“My uncle Carl was a medic in World War II, he served in Italy, he was gone from home 37 months, the war had been over for a month, he had not come home, his family thought he was dead, but one day, somebody was heard singing and dancing on the porch, praise God it was Uncle Carl, he survived, he didn’t get to fly home on a plane, he had to ride a slow boat all the way across the ocean, praise God he survived.”
—Norman Chester Dahlonega Georgia
Pap served in the Marines. He taught my brothers and me to be thankful for those who serve for the good of us all. Pap served during peace time, but still lost fellow soldiers to various accidents. Those deaths haunted Pap for the rest of his life.
While stationed in South America Pap contracted malaria. He said he was so sick he barely knew where he was, and eventually lost consciousness. Thankfully he awoke on a Naval hospital ship and was soon well enough to return to his post.
The Deer Hunter’s father, Papaw Tony, served in the Army. He served during the Vietnam era, but was never sent to the area. He spent most of his service time in Panama.
Pap’s youngest brother, my uncle Henry, served in the Army too. But unlike Papaw Tony he spent his entire time in the Vietnam conflict. I know he suffered some harrowing events and has suffered health consequences from agent orange exposure he received.
I used to spend a lot of time at the VA Hospital in Oteen with Pap. Whether he was there for a clinic visit or an extended hospital stay I always enjoyed listening to the other veterans tell their stories.
It was amazing how they seemed to know who belonged to which branch of service just by sitting near each other for a few minutes.
I would often look at the veterans, many who were elderly, and think—they made it. They came back home and the loved ones who hover around them in hopes that their pain will be lessened are evidence that most of them went on to have a good life. Since then my wish for all those who serve is that they come home to live long lives surrounded by family and friends who love them and someday they become the old vets at the VA talking about their past service with their comrades.
To all Veterans: I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is one of Pap’s cds: The Wilson Brothers – At John C. Campbell Folk School & on Radio. To be entered in the giveaway leave a comment on this post. Giveaway ends November 16, 2024. To pick up your own copy of the cd and see the other cds we have available visit this page.
Last night’s video: Matt is Impervious to the Elements, Cast Iron, White Sweet Potato Taste, & Tearing Out the Garden.
Tipper
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so thankful for all of veterans who sacrificed so much for our freedom that we should hold so dear. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
On Mondays I get to help at my church and there are three men who are veterans who also volunteer, two in their 70’s, one in his 60’s. I was able to give two of them ( one was out due to eye surgery) both a hug yesterday and tell them thank you for serving our country which as several others have said just seems inadequate for what they and their family sacrifice(d) in serving. My dad served two years in the army in the fifty’s right after he and my mother were married. The only thing I remember him ever saying about that time was that the war was over by the time he got over there. Thank you to everyone who has or is serving our great nation and kept or keeps us safe, Numbers 6: 24, 25, 26.
My uncle Carl was killed in the Korean conflict at a very young age. He was handsome and brave. I had his purple heart but it was in a large cedar chest and washed away in a flood.
My maternal grandfather (a Purple Heart recipient) and his brother both served during World War II. Both of them passed away from cancer before I was born. I also had ancestors who served during the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and on both sides during the Civil War.
I want to say thank you to all of the Veterans who might be reading this.
Thank you all for sharing these tender & heartfelt tributes to those who have served our country in so many ways . Love and prayers for you all .
Thank you for sharing your family members’ service stories. My grandfather was in the Navy during WWII in the Pacific. My father was in the Army in Vietnam. My brother in law is in the Marines, stationed in Japan right now, but will be retiring in the spring. My niece and her husband were in the Coast Guard. I am grateful to all who have served and are currently serving our country in the Armed Forces.
Thank you to all who have served and who serve today, especially those who served in combat.
I never served and it is one of few regrets I have.
