Are you a US Veteran, or is one of your parents a Vet?

[mtnsnake]

....and if one of your parents has served or maybe even fought in a war, is he or she by any chance a Democrat who's influenced you politically?

I'm not a veteran of the armed services myself, but my father enlisted and served 6 years in the Navy in WWII. He was captain of his own ship! Better than that, he's been a die-hard life-long Democrat always, and probably the biggest influence on me and the rest of my family being the liberal-minded Democrats we are.

Anyway, to all the DUers who have ever served (or to their parents who've served, whether they're Democrat or Republican), my hat's off to ya!

[StephanieMarie]

1. My uncle is a Vietnam Vet.

My grandfather served in Korea. My Great Uncle served in WWII. My husband served in the first Desert Storm. AND I HATE THIS WAR IN IRAQ WITH ALL MY SOUL! It is WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mtnsnake]

3. My dad feels the same as you about this war or any unjust war

Even in his eighties, he despises people like Bush.

[BeatleBoot]

2. My Dad was in WWII

And yes, he's my political compass.

Hats off to me Da !!!

[Pam-Moby]

4. I am not a vet, but

my husband is a vet (marines). My father was in the air force. He was a P.O.W captured in Germany for 3 years WWII. Yes my father was a democrat. My husband is also a democrat, but his father is a republican. We are proud to be democrats.

[distantearlywarning]

5. I am from a military family.

My dad was an officer in Vietnam.

He is actually a Libertarian, but all the books he made me read as a child about totalitarianism and oppressive governments in general (Solhenitzyn, Ayn Rand, etc.) are, I think, enabling me now to recognize the signs of an evil empire in my own country, even if it isn't a communist or socialist evil empire. Thanks Dad, for providing me with this information so that I did not become a sheeple! :-)

[izzybeans]

6. Both my parents were in

the Air Force. To get a glimpse of them. here's a story of our short time with Rummie in Maryland. Yes its true. He has fangs and is perhaps made of candle wax. Someone molded his face to look amphibian. However, he was even more decrepit then anyone could imagine


<Paraphrasing and embellishing to the best of my memory>
We were waiting in line at this little crab place. I went to get some drinks for my mother and wife. I came back and this lizard of a man was yucking it up not 1/2 foot behind my mother. I said to myself "no, it couldn't be, Is it?" "mom don't turn around." "Damn it I said don't turn around." "Why, I've got to now? uhhhmmmm...I think we better leave. I'm going to vomit." says she. "here drink this it will calm your nerves." And then we sit down, the whole restaurant is buzzing with repugs ogling the man. My wife comments on the impossibility of this man spawning such a pretty daughter. I agree, total shock. Anyway, he begins electioneering his way around the dockside bar. Table to table, sneer and grin, sneer and grin <fake laughter for everyone, YeeaaaY!>. My father, a diabetic who shouldn't be drinking, grabbed my mother's beer, downed it and said "that murderer will not be touching my grandson." He had that low growling voice I used to fear as a teenager when I was caught doing the things teenagers do. He grabbed my son, walked away and didn't come back. I started to worry so I went to look. My mother contemplated confronting the lizardman, but balked. Too many repugs, too many izod golf shirts, too many khaki pants, too many deck shoes for that. We were afraid we might be boiled alive and thrown down on the table like the rest of the crabs, devoured... our blood dripping from his lizard like crawl. In the mean time, the serpent turned and walked toward my father who was coming back with my son. My father turned beet red and stormed off in the other direction. I only wish I knew what Rummie said. He did say something.

Summary: my parents being in the service, my father who lost his brother to the service, despise the man. They've had a big impact on me. I'm sure my mother is here lurking somewhere. Hi mom! If anyone is interested in helping oust John Hostetler from the House she could really use some help.

[mtnsnake]

8. That is a great story! Hillarious!

I can picture every little detail with the way you described what happened there. You've got a masterful way of painting the picture with your words. Kudos!

[izzybeans]

10. Well most of its true.

Thanks!

the quotes are obviously not exact because it was this summer. But this little scene will be burned into my memory for a long time.

[Cooley Hurd]

7. Dad was in WW2 - ETO, from Normandy on...

Battery B 551st Anti Aircraft Artillery AW BN. He's the corporal on the left:


He was a life-long pro-labor Dem.:thumbsup:

[lenidog]

9. I am a vet of the First Gulf War

while my father is a Korean War vet, his younger brother was killed in Vietnam. On my mothers side her brother served in Korea and her father served in the expedition to chase down Pancho Villa, then WWI and finally the American Expeditionary force to Russia and every one of them was a Dem. Grandpa voted for FDR all four times. The only time he voted Republican was for Ike.

[sweetladybug]

12. My father was a vet from WW2, my uncles Korean War, my husband Vietnam War

and my son the 1st Persian Gulf War. ALL OF THEM VOTE DEMOCRAT ALWAYS.

