To the Veterans

[Captain Matt]

This year is gonna be weird for me…. I’m on my 4th set of O-6 orders and in my 3rd tour as a CO. On 16 December I have my last change of command then get stashed for about 6 months (working for a reserve admiral on special assignment) before punching-out in May. 34 years is a long time, but I’ve had the pleasure of going from E-1 to O-6 and working with absolutely AMAZING people throughout my career. Planning to move from DC to Minnesota next summer and am absolutely going to at least 1 cardinal game per year as long as my health holds out.

 

[Stout]

I'd have to ask him. He is about a year and a half older than I am so he would have been maybe class of 87, I think. He went to Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix just so he could join their ROTC program, took German there, and enlisted right out of high school and ended up translating somewhere in Germany. Served a few years, came home and was a Phoenix police officer for 20 years before retiring.

We wouldn't have any overlap, then. I went there starting in '96. I was in Western Germany, in Baumholder and Idar Oberstein (Strassburg Kaserne). Looking forward to hearing where he was.

 

[602 Native]

So here was the day:

8 AM Free Wendy's Breakfast. Went with the lightest breakfast option and gave the potatoes and drink to my kid and kept the egg mcmuffin. Went to the 2 Starbucks in the neighborhood and got Wendy and I coffee

11 AM met my buddy at Lucille's BBQ and we had our very early vet lunch. I got the pulled pork sandwich no sides. They give you an extra $10 gift card.

12:30 PM. Little Ceasars free Pizza. That went to wife and daughter

12:45 PM Dickey's BBQ buy 1 get 1. Two sandwiches in the fridge for lunch another day

1:15 PM To Texas Roadhouse for the 6 month voucher.

3 PM Daughter and I to Dave and Busters to split my free meal and play the $10 game card. My 9 year old won half the games we played MUCH to my chagrin. I was not trying to lose.

Great fun day

For all the vet bros, Whataburger is giving free iced/hot coffee for the rest of the year

My man taking advantage of the day.

 

[phillycard]

A toast to all of you!!!

 

[Heucrazy]

I appreciate it, gang.

As a disabled vet in search of a new career years ago, I decided I wanted to help fellow disabled vets, specifically those dealing with trauma. My new career in social work then started, I eventually got into the VA and became a trauma therapist (amongst other things), and have worked my way up to become the mental health champion of the Pittsburgh VA. I get to do a job I absolutely love and get to give back to those who deserve our support so much. Can't ask for a better career than that

Fellow disabled Vet here who also went the VA route. 15 years at the VBA and the last 3 as a Decision Review Officer after 12 years of being a Rating Veterans Service Representative.

Thank you for all you do at the VAMC. We need about a million more of you.

 

[Stout]

Fellow disabled Vet here who also went the VA route. 15 years at the VBA and the last 3 as a Decision Review Officer after 12 years of being a Rating Veterans Service Representative.

Thank you for all you do at the VAMC. We need about a million more of you.

And a million more like you as well. Without guys like you, the VA wouldn't have treated me right and gotten me the ratings I deserve.

 

[AZ Native]

Thank you, the pay sucked but the educational benefits helped me get through college.

Forever grateful i am to serve my country.

The pay sucked? My pay was $129 a month. I would do it again. And yes, the benefits helped me through college. Love this country and love honoring all vets and current military.