Of my 5 brothers, 4 served. One was a private in the 45th ID and was at the liberation of Dachau, before his 19th birthday. He was enroute to serve in the invasion of Japan when the war ended. The other 3 served in the ’50s, after the Korean War.
My oldest sister’s husband was in the Navy during WWII and saw combat in the Pacific. My father-in-law was a private in WWII and fought at Remagen Bridge.
I grew up among WWII veterans.
My husband (God rest his soul) served two tours in Korea. He used to laugh and tell the story about how after his 1st tour he put in for “anywhere on earth except Korea” was sent back to within 10 miles of where he had been before, remaining there until the end of the war. Otherwise, he did not like to talk about that part of his life very much.
I am thankful for all the veterans and what they have done for me and this country. I sent my uncle in TN a ” thanks for serving” gif this morning. He served in Vietnam and also suffers complications from agent orange exposure.
Thankful for the service of all our veterans. May God bless each and every one.
I was privileged to serve in the army with so, so many fine young men and young ladies. I had no aspirations to be a career soldier; however, it was a very rewarding experience for me. I spent 14 years in other countries which included two tours in Vietnam; I served in the 1st Infantry Div and also as an Advisor to the Vietnamese on my second tour. I did attend a Vietnamese language course prior to this deployment. I was honored to serve with many of America’s very best young people. Today, I remember all who served in each and every branch of this nation’s armed forces. You will always be very, very special to me.
My Daddy served during World War II. He served in Germany and fought on the Rhine River. Daddy never wanted to talk about the war even though as kids we would often ask him. I know it was a brutal fight but when Daddy came home and married my Mother they set about making the best of life and having a loving family. Daddy was a friendly man and had lots of good friends. He would always lend a helping hand to whoever was in need. My mother was a Rosie The Revietter and worked on the bombler planes during the war. That’s where she met Daddy when he was serving in the Army at Fort Benning. They lived a good life together but endured many hardships along the way. Life wasn’t easy but it was good for our family in many ways. I am thankful for my Daddy who bravely served in the Army and for all the Veterans that also served.
I am commenting too much, but after reading Ron’s comment about community and unity, I had this thought. While we are remembering and honoring the veterans today, I think we should also remember and pray for their families and the suffering, heartaches and scarifies they go through while their loved ones are away serving especially the ones that have or had members serving in war times and the ones that have lost a family member in these wars.
hi all hope your all well your veterans day over there is the same thing as our day over here which is called anzac day and celebrares our soldiers in the new zealand and australian forces during wars and is over here in new zealand held in april
This was such a great post. The way you worded everything was just right. I wish more people would remember the sacrifices so many people have made.
Thank you for your service , to all the veterans out there. Hid bless you & God bless America!
My son in law is currently serving in the Army. I just sent him an image message wishing him a Happy Veterans Day.
Love Paps music!!
Happy Veterans Day to all the veterans past and present.
So thankful to those who fight for our freedom and protect our beautiful USA!
Thank you to all the Veterans who faithfully serve our country, past and present. Thank you to all military families that support their love ones and have sacrificed so much along with them. ❤️
My daughter is a veteran, serving 21 years in the US Air Force with a tour in the Persian Gulf (Bahrain) during the Iraq War. Needless to say, I am so proud of her. Recently, when I was researching my family history, I was so excited to find the story of one of my ancestors, Captain Samuel Saxon, who served in the Revolutionary War. There are many others in my family who fought in different wars, and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to all of them, but especially those who fought for our freedom in the Revolutionary War. May we never forget the sacrifices they made for the freedom we enjoy.
Morning, Tipper! My husband served in the army, my dad was in the army, uncles in navy and marines during W2, my great nephew is in the Air Force and will be done serving in March. My husband and I taught our three girls to honor our Veterans. Our youngest daughter married a 24 years career airman and twice he was sent to the sandbox. Without these brave men and women we would not be living the life we live. They spend time away from their families to keep us all safe. God bless every one of those serving and our vets! I will hope I win Pap’s CD, and if not, I may have to just order one because I love his singing, especially the hymns. May God bless and keep you and your family and all your many fans!