[mahina]

11. Yep- Dad was special forces, in Vietnam.

He was a democrat, as was grandad who fought in WWII and Korea.
Hawaii lost 27 Marines yesterday.
tears for them and g.w.bush can go straight to hell.

[two gun sid]

13. Grenada, Central America mid '80's Vet

Worked with the Contras in Honduras. (Negroponte is an evil prick.) Also, observed Iran-Iraq war 1986.

Thanks for taking your hat off but, I ain't real proud of my service.

[annabanana]

74. people grow, sid...

You can only see by the light you have. Most folks here wouldn't hold you entirely, personally, responsible for what you did while "under the influence".

[5thGenDemocrat]

14. I'm an Army veteran

So were my brother and my dad. My Aunt Anita was a 23-year USAF veteran, now retired and an occasional visitor here as "Gracie43.".
My grandfather Bill served in the Third Infantry Division in WWI and with both the Canadians and the Americans in WWII. My great-grandpa Seaman came down from Canada to fight in the Spanish-American War (he got as far as Tampa), while great-great=grandpa Garrett (1stGenDem) was a Confederate soldier who was captured at Fort Donelson in 1862.
Of the group, g'gpa Seaman and my dad were Republicans. All the others are/were Dems.
John
And dad was actually more liberal than my mom, Republican or not.

[vetwife]

15. Oh yeah...Vets all around me...

Welcome Home to all !

[SayitAintSo]

16. My Dad was WWII vet ........................n/t

[Elwood P Dowd]

17. I was drafted into the Army during Vietnam.

Did my two years and came out a Buck Sargent making a whopping $300.00 a month. My father and five uncles served during WWII.

My father was a Democrat up until LBJ in 68. He voted for Carter in 76 but changed to Reagan in 80. Even though he would sometimes vote repuke for president, if he were still alive, he would NOT support this idiot Bush.

[TahitiNut]

30. We have similar family history.

My father and five uncles served during WW2, too. I was drafted and sent to Vietnam and came back as an E-5, too. (Then I was promoted to civilian.)

[Elwood P Dowd]

34. You have to love that last promotion

It was like getting out of prison. One of the most happy days of my life.

[Columbia]

18. Iraq Vet

And a Democrat.

[leanin_green]

97. Welcome Home! Glad your still with us.

[Nik Jam]

19. Don't have a war relative...

My Grandfather's wife (my Grandma obviously) before the Vietnam War requested a defferment for him and got one. And my Dad (different side) was out of the Army barely before the Gulf War.

[Bouncy Ball]

20. Well my husband is a vet

12 years active duty Army. And he's a Democrat, through and through. Always has been.

[PennyK]

21. My dad served during WWII

He remained stateside, in the Army Air Corps, teaching Morse Code...and he SEZ he bunked with Joe Di Maggio!

[Elwood P Dowd]

29. Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?

:)

[LynnTheDem]

22. Yes. And still current active duty.

(This is LTDs hubby)

Served active duty going on 20 yrs now. 5 war tours. Democrat born. Democrat until death.

Thanks for your salute and I return it, sir/ma'am.

[rowire]

23. A Democrat Vet .... and proud of it.

I was pretty uniformed when I entered the Navy and didn't care about politics one way or the other. My ship was homeported in Rhode Island and I was exposed to many open-minded liberal officers who changed my life.

The right wants to claim the military as their own, but in reality the best and brightest I ran across were die-hard Democrats.

[merh]

24. My father was a WWII vet, a navigator in the Army Air Corp/

USAF. He then reenlisted and taught electronics for years, retired as a Major and continued in the Civil Service, teaching electronics for another 25 years. I remember when Arab, Iranian, Israeli, Jordanian and Iraqi soldiers were first taught by our military at the base where he taught (in the 70's and 80's). He would come home irate, saying that they were taking away precious classroom time from our soldiers and that we were teaching the people that would end up being the army that we would fight next.

I also watched my proud father face dejection and embarassment as the benefits promised to him for his service to our country were cut off, one by one, little by little. He eventually had to visit an civilian doctor to be properly diagnosed and treated, his rights to be seen at the military base hospital having been cut off unless he were on deaths door.

Yes, my proud vet father influenced my democratic politics and he would not be encouraging this war or any war for that matter. He saw death and never spoke of it, he never bragged about what he did during WWII, it was not until he died that our family discovered his many medals (including a bronze star). While he was alive, we could never get him to tell us of his war experiences (except that he refused to fly because he knew what went on in a cockpit). He would see nothing good or noble about this war. He would not support the weed.

He loved our nation and he was proud of his service, but our nation turned its back on him and thousands of other vets. They broke their promises to him and that broke his heart, his nation lied to him, his service didn't matter. He also knew that our meddling in the Middle East would bring us nothing but hardship and eventually a war.

In the end, it was his love for this nation and all she stands for that influenced me the most.

