OK, I've waited until the last possible moment because I would like a few, short suggestions about what to say. I've been invited to be, and will be, one of the featured speakers during Veterans Day ceremonies at The Wall - on an obscure CSPAN channel near you beginning at 1PM ET on the 11th.

I have five minutes.

I don't mind the TV cameras - they are abstract - but the several hundred Veterans who are ALWAYS there, rain or shine, every Memorial and Veterans Day, petrify me. I don't want to let them down or say something stupid.

What do I say after I say, "Welcome Home"? I'm thinking along the lines of honoring living Veterans (as Memorial Day honors those who gave their lives in service), and pressing the point that military service is a privilege, not a right - as well as the moral obligation and repayment for being a citizen of the greatest country in the world.

Please, no political agendae. If I'm not going to promote my own, I'm certainly not going to promote anyone else's!

If you can give me a couple of short suggestions, I'd be more than grateful.

I'll be the old one in the new uniform.

What kind of wall will they build for our most recent war vets?

Cider33;
You were in Vietnam and you saw a great deal of suffering and death. You will know what to say when the time comes. Those that have been in or seen the results of combat know. I would just say that Vietnam Veterans paved the way for our Veterans of today. Just like our Veterans of today will pave the way for tomorrow's Veterans. The circle of Warriors will never be broken. Good luck girl. You will do just fine.

Thanks, Duster6.

RT, "they" didn't build a wall - WE built our own memorial, as did the Korean and WWII Vets. Don't expect it to be easier for more recent Veterans.

Cider, I am married to a Vietnam Vet, retired from the Corps. We talk about that war a lot.... It is really nice that the Vietnam Vets today are getting "welcome home" now. But as Dennis says, it still hurts.

I can't wait to see you on TV. Just incase I miss it, will you find the link and put it on here.

quote:

Originally posted by reducetension:
What kind of wall will they build for our most recent war vets?

Just a word of caution, STAY ON TOPIC.

Sharon,
You will do well! You could mention how the United States expresses it's gratitude for your valor!

quote:

Originally posted by Cider33_Alpha:
Thanks, Duster6.

RT, "they" didn't build a wall - WE built our own memorial, as did the Korean and WWII Vets. Don't expect it to be easier for more recent Veterans.

Well, that was a suggestion, as you asked. And your reply is certainly the answer. It wasn't meant to be sarcasm. Apparently if flew over a few heads?
btw The only place I care to visit in DC is the Wall. I've cried my eyes out at the mobile ones when they have come around. It’s my generation as well.
Thus, my suggestion as topic filler fits the topic as asked. It’s up to the imagination of the hearer to work or not work with it.

Cider you can't go wrong following Shakespeare's HENRY V St. Crispen's Day Speech (C. 1599). The concept of the brotherhood of warriors is timeless.

Thanks for the clarification, RT.

Sand Flea, Bergy, RMW - thank you for your suggestions. If I can get the link, I'll post it. Not a hot link, of course!

Hey Sharon,
No problem, yer welcome! Hit don't mnatter to me ifn yall post hot links. The mods don't take kindly to it ifn you don't obey the rules.

Mods, I'm jist funnin, yalls are great. I know I'm a bad boy from time to time. I loves yall!

Mom, likes to spank me, actually she gits pleasure from it! I think she likes it,cuz I'm a Canuck!

Cider, as a Vet yourself I'm sure you will do well representing all of us. 5 minutes isn't very long to speak of so many things. Please make a hard copy and post it here. Thank You and God Bless.

Good idea, mikey. I'll have so many hard copies AND electronic copies it's not even funny - so I WILL post one here, FWIW.

Here are some suggestions:


We are here today to honor those would fought and returned, but to start off, I would like to take a moment of silence to remember those who did not return, and those who have since passed because of the effects of the war.

This is a war that continues to ravage its soldiers. The effects of Agent Orange and the physiological effects of the war continue to haunt those that returned. We as a nation must continue to honor and meet the needs of our brave heroes of past wars, and remember that the mistakes of our government must be answered with proper care for those that suffer their horrors.

It is up to us as Veterans of this war, and those who have served elsewhere in place and time, to make sure that we continue to meet the obligations to our fellow service men and women. Each one of you has the ability to help ensure that the needs of our aging and young veterans continued to be met and valued by our great country.