Our grandson Conner is now serving in the Army his second term. He is an Assistant Chaplin. When he left, our great grand son was just a baby in arms. Jonah just had his 2nd Birthday. Now we await our new great granddaughter. Please lift her up in prayer as she al.ost died giving birth to Jonah and is scared. My brother served overseas as well as several of our family members. When you don’t have a vested member in your family, you tend sometimes to forget the service men and women. They give up a lot. My grandson just graduated Jungle. I pray to God for peace and that he never has to use what he has learned. I pray peace upon Israel. May we all give glory to our heavenly father for allowing us freedom. God bless
My husband was sent to Viet Nam in 1970, a little over 2 months after our first child was born. He was in the Navy and ran boats up and down the Saigon river. When he came home our little girl didn’t know who he was. She would point to his picture on the piano…..that was “DaDa”.
I am so thankful to all our veterans.
My Daddy served in the Army in Alaska. He told us about the bitter cold and the snow so deep they had to dig tunnels from the barracks to the kitchen until some melted. He brought me a little Alaskan girl doll, with a real fur coat and little fur boots. I thank everyone for their service to our country. Freedom is not free, but we have it thanks to their heroic efforts. I also remember in prayer all the ones that didn’t come home, and their families. Love to all and Granny too.
Kathy, read my first comment about my Daddy, he also served his “over seas” duty in Alaska. I guess this was in 1945-46. He always talked about how beautiful Alaska was and always wanted to go back.
My daddy served in the Army then came home and joined the Navy with two of his brothers. All of this was during World War II. He married my mama during his time in the Navy. One of my mama’s brothers made a career in the Air Force during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Her other brother was in the Navy. My father-in-law and his two brothers served in the Army during World War II and the Korean War. They all made it back home safe. Daddy didn’t much talk about his time served but on occasion he would mention how horrific it was and how sorry for his friends that didn’t make it back home. May God Bless all Veterans. We thank you for your service.
How are we honoring veterans by paying people who work in governments and financial intuitions to stay home today? Wouldn’t it be better to spend that money on veterans who really need our help? Why not “put your money where your mouth is”?
Thank God for those willing to serve to protect us. We listen to Pap & Paul on YouTube. Beautiful harmony!
Thank you to all military personnel & their families
My Dad was in the Pacific in WW2,my brother was Army as well as a door gunner in Vietnam. So Proud of them.
My husband joined the army right out of high school during the Vietnam era
and received orders to ship out near Christmas of that year to Vietnam. He got his shots and his fatigues and was shipped to Washington state to Fort Lewis from where he would leave for Vietnam. The base was trying to close down for Christmas so they changed his orders to stay there for a while. He was assigned to a job there and stayed there until he received orders for a chance at officers training school. Right behind those orders were orders for Vietnam, but since the other orders preceded the Vietnam orders by one day he was allowed to go to OFS. He did not like being in boot camp all over again so he opted out of that and returned to Fort Lewis where he served out his three years. What a blessing for a seventeen year old fresh out of school! We thank God for this great blessing many times over!!
My husband’s grandfather served in the army and gave his life at D-Day when my father-in-law was just a few months old. I’ve often wondered how that has affected the generations he left behind. His widow remarried and I don’t think his son ever felt like he truly fit in to the “new” family. I’m sure that, in turn, affected his relationships with his own wife and children, etc. I don’t guess we’ll ever know, this side of eternity, but once we’re Home, it won’t really matter any more.
My daddy was in the Navy & my late husband and one of his brothers were in the Army. My husband served during Vietnam but never had to go over there to fight. We constantly thanked our Lord for allowing him to stay home during that time as we saw & knew so many who did not return alive and those that did return had so many mental & health issues for the rest of their lives.