[alittlelark]

25. My dad is - USAF Nuclear Physicist....

Sent to Berkeley for (Livermore Labs) PhD in Optics due to his distaste for nuclear work. Worked on Star Wars for years before it was named such. Never saw battle, only research labs... and is now a borderline pacifist. Always voted Dem except for the 1st Reagan Admin. (knew where his bread was buttered?).

[libnnc]

26. My dad was US Navy

from 1951-1955. He served on the Hornet and the old Enterprise (I think) he was an airplane technician crew chief. I'm pretty sure he was a democrat--I didn't know him that well, he died when I was 6 yrs old (28 years ago yesterday).

He was a blue-collar, blue ribbon beer kinda guy and didn't suffer fools very well. He would have despised shrub.

[KellyPaDem]

27. My Grandfather fought in WWII

My Grandfather was a tank commander in World War II. He fought in every major battle in Europe (liberation of Paris, Battle of the Bulge, Day +2...) He is my hero and I am very proud of him. He had a job working for the government and he didn't have to go to the war but he believed in fighting for his country and he risked his life and sacrificed his hearing. When my Dad and Uncle were of age to go to Vietnam he encouraged them to go to college to avoid it because he knew the toll that war took and he didn't believe in giving that much for the Vietnam war. He even marched against that war. My grandfather was a democrat his entire life (which sadly ended this summer).

[TahitiNut]

28. Both. I'm a Vietnam Vet and my dad was WW2 Pacific (Seabees)

[tk2kewl]

31. To all vets who responded... THANK YOU!

And thanks to all those who have given their lives, bodies and minds in defense of our country.

I sincerely hope one day we will learn from our mistakes and NEVER send people into danger except and ONLY when it is ABSOLUTELY necessary to defend our country or our allies.

Peace.

[opiate69]

32. Both of my parents were VietNam era USAF.. and..

my grandfather on my father's side was a fighter pilot in the Pacific theatre in WWII. Both of my parents are Dems, not sure what my grandfather's political beliefs are.

[Greylyn58]

33. My father was a Marine

and served for 30 years - through Korea (where he lost a brother - my Uncle Charles was in the Army) and into Vietnam. My brothers and I were all born at base hospitals. For the 1st few years of my life the military life was all we knew. The older of my two brothers served for 6 years in the Marines and now my youngest nephew(his son) is currently at Parris Island in Boot Camp. Wasn't real happy about his joining especially under the current circumstances, but he wants to go to college and hopes to get money to become a chef.

My parents are life long Democrats and currently my mom is the Democratic judge in her polling place. My mom's folks were also Dems and her mom also worked the polls. Her father was in the army and was stationed out in Oklahoma during WWI. He took care of the horses that they were still using. We have a picture of him with one of them.

I remember how excited I was to vote when I turned 18 and it happened during a Presidential election year in 1976. I was even asked a question about voting that year and was in the local paper(I still have the clipping from the paper <VBG>)

So I guess you could say they influenced me.

:)

[KissMeKate]

35. Navy brat, vet, wife.

go Navy! lol

[oasis]

36. Veteran here.

[jonnyblitz]

37. desert storm vet here (10 years navy) and loonie lefty nt

[RandomKoolzip]

38. My fathe was in the army and served in a VA hospital during Vietnam.

What he saw there completely changed him; afterwards, he was the ultimate pacifist. A couple years later, he started organizing student groups and leading demonstrations. He marched with the Black Panthers in 1970 and helped shut down Yale University for a day.

Unfortunately, like a lot of people his age, when the revolution didn't happen, he got involved in a downward spiral of drugs and depression....he died in 1993 of cirrhosis.

He was the greatest man I ever knew, or will ever know. It's because of him that I feel like I have to carry on this fight against fascism. He used to warn me all the time as a kid: "America is the perfect breeding ground for a repeat of what happened in Hitler's Germany. People are so gullible and will do whatever their leaders tell them, so long as they mention "Freedom" and "Liberty." Don't fall for it."

After hearing Bush's inagural speech, I wept: this was exactly what he was talking about.

[mtnsnake]

47. Wow, that is some heavy stuff. Your Dad's words ring ever so true

You must be really proud of him, like so many others here in this thread who've served or who have a parent who's served. Thanks for sharing his words of wisdom :)

[Bryn]

111. Very Touching

My brother didn't make it home from Viet Nam in 1969.

I completely agree with your Dad. My brother wrote from there that he did not like what he saw and was counting days that he'd come home. I was told by many people that if he had come home, he'd never be the same.

Bless your Dad

[immoderate]

39. Both my parents were Army in WWII

And both of them worshipped FDR and were dedicated Democrats.

--IMM

[Fleshdancer]

40. Grandpa - WWI, Dad - Vietnam...BOTH Democrats.

My Grandpa (on my father's side) ran away from home at age 15, lied about his age, and joined the Army to fight in WW1. My father was career Army - over 20 years, did three tours and received two bronze stars and three purple hearts. Both die hard Democrats and proud of it.