I would suggest that you make it personal in nature. My experience has been that not all realy support the military past, present, or probably futre but take it for granted. As others here have said: who really built the walls? Do it from your heart.

---- Cider, you can`t go wrong if you can get a one liner from GWG..(He & Mystical are busy moving).. If it were me up there, I would definitely give thanks and a salute to the "GIANTS" who dropped what they were doing, grabbed their rifles, only to be executed on the spot, hanged without trials, drowned, burned with their families in their homes, starved to death on prison-ships, and found frozen solid at their posts still holding their weapons... you know, the Giants from 1776 who started it ALL.. and the thousands who are still in un-known & un-marked graves..we all must remember, without those first Vets, NONE of us would be standing here right now..///.. you`ll find the right words, just keep it short..good luck..

Though it is relatively early in the US, it is very late here - nearly midnight, so I'm going to crash.

Thank you all SO MUCH for your input thus far. It has helped more than you know.

I'll be back on tomorrow, appreciative as always for your help. After about 5PM ET tomorrow, I'll be off until whatever connections I can manage in CONUS on/after 5 NOV.

Thank you all again - please continue, though I won't respond until tomorrow morning, my time (Central European Time). Gotta sleep, ya know?

-Cider.

Cider, perhaps the Mission Statement of the DVG might provide some food for thought?


We are the Derelict Veterans Group. We are new, we are small, but we can blossom into an organization and do well for our fellow veterans. After all, who would you trust more? Those who have standard names, or a Group that openly states, Cast Aways!" We may never get bigger than one chapter; we may never have an office; we may never have a membership of any consequence, and we may never have our "Root Beer" cafe. BUT WE WILL GET AND DRAW ATTENTION TO THE CAUSE FOR WHICH WE EXIST - OUR FELLOW MAN!! WE WILL BE REMEMBERED. Who could forget any organization, no matter how small, with A NAME LIKE OURS? IF YOU REMEMBER OUR NAME, YOU WILL REMEMBER OUR CAUSE, AND THEN YOU'LL REMEMBER TO CARE FOR VETERANS FROM COAST TO COAST, NORTH AND SOUTH, IN THE U.S.A. Our name, as unique as it is, stands and identifies each of it's founding members. We may, therefore, all be round pegs that cannot be placed in round holes. It also stands for our character. While we are part and parcel of mainstream society, we, as a Group, shall always stand together, whether in harmony or dissent, with our Country's Leadership. In keeping with our ONE CHARTER, we are our Brother's Keeper, and above all things, we stand united in honor of our Soldier's service and sacrifice, and serve to remind Our Great Nation of their duty to embrace her heroes. In so doing, give Honor, Truth and Comfort to the words carved in Stone, "TO CARE FOR HIM WHO HAS BORNE THE BATTLE, HIS WIDOW AND HIS ORPHAN." WE, AS THE "DERELICT VETERANS GROUP" SHALL, AS OUR SOLE MISSION, SERVE UPON ALL THE ADVANCEMENT OF THIS NOBLE AND JUST CAUSE. Derelict Veterans Group cares and supports our brothers in or out of uniform, advances the cause for just and quality life compensation, recognizes that we are our Brothers Keeper and must do all that we can to advance his cause on behalf of, and in the interest of, all veterans, past, present and future. A listening ear, a caring heart, an open mind and an extended hand may be all I can offer, but it is yours without charge or judgment.

Please be sure to mention that YOU area a Vietnam Veteran. There were not many females and it “could be assumed” you don’t empathize.

I laughed a little and cried a lot on this thread:
When were you in the war. . .

and thank you for your service *and* that you continue to go above and beyond the call of duty!! Safe travels ~ Godspeed!!

Start with your own experiences, they count a lot. Humor always loosens the crowd fast.
What does a Vet say whem someone say's "Welcome home"? I think that a few get stumped there. I just say "It was a honor to serve" which is the truth and it lets me remember my country will always come first and it's an honor to have been a part of the whole machine.
Connect those lost to the war as the people they were Brothers, Sister's, Uncles, Aunts, Father's Son's and in the case of most of those Men and Women you will be speaking to of the "Best Friend" lost in that war.
Make note of the positive that came out of that War, there is some if you look for it.
I'm no Speechmaker but those things seem to be a common theme among the Vet's I meet.
Good luck with the whole endeavour, wish I could be there to see it. Since my Grandson was frantic to have me attend his school's Veterans appreciation day I will be needed there.