End all wars – the BEST way to honor our veterans.
I served in the United States Navy for 22 years – 1975 to 1997. The Cold War was in full bloom (1980s and the Reagan Navy) but our mission in the Navy then was NOT to provoke a war with the Soviets – oh we prepared everyday for one – mock attacks against Soviet assets on land, at sea and in the air. Our Admirals didn’t sail the globe bragging about our capabilities – we knew we would win any conflict and the Soviets knew it too.
There was always a U.S. attack sub up the ass of a Soviet sub – always. If you served on an aircraft carrier back then, and I served on 3 of the best, you always had a Soviet trawler, submarine, surface ship, satellite and aircraft trailing you like remora on a shark. But our talent was keeping an eye on them without starting WWIII.
Peace through power applied by sane commanders. I’m afraid that in today’s climate of constant saber rattling that the reasonable commanders have taken a back seat and have allowed the insane to command (to the highest levels). Our mission back then was to avoid nuclear war at all costs. There is no such thing as limited nuclear war.
We are our strongest when we are NOT at war.
So on this Veteran’s Day, I reflect on my past and the past of our Nation. The best way to honor a veteran? Stop making wars that are unwinnable (they all are after all).
Peace y’all… Chris

On the way up – 1984

On the way out – 1997
Thank you for your service. Happy Veterans Day. My dad was in the Navy and served in Vietnam on a patrol boat, my father-in-law was a Marine turned into a Seal during Vietnam, one grandfather served on the USS Alabama during WWII, and another who was 1st Infantry during WWII. You guys should be thanked daily for sacrifice sacrifice. 😊
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It was an honor to serve my country in the greatest Navy ever. Thanks goes to so many in your family too for their service and sacrifice. I’m thanked everyday by enjoying the liberties our service protected.
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Excellent sentiments, Chris. My dad served in the Royal Navy 1944 to 1946 – he was an aircrafts man on an escort carrier called the HMS Activity…..it was a converted merchant ship.
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Thank you John. Great name for a ship… HMS Activity! I like it.
My ships were: USS Midway, USS Forrestal and the USS John F. Kennedy
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Dad spent his time on the Activity in the Pacific – they were ferrying Corsair aircraft between India and Australia.
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