My other Grandpa was in WW2 but I don't know what his political affiliation was. My brother is in the Army now and he confuses me...sometimes he says things that are pretty progressive and other times he says things that are so far to the right I just want to smack him. He's a hodgepodge I guess, but I still adore him.

[Blue Wally]

78. Lots of Army types............

Are John F. Kennedy style Democrats. They are very liberal/progressive on economic issues and pretty far right on national security issues. We lose them when we nominate a McGovern.

[puerco-bellies]

41. My self, my father, my grandfather...

Nearly every male member of my family serves in the armed forces. None of us like resident ass-wipe.

[Stinky The Clown]

42. I served, my Dad served, his three brothers served, my mother's brother

served, four of my five male cousins served. I have one brother; he didn't serve. This service stretches from WWII through the Vietnam era.

All, whether they served or not, are reliable Democratic voters, but not all are/were registered Dems.

[Stinky The Clown]

43. I posted my reply before reading all the other replies. Tears came to

my eyes. I am SO proud to be associated with all of you.

Democrats. The true patriots. Quiet and resolved.

[amerikat]

44. My Dad was a Merchant Marine

He's gone but not forgotten....Got his Ensign papers from Kings Point(NY).

Delivered supplies to the allies. Ammunition convoys to Murmansk.

He told me the weather-heat was unbearable- in Iran. Got sick from cashews in India....and the pacific was the best place to be in the war.

He only spoke of this once but........he told me about the sea being so rough that all the personnel were more or less disabled......the convoy came under attacked by u-boats.......the alarm sounded(all hands on deck)

and even my father said......I'd rather die now than continue......well he got up and did his job......oh the memories of the stories my dad told to me.

[driver8]

45. I'm a Navy brat and a Navy vet...

My father is not necessarily a Democrat, but I know that he has never voted for Bush. He said (and I quote), "I will vote for Al Sharpton before I vote for that idiot Bush."

My dad's golfing buddies (also retired career military) both hated Bush, also.

[bumblebee1]

46. Yes

I served in the Navy for 12 yrs. My husband retired from the Navy in 2000 after 20 yrs. He served in the first Persian Gulf war. We are both totally against this war of W's. Both of us feel that we had no business going into Iraq in the first place. As for other veterans in my family:

My father and his identical twin brother served in the Marines in WWII. Both were in the Pacific. I could remember my father's reaction after the Nixon debacle. He did not like the man afterwards.

My uncle was in the Army Air Corp as a pilot. He served in the Pacific. Another uncle was an Army officer who was military governor in Greece after WWII.

My mother's brothers served in WWII also.

My father in law served in the Navy reserves. My husband's nephew was in the Marines. He served in Haiti.

[ProfessorGAC]

48. Dad - Medical Corps 1949 - 1951

Me, no. 3 of my mom's brothers were either in Korea or WWII. Her other brother was a Marine but, got out in 1961, so he didn't serve during wartime. My brother-in-law was a Marine, too (although you'd never guess it), but that was in the 80's, so again, no action.
The Professor

[Cuban_Liberal]

49. I'm a vet, and so is my dad.

Thank you.

:)

[Ironpost]

50. United States Navy, 15 months in country, Viet-namn

and forever changed.

[flvegan]

51. My dad, 23 years US Navy

Served in WWII and Korea, I believe. I remember one of his boats was the aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise. He died before he could influence me politically, but he did teach me right from wrong, and to stand up to bullies. I guess that's influence enough to put me here.

[Charon]

52. Are you a US Veteran, or is one of your parents a Vet

My grandfather was a coal heaver on the Battleship Wyoming during WWI
My dad was a MM on the USS Yorktown and USS West Virginia during WWII and the USS Sitko Bay during the Korean war. I sailed on 6 ships during my 24 years in the Navy

[mtnsnake]

58. Here's a picture of your grandfather's battleship who served in WWI

To think he was a coal heaver on that awesome ship, wow does that stir up the images!
Again, thanks to you and to your's service (and to all the other DU'ers as well).



BTW, here's the URL where that photo of your grandfather's ship came from, in case you're interested. They even have copies of that photo available, I think.
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/usnshtp/bb/bb32cl.htm

[Charon]

59. grandfather's battleship

Thanks for the info. My brother has a couple of photos of the USS Wyoming when she was part of Battleship Squadron 6 of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet

[maxrandb]

53. Currently Finishing my 20th Year in the Navy

And am as "blue" as they come. Unfortunately, the Pukes have been very effective in convincing the "Armchair Patriots" that you have to be a knuckle dragging wing-nut to love and serve your country. Or that Dems "hate the military" and "hate Amurika".

Believe me, there are quite a few "right of Gengis Khan" types in the military, but there are also alot that proudly call themselves Democrats, or come from Democratic families.

Our national party leaders need to do a much better job getting the word out that there are thousands of us out here wearing "Gore 2000, or Kerry 2004" T-shirts under our uniforms.

"I'm military! I love America! I am a DEMOCRAT!" would make a good bumper sticker.

