My dad is a military chaplain, and he left two days ago for Iraq to minister to the soldiers. He'll be gone five months. We miss him already, but we're also very proud of him and don't have any doubts that he'll come safely home to us again.

So I thought I'd make a thread for our beloved "dogs of the military" and see if there was anyone else who had a friend or family member in the military. If you do, or if you're simply someone who loves your country and supports the troops, welcome! Please tell us all about it and share your thoughts!

One thing though: This thread is NOT for arguing about the war or anything. If you don't agree with the war in Iraq or if you don't like what happens over there, that's okay. I respect that. But please either keep it to yourself or take it to the Debate District. I want this to be a place of support and encouragement, not heated arguments that'll end up going nowhere.

Okay? Are we cool with that? Good.

And because we all love FMA, here's something cute I found. It's a US soldier and a little boy in Iraq playing video games. But look closely...



Notice the boy's right arm and left leg? (Where's Winry when you need her?)

My brother is in the U.S. Coast Guard, and he's over seas in Bahrain, a little island off the Saudi Arabia side of the Persian Gulf. He should be coming home in June, just in time for our youngest sister's graduation. His wife is also in the Coast Guard, and she's training with the Canadian Coast Guard before she goes to Guantanamo Bay--thought, Obama's plans to shut down the facility might change her orders.

My brother-in-law is a retired Marine, but he still works with the Marines teaching seminars on computer networking, and other computer related things. He still travels to bases all over the world.

My cousin is in the Army, and currently in Iraq. He's a driver, and currently trained to be a field medic, too.

I myself am in the army.

I am in the army. I'm currently in Mosul, Iraq. Really crappy city. Mortars and rockets weekly; IED's and Grenades daily.

Oh my.... I believe this is the first post on our board posted from the front!!
Welcome to our board! Glad to have you with us. ^^


ETA: Gahaha, Metastasis' post below is so true, and I stand corrected. ^^ Our first post from the front-line is Metastasis' first post here, on our "Welcome" thread.

BTW, I just remembered that I think we do have a couple of members who are serving in the Australian forces. Though, I think they are stationed inside Australia at the moment.

Well thanks, Tombow. Although I had a few posts a couple weeks ago, so I think those were the first posts from the frontlines. Happy to be here.

For Veterans/Remembrance Day, I'm bringing up this thread in honor of all those who are serving/have served for the country.


BTW, this thread is for Veterans/servicemen in any country, and of course this is not to be taken as any kind of political statement. ..just adding to make sure. ^^

Thank you to all the brave men and women who are serving/have served. (: I could never imagine being able to do what our soldiers have done for our country.

My grandfather was in the Korean War, and is still alive today.

My older brother is currently serving in the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan. My family (including myself) are very proud of him. He enjoys being in the Air Force. We worry about him over there, but he was making jokes on his facebook page that whoever's shooting at them "suck at aiming". Still, we're always thinking of him and praying for him.

I also have cousins who have served in the Marines and the Navy in Iraq. And they've come home a while ago, safe and sound.

One of my family friends is in the Marine Corps. My sister wanted to be in the Marines, but changed her mind for some reason. :/

@ Metastasis Thanks for everything you do!

To all the veterans out there and who are currently serving, thank you.

My grandfather, his name was Doc Savage... yes yes like the comic books, he was in the Army during WW2 and he was deployed to Saipan. I have tons of photos of him from when he was over there. RIP grandpa. <3

Also my husband is a Navy Veteran, he served for 10 years, he was on the USS Abraham Lincoln, he was stationed in Iceland for three years and his last leg was in Ingleside, Texas on the Mine warfare ships. He was in Bahrain for 6 months in 2006 and he earned a NAM (Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal) he found 37 underwater mines 7 minutes apart. I'm so proud of him.

So again, I know this is late BUT thanks to all the veterans for all you do!

Not currently, only in the history of time. XD

My great grandfather who was born in the late 1800's was in the Dutch army.

Here is a picture of him:



A picture of him with his army group:



There were also 2 of my grandma's cousins who became Nazi SS during WWII. My family was so horrified by the fact that they did that...we're not even German. We're Dutch. They were traitors! No one even forced them to do that. One of them was killed and the other one was thrown in jail for 7 years after the war. My family didn't re-connect with that part of the family until 25 years later when we finally had it in us to forgive them. Of course I wasn't even alive when any of this happened.

My grandma wanted to re-connect with them I think because those cousins of hers and their dad....well, he was my grandma's father's brother....and my grandma's father died a horrible death at age 26 when she was only 3 years old. She missed her dad a lot as a kid and I think it traumatized her. Her dad was a border guard....so that was a bit like the military I think. It was during WWI too. He died on the last day of WWI. Of course the Netherlands was a neutral country in WWI.

I also had 2 uncles who were in Vietnam. One was a medic and the other was in the air force.

I have some other relatives that were in the army I think but it was ages ago and I'm not as informed about everyone.

^ @Green Eyed Envy - That a great looking pic of your great grandfather! ^^


Today is Memorial Day in U.S., so... my salute to the departed veterans who served the country...not just veterans in U.S., but any country...