've seen and experienced the aftermath many of our military personnel have to deal with after giving their faithful service to the country they love. My voice is quite negative concerning todays political issues and happenings. I feel I've earned the right to that voice, and will quite frankly, use my good left leg to stomp the ass of anyone who tries to quiet my opinion. A lot of good people here state opinions that are quite the opposite of my own. They are free to have that opinion and to voice the same. But I would like to see many of the same individuals actually visit a VA facility and then hear their thoughts as to whether we should be riding the big white horse across the globe in the interests of freeing people who obviously don't have the courage to free themselves. Someone slaps my nieghbor, my nieghbor is free to make his own choice of how to handle the problem. Someone slaps me, I'll break the arm that left the print. If not on the first attempt, then the second, or the third....but it will get done. I believe in protecting my own and letting my nieghbor look out for his own.
Posts: 1656 | Registered: Sep 2004
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I have a 50% disablity rating from the service. I just think its funny how those who did not serve can tell me and other veterans how we feel and justify there non service as our spokesperson.
And its not that I think anyone is different for not serving. Just saying that some in here think they are better and we are here just to serve them.
Ric
[This message has been edited by Ric (edited November 11, 2004).]
Posts: 4405 | From: Bristol, Tn, USA | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
I do believe that our nation, was deeply affected by war, on 9/11, and that gives us all the right to our opinions! We all watched on TV, over 3000 people die, some of us watched it on live TV! The terrorists that killed our loved ones, or want to kill our loved ones, need to be stopped, wherever they are! I just don't believe in sitting back, and doing nothing! And I believe in loving my neighbor as myself, so we need to help the innocents of the world to be free! Oppressed doesn't mean not having any courage! It means, it was the only way they could protect their loved ones from being bombed, or shot, by their own government!The only way to get them food to eat! I respect the fact that you guys served, and I'm sorry you got hurt; I can't even imagine what you went through, but there are hundreds of thousands of Iraqi people, that have been through the same, or much worse, or lost their lives, for freedom. I continue to believe that they need our help to get there, and if they only way that I can serve, personally, is to continually pray for them and their safety,then that is what I will do!
Posts: 622 | From: USA | Registered: Aug 2004
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And yes, Glass, I believe that God speaks to us, as his children, now as well as back then, and some of us will never get it, until we are standing there right in front of Him, or I should say, laying prostrate on our faces in front of Him! Posts: 622 | From: USA | Registered: Aug 2004
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Kate, sure you have the right to our opinions. Not talking about that myself or you. Its those who say the service men and women who have died are just numbers. Like they really didn't matter. We joined and knew the risk so we don't matter as much as someone who didn't serve and was killed in 911. Thats wrong on any level. To be honest, I think someone who talks like that don't deserve our protection.
Ric
[This message has been edited by Ric (edited November 11, 2004).]
Posts: 4405 | From: Bristol, Tn, USA | Registered: Aug 2004
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not only do not deserve our protection, they resent it...
and why not? the new president has lived OUTSIDE iraq for 20 years...LOL
by the way Kate, God is always all around you and those of you that think it's your responsibility to tell others how they MUST do things to please GOD are not giving GOD the credit he deserves.....it's hubrous
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God doesn't want us to sit back, and let Him do everything for us, Glass! He commanded us to be fishers of men, and to be his disciples! What did his disciples do? They went out, and told others what God did for them, and what He could do for others! They shared God's love! They shared God's Word!They believed literally, in God's Word! They healed the sick! They didn't sit back, and not say anything, and they died for their faith; some of them crucified upside down, because they didn't feel worthy to be crucified rightside up like our Lord! They wanted to share God's Word, and His love, with everyone that they came into contact with! That is what a disciple does! That is what the Iraqi people need to know, and what our Christian soldiers can tell them! I know a lot of you don't understand me, but that is what is in my heart! I care for those people! I want them to have the freedoms that we have! What right do I have, to sit here, and not help them to have it? Did God make me better than they are? Doesn't God love each human exactly the same? If Jesus was standing right in front of you, what do you think HE would tell you to do? That is the perspective that I live by Glass!