[bling bling]

54. Both my parents are veterans.

Dad is a Vietnam vet. Both are left-leaning social liberals and fiscal conservatives.

Bush administration has pushed both of them farther to the left then I've ever known them to be before.

[semillama]

55. My dad, uncles, great-uncles

My father was a radar instructor in the Air Force, stationed in Biloxi, MS, during the 1950s. He said that was the worst experience of his life and freaked out at my brother when he was considering joining the military for one of their military bands. Luckily, my brother came to his senses. Both my uncles on my dad's side served in the Army during the 50s and were stationed in Germany.

My great-uncles (dad's mother's brothers) served in the Army in WWII. Uncle John was in the tank corps under Patton and told us several tales, the veracity of which I am uncertain. the three best: On christmas eve, he was eating dinner with his crew, and went around the side of the tank to take a leak. Just then, a shell landed where he was sitting and took out his whole crew. Another time, he went into a German bank and grabbed some deustchmarks for souvenirs. He left, closed the door behind him, which set off the booby trap which blew him across the street, but he was unharmed. Lastly, he was in line to recieve medals, and Patton was pinning them on. He supposedly told Patton to shove his medals where the sun doesn't shine. Patton then allegedly told him: "Hurt, you're the best friend I have in this goddamn army. Now get back up to the front and get yourself killed."

I'm not sure if any of that is true.

Great-uncle Jim served in the Pacific and died on the Bataan Death March.

[Dzimbowicz]

56. USMC vet here

and a life-long Democrat. My mother's father was a Wilsonian Democrat and veteran of the First War (yes, it was that long ago). I was influenced more by my mother's side of the family than my father's (which is very republican).

Thank you for your support.

:hi:

[Geek_Girl]

57. My father was in Joined the Navy when he was 17

and served in Vietnam. All of my uncles served and both of my grandfathers are retired Army. I'm very proud of their service.

[CBHagman]

60. My father was in the U.S. Army in World War II, Pacific Theater.

He was also a Republican, and a Catholic one at that. I recall the days when the phrase "Catholic Republican" was an oxymoron.

I never asked my father why he was a Republican, but I do recall that he observed that FDR was practically worshipped during his terms in office. I don't know how my father felt about Harry Truman or FDR, but my mother had a rhinestone "IKE" pin from the '50s, and they voted for Goldwater in 1964 and Nixon in 1968.

[BigMcLargehuge]

61. My dad served in Vietnam from 1961-1964

with the Green Berets. He is not politically active but in my lifetime I don't think he's ever voted for a republican.

[RUDUing2]

62. my dad is a life long democrat and veteran of WWII and Korea, who

worked for the FEDs as head of Records Management on an Army base for 37 yrs....yeah repubs tell me how he is not a patriot cause he has no use for Bush and says his personal religious beliefs (and he is a southern baptist deacon!) has no place in government or laws...and he thinks we should never have invaded Iraq!

[RUDUing2]

83. his brother was a seebee at Okinawa...my moms brother was a

medic on the front line in Korea...her youngest brother was on a Sub off the coast of Cuba in the late 60's/early 70's...my bil retired as an admiral from the Navy...my nephew is in the Air Force stationed in S. Korea....I have ancestors who fought in every war from the French and Indian ones onward....

[dr.strangelove]

63. My most valued possession is the Flag that covered my Dad's Coffin

I'm not a real material guy. Not that I don't have my fair share of stuff, but most of it has no real meaning to me. I only have a few possessions things that I could never replace and would be very upset if I lost them. At the top of that list is the Flag that covered my Dad's Coffin when he died. Dad was a proud vet. He as in the Army during the Vietnam War and then returned to serve in the Army Reserves for 15 years. He deeply loved his service years, and I think he often regretted his decision to retire.

When I think about his funeral, the playing of taps, the honor guards that were so kind to my mother and the way they folded that flag, it breaks me up. I unfolded the flag on September 11 and flew it over my home for a few days. I have never taken it out since. It is only some cloth, but it means so much to me. My dad was proud that he earned that symbol, and recalling the pride he felt reminds me of how sad I am not to have him with me.

I'm not a vet. I try to serve my country in other ways, but the military life was not for me. My dad was a vet, and he influenced my life more than any other person. I miss him dearly. I join you in thanking the men and women who have served our country in this special way.

FYI - GREAT THREAD.

[flygal]

64. Wife of a vet here - and have a brother in the guard - voted Kerry

as did most of his unit

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

65. USMC '61-'65. One uncle fought in Spain. Two others in WWII.

I refused to extend my enlistment for Vietnam. My uncles were all Canadian Citizens, and all Socialists.

[libpunkmom]

66. Marine Brat here

Dad-Marine Vietnam 3 tours
Step dad- army Vietnam 2 tours
Grandfather-army Korea
Uncle-army Vietnam
2 cousins-army Desert Storm
All Democrats.. All stand firm and scream loudly against this war!!! All from Texas, all have hated the entire Bush family for decades!!!!

