Dont forget...

[tradarcher816]

Hunting season is close, and were all stoked.  But remember today, and all those who sacrificed.  God bless all those who serve. May we never forget.

[Matty]

:(      
Feels like that was just yesterday...

           

Bisch

[achigan]

[Fattony77]

Never will forget...

[mike g]

9/11 is right there 12/7 Never will forget.

[Cavscout9753]

My mother woke me up that morning as the second tower was hit. She was concerned because about then people began to realize it wasn't random or isolated. She said "you're supposed to go down town today to sign your enlistment papers, what are you going to do?" I answered with a level of confidence which I didn't posses, "go down and sign them, this doesn't change a thing". But it did of course. I signed into the 3rd I.D. On April 1st, 2002 after basic training. In January 2003 we were told we would be going to Kuwait to stage in case Saddam refused President Bush's demands. On March 20th we crossed the border, I was only a PFC then. I was lucky though, not even a scratch although roughly 10% of our company was killed or wounded in a 3 day period taking and holding the Saddam Airport. SFC Smith, our 2nd Platoon, Platoon Sergeant (I was in 3rd) would receive the Medal of Honor fighting there. (Back then I was a combat engineer before I went to the Cavalry Scout side). For years the aftermath of the attacks played out as the setting for my young-adult life. A year home, a year there, for 4 tours over 8 years. My oldest son was 3 months old before I could get home to meet him, and then only for 2 weeks before I headed back for 6 more months. He was 9 months old before I really knew him. My youngest is 7 years apart from his brother - I was determined to be there as much as I could this time, for their sake, my wifes sake, my sake. So we waited out a war to have another. None of this is complaining, I type this now from the back of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle at Ft benning where I train young armor lieutenants. I love my calling, but it, like many things, leave their mark with time. So yes, we will never forget, because we will never let them forget.

[GreyCrow]

Your neighbours to the North will never forget.

[glass76]

Originally posted by Cavscout9753:
My mother woke me up that morning as the second tower was hit. She was concerned because about then people began to realize it wasn't random or isolated. She said "you're supposed to go down town today to sign your enlistment papers, what are you going to do?" I answered with a level of confidence which I didn't posses, "go down and sign them, this doesn't change a thing". But it did of course. I signed into the 3rd I.D. On April 1st, 2002 after basic training. In January 2003 we were told we would be going to Kuwait to stage in case Saddam refused President Bush's demands. On March 20th we crossed the border, I was only a PFC then. I was lucky though, not even a scratch although roughly 10% of our company was killed or wounded in a 3 day period taking and holding the Saddam Airport. SFC Smith, our 2nd Platoon, Platoon Sergeant (I was in 3rd) would receive the Medal of Honor fighting there. (Back then I was a combat engineer before I went to the Cavalry Scout side). For years the aftermath of the attacks played out as the setting for my young-adult life. A year home, a year there, for 4 tours over 8 years. My oldest son was 3 months old before I could get home to meet him, and then only for 2 weeks before I headed back for 6 more months. He was 9 months old before I really knew him. My youngest is 7 years apart from his brother - I was determined to be there as much as I could this time, for their sake, my wifes sake, my sake. So we waited out a war to have another. None of this is complaining, I type this now from the back of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle at Ft benning where I train young armor lieutenants. I love my calling, but it, like many things, leave their mark with time. So yes, we will never forget, because we will never let them forget.

Thank You for serving!

[David Smith]

Cavscout9753,
Thank you on behalf of my family for everything you have sacrificed. The time away from your family, friends, and home can never be replaced but know there are folks here who appreciate it more than you know.
Dave

[Cavscout9753]

Thanks guys. And I'm sorry, I didn't mean to highjack the thread and feel as though I did with my lengthly post. My family were all fire fighters and police growing up, and the real heros then as now and every day are those folks.

[mark Willoughby]

[South MS Bowhunter]

A Day I'll never forget.  May God help our country to return to the faith and unity that day brought us to.

[fmscan]

Ca scout, thank you for your service. I was flying to Oregon yrs ago and sat next to a guy from Ft. Drum in NY. He was going to Korea for 13 months...told how hard it was to say goodbye to his wife BUT that was nothing compared to saying goodbye to his 5 yr old son. He wasn't winning just talking. I realized what a huge strain on families we ask of our men in uniform. Really made it real for me...

[hitman]

As far as I am concerned you can speak all you want, any time you want. You earned it sir and I thank you from myself and can speak for all of my family.

[centaur]

HooRah Cavscout. Good luck training those butterbars!
If you ain't CAV, you ain't s---!

[Roadkill]

Scout, relish your time in service.  After almost 30 years i retired 19 years ago.  I work with great folks, but nothing will every replace the bonds that warriors have with one another.  Train em well, they need guidance from your experience.  Bravo Zulu to ya