Posts: 622 | From: USA | Registered: Aug 2004
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Kate....God is standing in front of me, and beside me, and all around me.... the more i learn about God's creation the better i know God. God doesn't need your help to save anybodies soul....especially mine... Posts: 36378 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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What I would like to know is just when this country supposedly became such the protector of the innocents and oppressed??!!! People in this country turn their heads on their nieghbors everyday!!! Women are taught that when being raped in a semi-public place, to yell FIRE rather than RAPE! Facts show that they are much more likely to receive assistance! Get off the white horse people and quit being so damn hypocritical!! Especially with my tax dollars!!! We're spending boatloads of money in the effort to "re-build" foriegn countries while they layoff teachers by the hundreds. I work my ass off all day long, then my kids come home and I'm expected to take another couple of hours to sit and do homework with them because apparently my tax dollars don't go far enough to get the job of teaching them done in the public school system. It's pathetic!!!
Posts: 1656 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Go Dardadog.... But, God has always used this country to balance the power of the world. For good or bad, that has been going on. Problem is, we forget what God had his people do in the Old Testament when they went to battle. Every thing was destroyed, even the animals. I like you have a serious problem with worrying about the world when so many problems are here in this country. Don't know exactly where we are headed. I do know a one world economy is the beginning of the end. As long as we back and defend Israel, we will survive. Be wary of anyone who tries to stop us from doing that.
Posts: 172 | Registered: Oct 2003
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That is where we will never agree Glass! God is around us, but if we KNOW him, he is IN us, and he uses us, as his instruments, to bring others to Christ! It is up to us, to share the Word! We are responsible for those who will end up in hell! Do you know that? That is what building up treasures in heaven means! Using the gifts that God gave us, when we accepted him as Savior! Preaching, teaching, knowledge, helps, evangelist, works, wisdom, healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues, the list goes on! Not sitting on our butts, and letting God do all the work, but allowing him to USE us, to do his will! It is doing what Christ did, while he was on this earth! He did all of the things while he was here, that are the same as the gifts of the spirit that he gave us to use, and to do! Jesus didn't sit and wait for the Heavenly Father to do everything; he went out and did what he was supposed to do, just like we are to go out and do what we are supposed to do! Try to be like HIM, the best that we can! If my neighbor, whom I love, doesn't know the Lord, you can darned well know that I will do everything I can, to keep them out of hell, because I believe it is a real place! Jesus told us it was a real place! He died to keep us from going there! You guys can believe what you want, that is called free-will, but that is what I believe! I care enough about the lost, and oppressed, to do something about it!
I don't agree with our school systems either, but since I've been involved in the politics of our school board where I live, we have made a difference! People need to get involved, to change things! We can't sit and complain, and expect things to be different! Go to the school board meetings, and make your voice heard! Let them know how you feel! Complain about the teachers that aren't "teaching". Complain about the higher salaries that they go on strike for, when it comes out of YOUR pocket in tax money! The only way things get better, is if we all work together to make it happen! The only way our country is going to get better, is if we reach out to each other, and help each other! Ok Dardadog, you can scream at me now!
[This message has been edited by Kate (edited November 12, 2004).]
[This message has been edited by Kate (edited November 12, 2004).]
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Kate, I think the problem with some is the inflexability of the conservative christian movement. We are right and you are wrong attitude. I mean my mother is that way. I don't consider myself Republican or Democrat. I will vote for the best candidate. But I honestly believe if Christ came back and ran for office as a Democrat that the church in this country wouldn't vote for him. Science has proved evolution. It's not something they are conspiring together. They know for a fact, yet we are so inflexable in the church we can not see the truth. Or try to explain the truth with the bible. What made me wonder about the church was from watching them. I'm not talking about God, I talking about the church. They judge others when Jesus said judge not unless you should be judged. I seen a women told to leave church once because she came to church with dress pants on. They actually told her she had to leave and not come back unless she wear a dress. Oh well already to long of a post.