I thank each & every veteran for their service no matter what job they had during their time served. It took every one of them to protect our country & freedoms that we now have.
this Veteran’s Day is especially meaningful. Although my dad served in the Army during WWII and in the Guards afterward and many other relatives served in war and peacetime, this year we just lost one of those veterans, suddenly and unexpectedly not two weeks ago. my sister in law Pattie. she was a retired Air Force veteran, decorated combat medic who served during Desert Storm so today is just a little bit more for us.
Jeanne-so sorry you lost her.
thank you
So sorry for your loss Miss Jeanne. A belated thanks to Miss Pattie for her service. She was a hero in my eyes. May she rest well in the arms of the Lord through eternity. I’d also like to thank my own husband who was a A member of the US AIR FORCE for over 21 years and was many times in harms way due to his job. I’m so grateful he made it back from missions he flew on the aircraft they were flying in. To all veterans we are truly grateful for you serving your country no matter when or where you served or whatever branch. God bless and watch over you all.
I don’t think that we can truly appreciate all of the sacrifices that military personnel and their families have to make. We are only safe because of them defeating other nations from taking over all of us. God Bless all Veterans!
Between local events, Helene recovery and now Veteran’s Day I thought about how the word “community” contains the word “unity”. Veterans have the one common bond of service regardless of what branch or where served. But the one bond multiples and gets woven into stronger ties as the in-common features increase. I did not serve in the military but I wonder if something they have that I do not is a much more finely-honed appreciation of what makes and keeps unity. Simple thanks seem so little. Today I am reminded, freedom is not free, nor cheap, nor easy either to get or to keep. To do those things there is a unity of costs for us all with ever-higher honors to those who gave the more starting with those who gave time and separation from loved ones and increasing up to those who gave their all.
My Dad served as a radio operator on the Naval Destroyer Escort Robert Hastings during WWII. He was barely 18 when Pearl Harbor was attacked and was eager to enlist. He had a rib removed as a child due to bad case of pleurisy. Every branch of service turned him down and he begged his doctor to write him a letter claiming he was fit to serve. The Navy accepted him and he spent his entire tour of duty in the south pacific. He didn’t share a lot about his service, but did tell of receiving the news over the radio that the war was over. Dad is no longer with us but I do have a few pictures of his time in the Navy. I remember him and all who served today.
We can never thank veterans enough for their service, so I will just say…THANK YOU…THANK YOU…THANK YOU! And may God Bless you and your families always!
My Dad and all of his brothers served in WW11 in several branches. My daughter served 4 years in the Air Force during the war with Iraq. Like Randy, I was too young for Korea and to old for Viet Nam so I wasn’t drafted. Instead I served in God’s Army. (and still do) I make it a point all during the year to thank veterans any way I can, by paying for their meal, their groceries, etc.
Thanks to all of the Veterans who laid down their lives to protect our US of America.
God bless all our veterans !
I enjoyed last nights video with you and Matt just relaxing outside.
Your property is beautiful! I moved away from a similar property when my husband passed and I miss the peace and joy of living in the woods !
My dad was in the Navy during WWII serving in the Pacific. I didn’t know till just a few years ago that the ship he served on was involved in the liberation of the Phillipines.
Thank you to all our veterans, past and present.
Thankful for all the Veterans! We are so blessed!
My so many greats grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War, another 1812 and a great grandpa died in the Civil War. My grandpa was in WWI, sufferin his whole life from the effects of frostbite while in the trenches in Europe. My dad was also in Europe in WWII. Both served in the Army. My husband was also in the Army and went to Vietnam as an “adviser” before it was called a war. He suffered from Agent Orange related problems and PTSD. My one son was in the Navy, daughter in the Coast Guard. They fortunately saw no war. My grandson was in the Air Force in the Middle East. He’s been fighting brain cancer for the last 10 years.
I’m thankful our country has a day of remembrance for all of our men and women who served their country. So on this day I too add my thanks.
