Best wishes and many honorable thoughts... this Memorial Day Weekend!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeff,

That's a very nice memorial!  Whereabouts in Leesville is it?  I don't remember seeing it when I was stationed at Fort Polk 1996-98.  I lived in the Chaporal Apartments behind the Stanley's on LA 8.

It's on Third Street, directly across the street from the Post office. BTW, Stanley's Super D is no longer there. It's Market Basket now. And the Stanley's that you're thinking about, which was the old Piggly Wiggly store, is now a Christian Center.

[tangerine-jack]

I'd just as soon not have my name on any memorial, seems to me it's bad ju-ju.

Here is a model train related topic to keep our Canadian friend happy; I spent most of the day boxing up my G scale trains and outdoor buildings in preparation for deploying to OIF next week.  Tonight I will close down my HO scale goods and pack away the Lionel's into plastic storage containers in the attic.   Tomorrow morning after church I am putting together a "to go" model building kit of tools and paints for the very, very long days and nights I'll be spending trying not to think about my family and friends. I can usually build some pretty sharp models with leftovers from the motor pool and the warehouse packaging.  On the real Memorial Day I will not be going to a picnic, I will be packing my A and B bag, my ruck sack and my green goodie box.  Good enough model train relating for you?

[JPowell]

T-J - Enjoy this weekend as much as you can w/ family and friends and stay safe my friend while you're overseas.

[selector]

Crandell,

David's post was annoying, but I personally wasn't all that offended.  Among the rights we serve to protect are the right to be ignorant and the right to be self-righteous.  David was simply exercising those rights, especially the latter.

I have to remind myself of that when people give me guff about having served in an unpopular war.  I usually respond by reminding them that the warriors don't chose the war; the elected civilian leadership does.

But in this case David's response was, to say the least, ironic, given his recent activity in these forums.

We see it the same way, Dave.  When there is no apparent cost to what you have, you tend not to value it.  David's a smart guy...he'll figure it out.

-Crandell

[tcwright973]

Tangerine-Jack,

I wish you God's Speed on your next deployment, and look forward to your safe return.

Tom

Viet Nam Veteran 66-67

[Canondale61]

Gentlemen I feel we misunderstand poor David. He is not an individual who wishes to go against the norm, what mature adults feel is normal self decency and respect. He just wishes to create turmoil and discontent. Crandell this is the only time I have ever disagreed with you Davids behavior does not stoop as low as upchucks but lower since he is an adult not a child.

To all that have served and those that have given the ultimate sacrafice Thank you and god bless, I get tears every time I hear of another life lost in the mideast.

Tangerine Jack take care be careful if you can access the forum while overseas please check in and tell us your safe. If you need anything please post it to the forum and I for one will get it sent to you.

Kevin

[ShadowNix]

Wow........

Selector....this discussion doent belong on these forums.  Where do we draw the line?  How about a thread on the NHL playoffs?  Or a good hearty discussion on Global Warming?  Or a discusion on the horrible 'blockbuster' movies we have had lately.

I support our Canadian troops in Afganastan and abroad, but this type of thread doen't belong on a Model Train forum.  Plain and simple.  And for you to sit there and tell me that this is personal?  Please....get a life.

David

David,

Please stop.  I would argue it does belong.  I began this as a thank you to those that allow me the FREEDOM to post here, live free and PURSUE model railroading.  This are my thoughts, my post and heck if you don't have anything good to say, please don't say it, Dave.  Thanks again to all the vets, current, before and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so I can have my freedom and MODEL Railroad. 

On another note, some mentioned having had model railroads at their posts... I would love to see pic's of the portable units, etc....

Brian

[Dave Vollmer]

Shadow,

I understand there was (or maybe still is) a small HO model railroad club at BIAP (Baghdad Int'l Airport).  I wish I'd had the foresight to bring some trains with me too.  My base camp has since closed (we were near Sadr City).

[ShadowNix]

Any idea how big?... that is pretty cool!  I would think most portable units would be N...

Brian

[Dave Vollmer]

I think they ordered one of those Woodland Scenics 4x8 layout kits.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

You can get quite a bit into one of those.

[jguess733]

I wonder if that would be the first War Zone model railroad club? I tried to talk the COB into letting me build a small N scale layout in Missile Compartment Lower Level, back when I was on the boat, but he wouldn't let me.

T-J, be careful over there. Try to pop in from time to time to let us know how you're doing, and if you need anything. My wife and I just sent a giant care package to my cousin.