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

67. Veteran

of the United States Marine Corps, 1968-1972. Always have been a democrat. When in boot camp we were taught about all the glorius exploits of the Marines who preceded us. They were brave, valiant men. The stories were inspiring and exotic. I mean, hearing about Sgt. Dan Daly and the deeds he did in the Boxer Rebellion made your heart beat faster and swell with pride. It wasn't until later the thought occured to me, 'why were we in China to begin with?'
If you have a chance watch the movie "The Sand Pebbles" with Steve McQueen. It is exactly what is happening now in Iraq.
I got lucky, never got sent south (lingo at the time for going to "Nam").
My dad is a veteran, has voted both sides of the aisle.

[geniph]

76. You were in the Marines the same time as my husband

My husband was with 3rd Tanks in Northern I-Corps in Viet Nam.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

90. Chances are

I handled his pay record if he was discharged from Camp Pendleton.....
:shrug:

[pdxmom]

68. My dad was on the USS North Carolina during WWII

And I had 4 uncles who served in various theaters during that war, from Guadacanal to Germany.

2 uncles also served in Korea. One was career military.

I lost 2 cousins in Viet Nam.

On my husband's side, both his grandfather and grandmother served in WWII, she as a military nurse. Pacific Theater.

I'm really proud of all of them. And the fact that they are or were all Democrats makes me even more proud.

[Ezlivin]

69. I'm a Navy Submarine veteran, my wife's a Navy veteran

My dad retired after 20+ years in the USAF.

My mother is a veteran of the Canadian Air Force (parachute packer).

My wife's father was a Navy veteran.

One of my uncles retired after 30+ years in the USAF; another is an Army veteran, and another is an Air Force vet.

I've got four cousins who served.

A niece and a nephew just finished their first tours.

It's probably easier just to list those who didn't serve. :)

[noonwitch]

70. My dad served in Korea right after the war, doing border patrol

It was basically to shoot snipers.

[alfredo]

71. yes, I'm an Army vet 1965-1969

Turned down a $10,000 re-up bonus. I am too much of an anarchist to handle military discipline.

[Misunderestimator]

72. My dad, both brothers, uncle and grandfather are vets

Of those living, half voted for Bush. Thankfully my father was not one of them.

[southernleftylady]

73. My dad is a vietnam vet nt

[geniph]

75. My father, my husband,

my uncle, two brothers, uncountable cousins, are all veterans. My father's a Navy WWII veteran, my husband's a USMC Viet Nam combat veteran, my uncle's a Navy WWII veteran, two brothers served in the Army, and I have two cousins and a nephew serving in Iraq right now.

[shanti]

77. yes

i come from a long line of military men. granddad was ex-marine, served in ww2 in his forties!!, dad was an af lifer, served in korea, brother is ex-navy, and my son is now in the af.

all of us are/have been lifelong dems.

[bearfan454]

79. Both my parents were in and me too.

1974 - 1977 for me. USN.

[Greyskye]

80. Dad was Navy during the Korean "conflict"

Here's a pic of his boat, the USS Lewis Hancock, DD-675:




He was also a Political Science major in college, and is a lifelong Democrat. At 70 years old he was walking his district in Oregon stumping for Kerry. He also often writes the editorial section of his local paper advocating liberal/progressive causes. Gotta love that man! :toast:

[blue4barb]

81. My dad was an army WW II vet who married my mom when he was home

on leave. (Great wedding photo of him in his uniform.) He recently passed away at 89. He was an independent but he usually voted dem. I was tempted to turn in an absentee ballot for him since I knew he wanted to vote for Kerry, but he always was a stickler for following laws so I didn't. He could have been one of those dead voters we keep hearing about.

This thread is bittersweet for me and for others too I imagine.

[DinahMoeHum]

82. My Dad is a WWII Army vet - Battle of the Bulge. . .

He was with the ill-fated 106th Infantry Division as a radio operator attached to a HQ company in the Belgian town of St. Vith when that battle started. He was captured around December 16, 1944 and spent that winter and early spring in POW camps - he was liberated April 12, 1945. He was given medical discharge shortly thereafter and went onto to college on financial aid that was a predecessor of the GI Bill.

He became an electrical engineer and spent some time in a civilian contracting attachment to the US Army's rocket science program in Huntsville, AL, where they designed and built the "Jupiter-C" rockets that eventually put the US's first satellite in order in January 1958.

He retired 10 years ago and is a member of veteran-POW orgs. Politically, he has played both sides of the aisle, although of late, he has voted Democrat. He can't stand Bush. Neither can my mother.

:kick:

[me b zola]

84. Thank you for the thread, I have much pride in my family

My father is a WWII vet. He was a belly gunner in a B-24, Fifteenth Air Force 455. He was stationed in North Africa, & then in Italy. He has three purple hearts, one of them almost cost him his life. He was (he passed in 1991) a man of courage & integrity and I miss him dearly.

