It's About Liberty: A Conservative Forum

Topics => Military News/Veterans => Topic started by: oldcoastie6468 on December 15, 2013, 11:45:46 AM

Title: On 12/16/2013,
Post by: oldcoastie6468 on December 15, 2013, 11:45:46 AM
I'll be going down to the Manteno, IL, state veterans home with some others from my Legion post.  ::USA::

http://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/about-us/Pages/default.aspx (http://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/about-us/Pages/default.aspx)

We'll take cosmetic items, some clothing, and cash for their canteen.

I look forward to sitting down with some lonely vets and just talking. I understand that's what they miss the most. I may even drive by myself instead of with someone so I can stay as long as I want to.

I do what I can do.....
Title: Re: On 12/16/2013,
Post by: Septugenarian on December 15, 2013, 12:03:56 PM
Good on you.  As an old drill sergeant used to say, "That's commendable!"
Title: Re: On 12/16/2013,
Post by: Libertas on December 15, 2013, 12:48:31 PM
 ::hat-tip::  Very good, Sir.
Title: Re: On 12/16/2013,
Post by: AlanS on December 15, 2013, 02:07:35 PM
God bless you, sir. ::USA::
Title: Re: On 12/16/2013,
Post by: oldcoastie6468 on December 15, 2013, 04:54:19 PM
Thanks, folks!  ::USA::
Title: Re: On 12/16/2013,
Post by: ToddF on December 16, 2013, 08:28:06 AM
 ::USA::

I remember a guy from my Grandpa's post was pretty down at my Grandpa's funeral.  My Grandpa was Keokuk, IA's second to last active WWII veteran, leaving now lonely guy the last.  They will appreciate it.
Title: Re: On 12/16/2013,
Post by: oldcoastie6468 on December 16, 2013, 03:49:44 PM
I did it. The Commander and the 2nd Vice Commander of my Legion post sat down after we completed the goods and cash deliveries and talked with some of the vets.

I did, too, but I concentrated on the Coast Guard vets there - all 4 of them. They were extremely glad that I stopped to talk to them. There were 3 WWII CG vets - they served aboard the CGC INGHAM, the CGC SEA CLOUD, and the 100-year old CG vet apologized that he couldn't remember where he served (QUOTE: "I'm a hundred years old!")

The CGC SEA CLOUD was a 4-masted bark. http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/sea_cloud_ix99.asp (http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/sea_cloud_ix99.asp)

The 4th CG vet served on CG ship in Vietnam that broadcasted the Voice of America. He was wheelchair bound.

I was honored to stand among my fellow Coastguardsmen.

I took pictures of 3 of them that I'll add after I get them downloaded. I also took pictures of other Coasties that had lived and died in that facility.

When I passed a place where all the vets sat and watched TV or played board games, I stopped, introduced myself, and thanked them for their service to our country. I told them that although their generation was being forgotten, I stressed that the American Legion would NOT forget their service and sacrifices.  ::USA::

And to a man, they all hated Obama!  ::thumbsup::
Title: Re: On 12/16/2013,
Post by: oldcoastie6468 on December 16, 2013, 11:58:49 PM
PHOTOS OF COASTGUARDSMEN FROM MANTENO VETERANS HOME

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/lowfreeboard/521%20Legion/DSCF5103.jpg)

Jr. Vice Commander Jim Kirkpatrick, Commander Ernie Thurmond, and Me (Judge Advocate & Historian)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/lowfreeboard/521%20Legion/DSCF5104-1.jpg)

Paul Halter, 100 years old

More to follow, after I get them rotated.
Title: Re: On 12/16/2013,
Post by: oldcoastie6468 on December 17, 2013, 12:44:23 AM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/lowfreeboard/521%20Legion/DSCF5112-1.jpg)

Alfred Wallen, USCG, CGC SEA CLOUD

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/lowfreeboard/521%20Legion/DSCF5111-1.jpg)

Anthony Crisanti, USCG, Deceased

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/lowfreeboard/521%20Legion/DSCF5109-1.jpg)

John Banasiak, USCG, Deceased

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/lowfreeboard/521%20Legion/DSCF5105-2.jpg)

Joseph Dambek, USCG, Deceased


For all of the deceased military members in pictures on the walls, and for those whose pictures are not there,

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/lowfreeboard/respect/Colors-halfstaff.gif)

 ::USA::

There is literally another 1/2 mile of photos on the walls, which I didn't have time to review. Someday.......
Title: Re: On 12/16/2013,
Post by: rustybayonet on December 17, 2013, 07:10:22 AM
To those fellow CG on the wall - thank you for your service

(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv176/rustybayonet_2009/military/Colors-halfstaff.gif) (http://s681.photobucket.com/user/rustybayonet_2009/media/military/Colors-halfstaff.gif.html)

(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv176/rustybayonet_2009/military/uscgf.gif) (http://s681.photobucket.com/user/rustybayonet_2009/media/military/uscgf.gif.html)

(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv176/rustybayonet_2009/military/Colors-halfstaff.gif) (http://s681.photobucket.com/user/rustybayonet_2009/media/military/Colors-halfstaff.gif.html)

CG6468 thank you for your committment.  Our branch might be small compared to the others, but we do have the bond of service.
Title: Re: On 12/16/2013,
Post by: oldcoastie6468 on December 17, 2013, 07:25:44 AM
No thank you is necessary, Rusty. It's just who I am, and it's who you are. You and I both know the camaraderie among we Coastguardsmen. Although that's taught in boot camp, that education and re-enforcement of our values continues for the rest of our lives. There are so few of us.........

<<EDIT:>> Maybe such traits are inherent in the people who join the Coast Guard. All of us believe that saving lives is more important than taking them, but if and when it becomes necessary we'll stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our compatriots in the other services. <<END OF EDIT>>

We also appreciate and honor those members of the other 4 military services.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/lowfreeboard/Coast%20Guard/cgfamily.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/lowfreeboard/Coast%20Guard/CGFlag.jpg)
Title: Re: On 12/16/2013,
Post by: Libertas on December 17, 2013, 07:39:30 AM
"And to a man, they all hated Obama!"

Nothing wrong with their faculties!!!   ::thumbsup::

 ::USA::   ::USA::   ::USA::
Title: Re: On 12/16/2013,
Post by: oldcoastie6468 on December 17, 2013, 07:41:31 AM
Quote from: Libertas on December 17, 2013, 07:39:30 AM
"And to a man, they all hated Obama!"

Nothing wrong with their faculties!!!   ::thumbsup::

 ::USA::   ::USA::   ::USA::

I found that fascinating! And you should hear the STAFF! I don't know if anyone in the entire facility likes blammo!
Title: Re: On 12/16/2013,
Post by: Libertas on December 17, 2013, 08:12:35 AM
Quote from: oldcoastie6468 on December 17, 2013, 07:41:31 AM
Quote from: Libertas on December 17, 2013, 07:39:30 AM
"And to a man, they all hated Obama!"

Nothing wrong with their faculties!!!   ::thumbsup::

 ::USA::   ::USA::   ::USA::

I found that fascinating! And you should hear the STAFF! I don't know if anyone in the entire facility likes blammo!

God Bless 'em, each and every one! 

 ::grouphug::