[SteamFreak]

Just wanted to throw my hat into the ring and thank those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. It may be a day to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, but it's also important to thank our active military and veterans alike. We love and support you.

And for those with a problem with this thread, if it weren't for those people this forum (not to mention our country and way of life) wouldn't exist, making the argument academic.

Really tacky, David.

[lvanhen]

...not Model Railroad related...

David

GET STUFFED!!

 

[tangerine-jack]

Thanks.  Don't worry about me guys, this ain't my first rodeo.  I'm like a crusty old piece of leather, slightly worn but tough as iron.  I'll be fine.

I don't always agree with everything you all might say or want to do on a layout, but I have received a vast quantity of useful information.  I am cataloguing it all so when I return I can start construction of my new HO attic layout based on the Eastern Shore RR of VA.

I make it a point not to feed the trolls or involve myself in online disputes, but I feel that I must make a point.  I did not, I say again, DID NOT work hard, sacrifice birthdays, anniversaries and holidays, eat bug infested food in 3 feet of mud in some nowhere place for the free speech rights of one single Canadian, Englishman, Frenchman or Zimbabwian, no, not one.  I did it for AMERICANS and Americans only.  Only an American citizen has the right to bad mouth a US veteran or our holiday, people from other countries can lick my desert cammo boot.  If I offended you with this comment then too bad, meet me next week in Kuwait and we'll talk about it face to face.

 

"IT IS NOT THE CRITIC WHO COUNTS, NOT THE ONE WHO POINTS OUT HOW THE STRONG MAN STUMBLED OR HOW THE DOER OF DEEDS MIGHT HAVE DONE THEM BETTER.  THE CREDIT BELONGS TO THE MAN WHO IS ACTUALLY IN THE ARENA, WHOSE FACE IS MARRED WITH SWEAT AND DUST AND BLOOD; WHO STRIVES VALIANTLY; WHO ERRS AND COMES SHORT AGAIN AND AGAIN; WHO KNOWS THE GREAT ENTHUSIASMS, THE GREAT DEVOTIONS, AND SPENDS HIMSELF IN A WORTHY CAUSE; WHO, IF HE WINS, KNOWS THE TRIUMPH OF HIGH ACHIEVEMENT; AND WHO, IF HE FAILS, AT LEAST FAILS WHILE DARING GREATLY, SO THAT HIS PLACE SHALL NEVER BE WITH THOSE COLD AND TIMID SOULS WHO KNOW NEITHER VICTORY NOR DEFEAT"

GOD BLESS THE USA!

[lvanhen]

How long will I have to wait till you can stop refering to my 3 hours of weakness?  I have apologized in the past, but people like Lothar, Dave V, SD60M and others keep throwing stones my way every chance they get.  Not to mention the multiple nasty emails I have gotten from Lothar pertaining to my posting on these forums.  But I just egnored them and moved on....aparently some people cant.

David

IT SEEMS THAT ON THIS AND MOST OTHER THREADS YOU TAKE AN ANTAGONIST TACK.  IT APPEARS THAT YOUR "THREE HOURS OF WEAKNESS" IS MORE OF A PERSONALITY "QUIRK".  IF YOU INSIST ON BEING UNPLEASANT, WHY NOT TRY DOING IT ELSEWHERE.  DAVE AND MANY OTHER PARTICIPANTS ON THIS FORUM ARE AND HAVE DONE HONERABLE DUTY TO OUR COUNTRY.  WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, OTHER THAN BEING A THORN IN THE SIDES OF MANY ON THE FORUM.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING NICE OR CONSTRUCTIVE TO SAY, SHUT THE UP!!!

[willy6]

1972-1992 US NAVY, Missile Technician,Submarines, retired

[tomikawaTT]

USAF, 1957-1982 - mostly on the far side of the Pacific

Chuck (participant, South East Asia war games)

[MilwaukeeRoad]

My grandpa fought in the Korean war for America and guarded the rail yards. Sometimes even got to drive the trains. Many pictures. Taught me how a steam locomotive worked when I was 3. Now you understand why I'm hooked on trains.

[talon104]

  I cant say I did much, Served in the Air Force ( pursian Gulf War) . I Say I did my Four ,A war, and a wife! The first wife in question couldnt handle it..; Now, I fix the jets That train the future pilots to do our Bizzzzzz.