My cousin was an engineman for the navy and was based in Tokyo during the Vietnam conflict. He is now retired Navy.

My husband served 7 years Navy, & then several years in the reserves, where I met him.



I am saddened beyond belief that our country which held such promise has fallen into the hands of thugs & fascists.

[DiverDave]

85. Army Tank Driver here

Missed Vietnam by 2 years
2 uncles in WW2, one captured and tortured by the Japanese.
2 uncles and 2 cousins in Vietnam
My no-account dad was in the marines, undoubtedly fucking off, as he did his whole life...fucken loser.

[Felix Mala]

86. Dad in Korea, Mom in marines

Dad died two years ago and thought GWB was an especially well stacked pile of shit. They were both proud union people who were pushed out of the Republican party for good in the 80's. They worked hard all their lives. Mom, who retired as a teacher, can't talk about what Bush is doing without getting spitting mad.

[slater71]

87. yes my dad and me

My dad in WWII in the navy and I served during Viet Nam. Both are die hard democrats.

[Karenina]

88. Dearest ones...

I pray you will all forgive me for barging into this thread with a rant.
The most authoritarian structures I have personally ever handled are orchestras and 2 cults. I can count my peers who were drafted on one hand. Although I was in the streets, what I learned of Viet Nam came through those who returned, many, too many in body only. My uncle fought in WWII, but died from radioactive exposure in Utah. Another uncle was a high-ranking pilot breaking the color-line in the Air Force. My dearest blood relative is being ground into FUCKING dust as she tries to save lives at the VA.

For some reason, I believe that those who have served hold in their hands the key to rescuing us all from the rapacious, avaricious MIC.
My head spins when I read accounts from General to Grunt, and from all the research I've done for the dear doctor who as a child could keep Bobwhite chicks alive and return them to the wild. How can we continue
(I include myself as my rage cannot be contained and is taking a toll) to allow ourselves to be so heinously ABUSED?

LIES to deploy, insufficient food, WATER, equipment, medical care, insurance scams, benefit cuts, all to fatten the wallets of *scum and anyone who hasn't MUST READ THIS:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/05/01/28_veterans.html

Smedley Butler, Ike, Hackworth, Shinseki, Massey, Benderman, Mari333, SO MANY brave souls yanking on that curtain to reveal the monster at the controls... WHAT WILL IT TAKE for a collective groundswell to rise? 30 casualties a day? nahh... 100? 500???

I WISH I had my wits about me to write calmly and eloquently with documentation but I haven't a serene enough nerve left to accomplish such a massive undertaking. I can only scream to high heaven,

WHAT THE FUCK WILL IT TAKE???

[Wisc Badger]

89. 17 years USN 1973 - 1990

service connected disability also. Submarine duty PN1(SS). Was GOP while on active duty (Dems were not much cared for under Carter or Reagan) was very easy to be conservative while on active duty.

Recovering Republican now (since 2000 - could not stand Clinton).


Also wife USN vet of 10 years HM2.

[11 Bravo]

91. My Dad was a fighter pilot and retired as a Captain in the US Navy

after seeing combat in WWII and Korea, and commanding an aircraft carrier in VietNam. My grandfather was an Army sergeant who went "Over There" in WWI. My great-grandfather was a captain in the Union Army. I served in the US Army and received a battlefield promotion to corporal in the A Shau Valley in 1970. It has been a joke for generations in my family that there is a very thin line between fools and patriots. (And no one can figure out how the Hell I turned out to be a "bleeding-heart librul".)

[ChickMagic]

92. My dad is a WWII vet

and was in the Bataan Death March. He later was a slave in the Mitsubitshi coal mines. He's a total repuke.

[MADem]

93. Yes, as was my father

...and all of my uncles, may they rest in peace.

Democrats all, too!

[Betty]

94. My Dad in WW II

he was a bomber pilot, still going strong. Also, his brother was in the occupation force in Germany after the war, and my Mom's brother was in the Navy during the Kroean war. All of these gentlemen are raving liberals, by the way.

[chieftain]

95. My Father enlisted in the Marines

early in WWII . He was cited for bravery when as a gunner on the USS Chicago he continued to fire as Japanese aircraft sunk his ship and he sustained gunshot wounds to his leg . He was returned to the States for a long recuperation Even though he knew that he would not be ordered to return to a combat zone , he volunteered to go again . This time he was among the landing party at Pelilieu where once again he sustained grievous wounds which necessitated being in a full body cast for months .
My Dad taught me many things about duty and manhood and he taught us how FDR and the Democrats were the hope of the nation . Even though he was born in the South he was a staunch supporter of the Civil Rights Movement . When I hear Limbaugh and the rest of these draft dodging hypocrites question the Democrats' devotion to this country my blood boils . I can only imagine how my Dad would react to King George's latest delusion that " He " planted the flag of freedom in Iraq . I weep for the courageous men and women that this band of thugs send into harms way with no concern for the havoc they cause .
I know my Dad would be telling me to work for a Democratic landslide in "06 and then take the country back . I will honor his memory by doing so .