Ric
Posts: 4405 | From: Bristol, Tn, USA | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
I hate discussing religion. Afterall, more wars have began over the subject than any other reason. For as ornery and pessimistic an individual as I am, actually, I am one of the most giving and helpful people you will ever meet. I have been at fault many times in the past for giving aid when I myself could not afford to be doing so. This does seem to be contradictory to my posts here, but I draw the line where I see fit to draw it concerning my own affairs. As far as the church goes, I have a big big problem with the whole "granted redemption" theory. I feel that I have tried to be one of good heart my entire life. I was the popular kid in school that would kick the bullies ass for picking on others less fortunate. I've been known to on many occasion hand a homeless person fifty bucks as I walk by them. My issue with religion though, is that although I've tried to be a good individual throughout my life, a murderer with his last breath can accept Christ and ask for forgiveness to be granted everlasting life and a spot in heaven, while since I have not accepted Christ as my savior will not..........well, that's not a party I care to neccessarily get an invitation too anyway. Oh, and the $50 to the homeless thing. Once I saw an individual holding a "please help" sign with a dog at his feet. I figured if he could afford the pet.........I told him to eat the dog.
Posts: 1656 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
That was funny. I worked at a store when I was in High School and one of those were sitting on the corner. The owner offered to let him clean the parking lot for some food and he said that was alright and left.
Ric
quote:Originally posted by Dardadog: ..............an' I'm real partial to dogs.
[This message has been edited by Ric (edited November 12, 2004).]
Posts: 4405 | From: Bristol, Tn, USA | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
Glass, blaspheming the Holy Spirit, is turning your back on the free gift that God gave us, through his son! Dardadog, I always thought it wasn't fair of someone on death row, to accept Jesus either, until I read the story in the Bible, about the man in the vineyard, who hired the workers, in Matthew 20. This scripture, is a parable, to explain that God loves everyone equally! Jesus died, for each of us! The gift is the same for everyone! He isn't a respector of persons! He is offering to you, the same thing he offered to me! The difference is, whether you accept the free gift or not, and if and when you do, what you do with your time until either death, or Christ's return! The person on his death bed, is offered the same, because God loves him just the same as the person that accepted the gift years ago! If you try to look at it, from God's perspective, then you can start to understand it a bit better! I'm very glad that you are a good person, and help others,we need lots more of those on this earth, but being good isn't enough to get us to heaven. If you believe in God, you also have to listen to his Word, and he says that NO man will come to the Father in heaven, except through the Son! That is all I am trying to share with you all! It is because I care about you! Nothing more! It is up to you, what you choose or not choose to do! Posts: 622 | From: USA | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
Kate, i am not suggesting that YOU are a blasphemer. BUT, you have adopted the evangalical view that God can't reach each individual in the way they need to be reached. God may have rested on the seventh day, but that was a long time ago. assuming the yoke of God means a different path for each of us. this movement to bring our nation INTO heaven is the blasphemy i am talking about. it's the politics of religion, and Jesus himself had much to say about that......ALL of it negative.... it was the politicians that crucified him...
[This message has been edited by glassman (edited November 12, 2004).]
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I know that I became part of this but I think this is the wrong thread to talk about this. If we want to debate christian values and the takeover by the christian right or the misconceptions of the christian community lets start a thread on it. This is a Veteran thread and we should honor them with it.
Ric
Posts: 4405 | From: Bristol, Tn, USA | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
Oh I agree with you totally, and started a thread so we can. I think the debate is needed.
quote:Originally posted by glassman: Ric, you may be correct, but when i swore to PROTECT the constitution, i don't remember my solomn oath including spreading Christianity...
Like it or not, much of the support for the current war is about JUST THAT....
[This message has been edited by Ric (edited November 12, 2004).]
Posts: 4405 | From: Bristol, Tn, USA | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
It was us, that crucified Him! Pontious Pilot, gave the crowd the choice. Between innocent Jesus, and a crook named Barabas! The crowd chose innocent Jesus! He died for their sins, just like he died for yours and mine!
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