Share Your Story

Lunch in Belgium

My father was in the Air Force. Near the close of World War II, he was sent to Belgium. During some free time, he took a walk and came upon a little place to eat. He sat down and looked at the menu. Not knowing the language, he searched for something that seemed familiar. "Hamburger American". He ordered it and was surprised when he was presented with a plate of raw hamburger! Through some improvised sign language and charades, he got it cooked. He couldn't imagine eating it raw, and the staff couldn't imagine anyone wanting it cooked!

Linda Freedman
Cheshire, CT

Guillian Barre Syndrome & The Flu Shot

I joined the Army Reserve in Jan. 2009 and in Oct. 2010, I got my annual flu shot. On Dec. 17, 2010, I woke up and could not move my legs at all. I went into the ER and eventually found out that I had GBS (Guillian Barre Syndrome), which comes from (in most cases) the flu shot.

I was only 19 when all of this was happening. I was so excited about my military life that was ahead of me and it was all taken away. I now can walk again and live on my own; however, I was a retired veteran at the age of 22. I am now nearing 24 and though I am grateful for being alive and well, my immune system is compromised and I get sick easily. Not to mention I don't have the military career ahead of me anymore.

I have learned to live with the issues that GBS has given me. It was scary when it happened and it still affects me in some ways today. I would like to extend my help...

I wanted to share my story simply because I want to help anyone else who has or is going through this. Please email me @ crooker09@aol.com with the subject line saying "I have GBS, help?" and that way I will know you aren't spam. We can talk and I can try to help in any way I can. Please do not hesitate if you also know of someone who has been through this as well. Give them my info?!

Thanks,
Crooker

Anonymous
Butte, MT

My Two Sons

My two sons are proudly serving in the United States Marine Corp. They are following in the footsteps of several family members who have served and some that are still serving in the military today!! One is stationed in North Carolina and the other who is deployed right now, is stationed in California! This has been very challenging for me as a mother because I miss them so much, yet I support their decision to join the Corp. They are following their dreams and they are making their path in life.

Shelly White
Wichita, KS

My Son is My Hero

I recently shared a story about my son who sigen up for the Army before he turned 18. I have read many stories about what our troops edure while they are deployed, and as a Mother it is often difficult to absorb. I know my son came back, and I thank God. I never pressure him for details, I only try to be there for him in any way possible,
So, how did this change me? I work in health care, in a field where I must be an advocate for my patients. Even before my Son became a Veteran, I had a soft spot for my Veteran patients. Now, I look at my Veteran patients with different eyes, I think about what they may have gone through, how their Family felt while they were deployed, and how much they sacrificed for us and our Freedom..
My Son is my Hero and through his actions has helped me to be a stronger person.

Melissa Hands
Scottsdale, AZ

Why the reduction?

I'm an honorably retired Army veteran of 24 years. While I was serving on Active Duty, I was raped by my 1SG in my barracks room at Ft. Rucker, AL. At the time I was pregnant with my son. The next day I made an appointment with a psychiatric technician friend of mine, and I told her what happened. She had me go out into the waiting room for a few minutes. When she called me back in, she had him sitting there! I was in such a state of shock and abject terror that I couldn't even speak. HE was saying "you've told the right person, blah blah blah" I just needed for either him to leave, or an opportunity to leave. Needless to say, I suffer from PTSD and MST from the incident. I was injured while in the military with arthritis in my ankle, and a middle ear reconstruction on my left ear. I was rated at 30% for my physical injuries, my PTSD and MST were denied due to "lack of new evidence" I received a letter from the VA dated 5 January 2015 that informed me that my rating has been decreased from 30% to 10%. I am at the moment squatting in a friends home, that will soon be repossessed. I have nowhere to go, and I am in dire need of my rating to be increased so that I may be able to get my own home, and avoid being homeless again (I've been homeless 4 times in 3 years) I've been working iwth the regional office in Pittsburgh, and I feel like I'm spinning my wheels. Any ideas please??

Stacy
Pittsburgh, PA

My Soldier, My Airman

I have two sons in the military. I am so proud of both of them. I am also so scared while they are serving. One is in the Army, and one is in the Air Force. This has to be the hardest thing I have ever went through. I miss them so much and at times I cry myself to sleep. I know they are doing what they wanted to do in their life. I am sure people will think I am selfish for wanting them both home, but I can't help how I feel. I worry so much about them on a daily basis. When I went to each of their graduations, I was so proud of the men before me. I will always be a scared mother and that will never change. I know they will have a bright future and they both will have me by their side encouraging them all the way. I AM A PROUD MOM OF A SOLDIER AND A AIRMAN.

Lisa Beard
Irvine, KY

Support Our Veterans: Please help us nominate the short film, "Reveille" to the National Film Registry.

Let the National Film Preservation Board know that positive, patriotic films that honor our American Veterans are just as important to preserve and promote than the standard Hollywood classics!

Please consider adding your name to the petition to preserve this heartwarming little film and sharing it's simple tribute to our men and women who've served in the US Military.

Share and stand with our Veterans!

https://www.change.org/p/support-our-veterans-sign-a-petition-to-preserve-the-patriotic-short-film-reveille-to-the-national-film-registry-at-the-library-of-congress-for-future-generations

Thank you!

Donovan Montierth
Mesa, AZ

Father and Daughter's 1st meeting

Good morning,
I want to thank you for all the stories of our veterans and their wonderful homecomings. They are fantastic!!

I watched National Guardsman John Vorrath story and it reminded me of my homecoming 44 years ago.
In 1970 I was shipped out for my third WESPAC to Vietnam 2 weeks before my wife gave birth to our first daughter.
Short version is that I received my discharge from the Navy 3 months later. So, my daughter was 3 months old when I saw her for the first time other than in pictures.
I have attached a photo of my wife Dot (of 45 years), me and our daughter Dari on the day of my discharge Nov. 17th 1970, it was our first meeting.

Thank you
Bart

Bart Bartholomew
Loveland, CO

My Story

When I hit 18 I headed down to see Marine recruiter but he wasn't there so I went next door to Army guy..I told him I wanted to enlist in the toughest thing the Army had and he signed me up for the Paratroopers..He also talked me into finishing HS (I had a few months left) and I did. My college was paid for but I wanted to serve my country first..I spent 3 years with the 82 ABN and right before I got out I was offered SSGT position as an adviser to some place called Vietnam..I decline and have always regretted it. I went back into Army Reserve in 1974 and then into National Guard Special Forces in the next year..All told I spent over 30 yrs in the Reserves...Volunteered for first Gulf War but as a First Sgt I was not allowed to leave my unit...Total of 34 years military duty and I loved every minute of it..Miss it..

John DuPont
Picayune, MS

My Son is my Hero

My son was not 18 when he signed up for the Army Reserves in 2003. I remember going with him to the Reserve Office to sign the papers. I was the one who was nervous, he said "I want to do this Mom". He was my baby, my only Son. I raised him alone, I was never more proud. I continue to marvel and amaze at the strength of my Son. I do not know what happens when our troops deploy, when they are gone for months and months, I only know that the sacrifice they provide for our Country and for our Freedom is the greatest gift. My soSon is my Hero.