Thanks to all of you that have served !

Chris

[BRJN]

I have not served; I could not get past the physical (Coke bottle bottoms for glasses).

Thank you to all those who have done / are doing the hard work that allows me to enjoy an luxury-filled care-free life.

BRJN

[WCfan]

...not Model Railroad related...

David

GET STUFFED!!

 

My great uncle Fought in WW2, many, many good storys. He was really in to model planes, so once for his burthday, I got him a Milwaukee road caboose. He told me he got really frustrated putting it together!

[loathar]

tangerine-jack-

Stay safe!!!   GOD bless!

[AggroJones]

My sister is currently in the Navy...

[JohnT14808]

Thanks for the reminder, ShadowNix....US Navy Retired here (E-5).  I served from November 1968 to December 1972 - medically retired. Got to see Hawaii; then Greece right after the six day war. Was stationed at a NATO base on the island of Crete in the Med when I was injured.

Thank you to those serving today. Us older vets sometimes forget that todays Army is all volunteer, so I give thanks for those that serve.

[twhite]

My father:  Served with Patton's Engineers in the North African and Italian Campaigns of WWII. 

Me:  Pianist and choral accompanist with the 589th Air Force Band in Amarillo, Texas.  Reason being--I joined in 1962, hit the Cuban Missile Crisis, was out before Vietnam exploded. 

I really don't consider myself a Veteran, but I've got nothing but admiration for my father and everyone else who has sacrificed themselves for this country since its inception.  They fought for the liberty that I still enjoy. 

Prayers to all of our servicemen. 

Tom  

[jeffrey-wimberly]

The US once had a section that wanted to seperate itself from the rest of the nation, and did. It was the CSA, the Confederate States of America. The United States government wasn't going to stand for this, and rightly so. After much political debate and bickering the southern states let their cannon do their talking for them, at Ft. Sumpter. After nearly 5 years of unrelenting war, the south was defeated, but at a terrible price. Was it worth it? Yes. Had the union remained divided, the US would not be the nation it is today. Ancestors of mine, both European immigrants and Native Americans alike, fought on both sides. Many were killed. They died fighting for what they believed in. Some fought for the Union, some for the Confederacy. Today, it doesn't matter what side they were on, except to the historians. They are all veterans, Union and Confederate alike, they are remembered as American veterans, and that is how I will remember them on Memorial Day. As American veterans who died for their country, to defend the rights and beliefs that were important to them, to defend their homeland, their freedom and their way of life. As you look around at all that you have, at your family, your home, I ask you, what is more important than that?

[train18393]

Another railroad link. My father (now Deceased) worked on the railroad for the transportation batallion in North Africa, Italy France and Germany. He started out as a Corpral because he went in as a railroad employee. When he returned from WWII he again worked for the C&O, and retired from there. He saw my future father-in-laws destroyer get sunk when he was stationed in Algers overlooking the harbor. Of course they didn't know each other. He survived (now deceased) the shellling and sinking of the USS Lansdale while my dad watched. Small world.  My wife and I figured that connection out later in life. I served 24 years in the Air Force and never went to any wars. I did fight Jane Fonda and her anti-war demonstrating group off at the Gates of Wright-Patterson AFB as a SP Augmentee in about 1972.  I appreciate everyone whom did serve in wars very much. There is hardly a day goes by I don't think about those who gave all so I could be free. And by the way I did see railroads at most of the bases I was stationed at, including a Russle wedge snow plow and a Brownhoist crane at Loring AFB Maine. There you go this is a railroad post.

[Dave Vollmer]

To everyone on these forums that is a vet, I apologize.  My initial comment was misled and I feel in retrospect that It shouldnt have been posted.  Sometimes my filter doesnt work.

As a Canadian, I do not have as much national pride as an American would have.  Just lool at our country, it has a provence that wants to seperate because it feels it has a special culture...  The military isnt as much a part of the Canadian culture as it is in the American one.  Not to belittle Canada's involvment overseas as peacekeepers....we have a great world wide reputation for well trained well mannered troops, first class( even when equiped with 3rd class equipment)

Again, I am sorry.

David

David,

Thanks for that.  That couldn't have been easy to write.

For the record, I did serve with a handful of Royal Canadian Air Force airmen while peacekeeping in Bosnia.  I found them to be wonderfully profesional and very friendly.  They were doing your nation proud.

[loathar]

I guess all the non-Vets that took offence don't matter.