Memorial Day is Over, but can we continue honoring our veterans and soldiers when they didn't pass in Combat?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 13:53:24 -0400

Let's not wait until the next Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, or the Fourth of July

Here is an awesome tribute to those that have served in combat, those who have served their country in harms way, and in my opinion even that have served in peacetime. Peacetime military members that served during the "Cold War" that stood ready should be remember as "Just a Common Soldier"!

I hope that you feel the same way and treat all veterans, retirees, reserve, and active duty soldiers that haven't been in a combat situations as our military forces rate of deployment and operational tempo starts to come down throughout our armed forces. They will continue to stand ready and protect our country for the next war! No one should ever be forgotten!

Many have heard this over the last 25 years for known as "A Soldier Died Today"

http://www.justacommonsoldier.com/

Many will disagree with my assessment, but that's okay. That's the freedom of speech we exercise - thanks COL B (Retired)

Just a Common Soldier

Just A Common Soldier, also known as A Soldier Died Today, is one of the most popular poems on the Internet. Written and published in 1987 by Canadian veteran and columnist A. Lawrence Vaincourt, it now appears in numerous anthologies, on thousands of websites and on July 4, 2008 it was carved into a marble monument at West Point, US. Set to music by the author's son, composer Randy Vancourt, it has been released several times as a record,...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 1:54 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 13:54:56 -0400

I'm of the same opinion...

For example; why do we wait until Father's day, Mother's day, Valentines day etc to honor these people? It should be done on a daily basis.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 1:55 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 13:55:35 -0400

Exactly.. No one should ever be forgotten and we should do all that we can to help our brothers and sisters out! I am ready to help!

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 3 at 2015 1:59 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 13:59:08 -0400

We should always honor and give thanks to those who are and have served. As we all know if it wasn't for their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families we couldn't enjoy the lives we do now.

Response by SGT Forrest Stewart made Jun 3 at 2015 2:05 PM

SGT Forrest Stewart — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 14:05:35 -0400

I so agree with you. Here's my hearty AMEN!

Response by SPC David S. made Jun 3 at 2015 2:17 PM

SPC David S. — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 14:17:03 -0400

Totally agree, honor ALL vets of yesterday, today and future. Wether they deployed or not. It takes a lot of courage to even be in the service because as a service member you are deployable at a moments notice, you could be stationed in an area that's not all that safe and away from your family for years at a time too. So ALL service members deserve to be honored at all times of the year.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 2:17 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 14:17:41 -0400

Hadn't read this in a long while. Thanks for sharing.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Jun 3 at 2015 2:48 PM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 14:48:41 -0400

Whether or not you are a "combat" veteran or "Just a common soldier" makes no difference to me - we all stood up for our country and that's what matters. There are some who didn't have the choice to deploy - and others that saw more than their fair share. We are ALL on the same team and in the same fight and I salute each and every one of you every single day!

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Jun 3 at 2015 3:00 PM

CPO Joseph Grant — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 15:00:30 -0400

I was a Cold War warrior. It nearly went hot a few times. I can't speak for the other branches, but I know that those of us on submarines were on s war footing as soon as we left the pier.

Regardless, every veteran essentially wrote that blank check to our government. We all stood ready to go into harms way.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 3 at 2015 8:19 PM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 20:19:00 -0400

I do something like this every chance I get by performing missions with the Patriot Guard Riders.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 12:42 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 00:42:11 -0400

COL MIKEL BURROUGHS

I believe that every day should be a tribute to our military, but I fear the public will grow very weary of that very quickly if it's a programmed honor. I am ecstatic that America is so on the bandwagon for the military like it now is. We haven't seen that since the days after WWII. Now, it's done unapologetically and spontaneously just about everywhere. It makes me very proud I served...even though I never did get my parade!!! Oh, well, I'm okay with that now. I'm mean, it's only been forty-three years!!!

Response by SMSgt David A Asbury made May 18 at 2021 4:22 PM

SMSgt David A Asbury — Tue, 18 May 2021 16:22:06 -0400

Our nation would not be here without the American Serviceman.