My father was in the merchant Marines and used to describe some of his adventures. He described the first time he was in a storm on a ship how it looked like the ocean was going to swallow the ship and then be hoisted at the top of the wave and feel like you were on top of a mountain. He wasn’t in any battles but learned a lot on the ship which helped him get a good job later. One of his brothers was in the army and saw fighting but escaped injury(s). My father-in-law was in the Navy and used to tell of fighting off the Japanese planes with guns as they shot at the ship and how these planes barely missed their ship. He also escaped injury(s). All are gone now and how I do miss them especially my Daddy. My husband did not get drafted into the Vietnam War. We were married in 1968 and had our first child in 1969, so he escaped serving. I lost a couple of school mates in 1967. One was my age, and we were in a lot of classes together and I used to sit right next to him in study hall. Ricky was his name. He was killed in the war. The other young man was a couple of years older than me, but I saw and knew of him in high school. I salute all the veterans and thank them for their service.
We appreciate and honor our veterans!
My dad was in the army for 6 years and loved it, my husband’s father was as well. We also had uncles who served during WWII and we currently have a son and grandson who are in the military. We also have several friends and extended family members who have served or are currently serving. We love our veterans and are so thankful for their service to our country!
Certainly a day to be thankful. Today I am thankful for our Veterans for their service to our country & their sacrifices! They have sacrificed so much for our freedom, God Bless them all!
Saying thank you for your service doesn’t seem enough when our veterans have defended our democracy-so proud to be an American
Tipper, many daily thanks to your posts regarding family, friends, and the ways of the mountains. I enjoy your ministry each morning. My dad was a Army vet of 20 years and was wounded in the Philippines during WWII. I served in the Navy and my son served in the Army.
I look forward to the day with no more wars while being with our Lord. Keep up the great work.
Ray Noland
My dad served in WWII and was sent overseas to fight. He served under General Patton’s Third Army, 5th Division, 10th Infantry, 1st Battalion Headquarters. My dad was a messenger, which meant he had to run with messages to another section, with bullets flying all around. He was in many battles such as the Battle of the Bulge. No matter where your soldier was stationed, they are all hero’s in my book, especially the ones that never came home. God Bless them all.
May God bless all the veterans! I agree, a beautiful prayer is that all who serve come home to the love and care of family for long happy lives.
We had a special program yesterday at church honoring 50 veterans for serving our country. Some even wore their dress uniforms and looked very handsome!
A very big thank you to all the veterans today and every day for our freedom.
My small country church also has a special service and breakfast each year to honor our veterans. All of the members that served during WW II or Korea have died. We had about 8 boys to serve in Vietnam, all but my my cousin mentioned in my first comment made it safely back home. We have not had any member to serve in the recent wars.
My father served in the US Army and was stationed in Germany in the early 1950s. I never served in the Armed Forces, but spent my career in Law Enforcement. I am very thankful for all the men and women who served in our military. God bless them all.
Thank to all of the veterans for their service. I would love a copy of the cd
My dad and my brother were in the Army. Dad was in the thick of things in the Pacific. My brother was a door gunner in an assault helicopter (the Vultures) group. Both saw the worst of the worst. Neither one would talk about it but I remember my brother dropping to the floor when a car backfired for a long time after he returned. I am so proud of them.
Linda, I read a story by Tom Huggler of his brother being messed up so bad when he came home from Vietnam that he was even afraid of fireflies/ lightening bugs. They reminded him of nighttime rifle fire, his brother committed suicide because of a flashback by jumping off the top top of a silo he was working on after hearing a helicopter flying over checking power lines. My bother in law tells about working with man in a small machine shop and someone setting off an acetylene bomb- small amount of gas put in a small paper sack similar to a fire cracker. A new hire none knew was a veteran went off, grab a short piece of pipe trying to kill the other workers. He had a flashback to his time in Vietnam.
Happy Veteran’s Day!