[leanin_green]

96. Navy Corpsman with Marines 76-80.

Think they'll come after me? I'm only 46. I keep waiting for that letter.

My dad was in the Navy during Korea. Was part of the evacuation of Inchung. I believe he was mostly democratic in his politics. He became Republican after moving to Utah, though, mostly to get along. Kind of like becoming Mormon in order to conduct business successfully.

[FlaGranny]

98. Not me personally,

but my family has the Revolution, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam covered. They've all been Democrats from the time of WWI. Don't know the political parties of the older ones.

[Selatius]

99. Many members of my family fought in Vietnam

You see, we lived there. From the 1940s to the 1970s we fought on and off. The war really tore up my family. Some of us chose to remain behind when the communists took over. Others left. I am the son of refugee parents. Only few of us had any formal military training. Many Vietnamese were guerrilla fighters instead.

Some fought with the VC. Some fought both against the VC and the Diem government and later military governments. We had many disagreements with each other over the best course, but nearly all of us rejected the US presence at the end of the day. Too many of us were being slaughtered under the iron rain of B-52s, not to mention CIA-sponsored death squads that ended up killing many of the innocent along with the guilty.

Tiger Force and the My Lai Massacre are now well known, but for every well-publicized incident, there were many more that went unreported. This turned people against the US. You simply don't bomb people into democracy. The sheer arrogance of running into a nation and declaring that you know what's best for people who simply want to live in peace just rubs us the wrong way. The Chinese have been trying to do that to us for centuries.

Needless to say, invocations of the Vietnam War with the one raging on right now in Iraq is a pretty sensitive spot for many Vietnamese, especially those who survived until the end of the war. It digs up many painful memories for people.

[Karenina]

100. What YOU said!

Same shit, different day. :hug:

[Stand and Fight]

101. Thank you!

I'm glad to see that there are Americans who truly do appreciate my serving in the United States Army. I'm a die-hard Democrat and proud of it. It's people like yourself who really appreciate our service members, because rather than advocating useless and protracted wars you have the good sense to reason things out. The so called compassionate conservatives and Republicans of this country could learn a lot from you when it comes to "supporting the troops".

:yourock:

[mtnsnake]

105. ....and I thank YOU. I'm touched by each & every one of your accounts

posted in this thread, as I'm sure everyone else is, too. So many interesting stories and lessons handed down over the years that have had a major bearing on our lives.

Like you just said, "conservatives and Republicans of this country could learn a lot".....Well they certainly could start their education by reading all the fine accounts by you and all the other proud veterans we have among us here who have their heads in all the right places. I'm just proud to be among you all.

DU is such a diversified place, yet it all points in the proper direction no matter what our background. For anyone who ever needs to be reassured about the goodness of people, they need look no further than all the good people who post on all the various threads of our forum.

[antigone382]

102. My brother is a veteran of Bush's illegal war.

n/t

[alcuno]

103. My dad wanted a basketball not of a football scholarship. He got drafted

into the army instead. NOT a good story to tell at dinner

[GardeningGal]

104. Both parents were WWII veterans

My dad who was a navigator in the war in the Pacific passed away in Feb. 2000. Mom was a flight nurse in the Pacific and passed away in Aug. 2003. They met and married in Hawaii. We still miss them a whole lot.

[Piperay]

106. Father WWII

we were all repugs but when Raygun got in my father absolutely despised him and now is a hardcore Democrat.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

107. My dad is a Korean War Vet, my grandfather (RIP) WWII

two uncles fought in Vietnam.

[98geoduck]

108. Father, Stepfather, and myself a vet.

Stepfather served as frontline Army grunt in Vietnam for 3 years.
I served in the Navy 4yrs as PO2 during the Reagan era.

I've been a lifelong Democrat, and both my Stepfather and Mom are liberal Dems. I heard the REAL horror stories of Vietnam through my stepdad.

Fortunately I served during peacetime, I mean the "The Cold War", when military benefits were slashed and Reagan and Bush Sr. boasted they built the finest military. All of my friends from the Navy despise Bush.
Then again, there was only a 10% retention rate in my Avionics department during Reagan.

[Orsino]

109. Vet and son of vet...

My dad was a butterbar (2nd Lieutenant, you civilians) journalist during the Korean conflict. I was a Desert Storm-era enlisted man and NCO (Signal Corps).

We both out-processed at the same final duty station in Atlanta, more than forty years apart.

[Bryn]

110. My Brother died in Viet Nam War

He was only 20 years old and a Humanitarian. He volunteered to go & lasted only 3 weeks before American helicopter shot him and his troop down by mistake at Hamburger Hill.

Alan Daryl Harvey 1949-1969
Member of US Army ... Screaming Eagle - 101 Division

That's why I chose Eagle for my avatar. He wore it proudly.