My Daddy was a U. S. Naval Veteran of WWII and Grandpa Ritchey was an Army Veteran from WW I.
I have a long line of family who served to keep us all free. Direct line great and several great grandaddy’s served in the Civil War, both sides, the War of 1812, and the Revolutionary War.
Two uncles served in Korea and one of those also went to Vietnam.
I salute ALL Veterans.
Carolyn Ritchey
Thank you to all of our Veterans, today and every day!
My father served in the Army during WWII and was injured during the Battle of the Bulge. My oldest son has just put his papers in for retirement after serving in the Air Force for 20 years.
I’m so proud of my family’s service for the country. God Bless America.
My grandpa also served during the Vietnam era and I believe was stationed in Panama. I wonder if they knew each other. He never was sent but still lost his leg due to one of their trucks flipping on him somehow. He played pranks on people with that prosthetic leg the rest of his healthy days. I have his old army year book. At least that’s what I call it not sure if they call it that. It has photos of everyone from his class and their various activities. I will have to see if papaw Tony is in it. Was he a pressley?
L-yes he is a Pressley. Wouldn’t that be great if they served together:)
I too, am so thankful for all of our Veterans. May God bless each of them and their families who waited for them to come home. God bless you and yours❤❤
my uncle Carl was a veteran, he died a few years ago, he served in Italy, during world war II, he was a medic, he was gone from home 37 months, the war had been over for a month, he had not come home, his immediate family thought he was dead, but by the grace of God one day they heard somebody singing and dancing on the porch, it was Uncle Carl, he survived, praise God, you talk about a happy Chester family, for some reason he didn’t get to fly home on an airplane, he had to ride a slow boat all the way across the ocean, but praise God he lived
Tipper, loved reading about all the Veterans in your family. My daddy served in the Army Air Corp and my oldest son currently serves in the Coast Guard. He will start his 20th year in December. Thanks again. My husband and I watch every video that you do. We also watch the Pressley girls!
My grandfather served in WWI and my father and father in law served in WWII. Veterans deserve our thanks and our respect. Yes,veterans Thank You for your service!!!!!
I can’t agree with you more, Tipper. We all should thank a veteran for their service to our country. We Salute You and We Thank You today and everyday for serving.
I am the daughter of a sailor, and the mother of a sailor. So proud of both,so glad neither one served during wars. Many people saw horrible things during war times.
My husband lost a cousin in Vietnam. While on patrol in the jungle, Terry was attacked and eaten by a tiger.
I wrote a reply comment to Norman when he wrote this a few days ago. I had two Uncles to serve in WW II. Uncle David was a German POW. He would never talk about it even to his wife, I only know his daughter was 4 years old before he ever saw here. Uncle Arthur served in Italy and wouldn’t say much either. Another Uncle served during the Korean War and came home an alcoholic. With the help of God and his family he overcame the alcohol. I had a cousin Broadus Alfred Whitt to be killed in Vietnam in March of 1968. In honor of him, his high school named their football stadium in his name. A Vietnam friend is suffering from the effects of Agent orange. He drove a supply truck during Vietnam and would get covered in it. Along with my uncle I have known men of my neighborhood that were alcoholics. Most of them were veterans of these wars. I was too young to understand, but I think it was their way of coping with the the horrors they went through. Unlike today when a soldier gets help with PTSD, they did not get any, they were expected to “suck it up” and live a normal life. I refuse to ask a war veteran about his experience, I think the ones that saw the bad stuff don’t want to talk about it and the ones that are always talking didn’t see much of it. THANK YOU veterans for your service,
I didn’t mention my Daddy, he was turned down 3 times during WW II because of one leg being shorter than his other leg but did get drafted near the end of the war but did not have to go to the war. I was of the age to go to Vietnam, but the draft was stopped the year I graduated high school and I did not get drafted. My heart especially goes out to the Vietnam Veteran because of the way my country treated them when they came home.