Patriotism

[swathdiver 1,757]

I read that book about Captain Sijan as a young man and have never forgotten it.  By now it's been read at least 3 times.  True Patriotism!  Nathan Hale and Sam Davis also come to mind.

[Saved41199 85]

I am the granddaughter, daughter, daughter in law, sister in law, wife and mother of veterans. (WW1, WW2, Japanese Occupation Forces, Korea, Cuban Missile Crisis, VietNam, Desert Storm/Shield, Iraq/Iran)

HOWEVER, I see too much of the need to 'export' American style democracy around the world to places that didn't ask for it, don't want it, and our young people pay the price. My son, who did two tours in Iraq explained it simply...he said "mom, we have no business being over there. Their tribal wars have been going on for hundreds of years and they're just going to keep on going. They don't want nor understand our form of government and wish we'd leave them alone." 

The last "just" war, in my mind was WW2. A war that had to be fought to stop a greater evil. Vietnam, there was no exit strategy and was kept going so the war profiteers would continue to make money off it. Iraq/Iran, same sort of thing. Our fighting forces were not given the equipment they needed and people died because of it. 

My beautiful son is now 100% disabled, has PTSD, and mentally ill. He has a traumatic brain injury that has totally changed him from the bright, loving, funny young man he was into someone who is dark, hateful, reclusive and so far away. He is 29 years old. 

If someone wants to call me unpatriotic, then so be it. I've seen too much carnage from those who fought and died so others could fatten their wallets. 

I long for the day when the swords will be beaten into plowshares and man shall learn war no more. 

[Alan 3,223]

Saved41199,

Thank you for your comments, testimony, insight, and patriotism.

All of us long for the day when, "And he shall judge among many nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn was any more." Isaiah 2:4

May we pray more earnestly for that day to come soon.

Alan

[Saved41199 85]

Thank you Brother Alan...

I've often been accused of being "unpatriotic" because I do not support war. I fail to see how not supporting one equates to not supporting the other. I'm a child of immigrants I appreciate everything the US has meant to my family, the opportunities we have all been afforded. However, I cry at the lives that have been so brutally torn apart. I know far too many...and my heart cries out to God begging him to stop this foolishness. I worked in the defense industry for many years (naval shipbuilding) and saw literally hundreds of fresh faced young men...young men that I knew would return older, harder, damaged. 

Maybe I'm just way too cynical....and thank you so much for the full quote from Isaiah...I couldn't remember it all. 

 

[swathdiver 1,757]

On 1/22/2017 at 4:58 AM, Saved41199 said:

(naval shipbuilding)

Ohh?  What ships?

[Brother Stafford 381]

On 1/22/2017 at 4:58 AM, Saved41199 said:

(naval shipbuilding)

Wow!  Those must have been reeeally tiny!

[Saved41199 85]

8 hours ago, swathdiver said:

Ohh?  What ships?

Worked on design for SSN-688, SSN-774 class. CVN-67. CVN-68 class, CVN-78 class, various LHA, LPD ships. Mostly piping systems, nuclear and non-nuclear, hydraulic, steam, condensate, oil, etc. 

Now I teach basic drafting and AutoCAD. Developing certification courses for Revit, Inventor and Vectorworks. I need to be able to roll out the Revit course in about 4 months, the Inventor course and Vectorworks courses sometime in the 4th q of this year. Also working on a boot-camp type class for 3D printing. I fell into this job and I LOVE every minute of it although I work easily about 70 hours a week right now. 

[swathdiver 1,757]

Was this for Newport News after these ships were built, for updates and overhauls?  A long time ago, ship design was a passion and just loved getting into the layout and designs of the different "plants".  

[Saved41199 85]

17 minutes ago, swathdiver said:

Was this for Newport News after these ships were built, for updates and overhauls?  A long time ago, ship design was a passion and just loved getting into the layout and designs of the different "plants".  

I did it all, new construction design (CVN-78 class, CVN 76 & CVN 77 construction and SSN 774 class) Overhaul for LHA, LPD and SSN 688 class. Started in pen and ink on the boards, moved up to computer aided drafting/design, from 2D design to 3D product modeling. 

[Orval 177]

On ‎6‎/‎4‎/‎2015 at 1:09 PM, WellWithMySoul said:

I wrote the following when my middle son was deployed to Iraq 2002-2003.  This was the time when patriotism seemed to have been revived in the wake of 9/11.  Now in 2015 as unpatriotic and disrespectful that it is....a marred, torn, and tattered Stars and Stripes grievously expresses the true overall condition of our nation and the ungrateful, divided, and perilous state that it's in.  As God Almighty has been and continues to be "shoved" out, the darker and more venomous our once greatly blessed country is becoming.  My husband is a partially-disabled Nam Era Vet, and all four of our children have served our country putting their lives on the line (as well as our son-in-law who was shot while serving in the desert sands).  Two of our sons are still serving, but hoping to retire in a few short years.  Though so saddened by the decline of our nation we're still ever grateful with even more emphasis to all those who have gone before and fought for our freedoms, and for those presently serving doing their best to maintain them.  We gratefully praise our God for the freedoms we yet possess here today, and raise the flag as an indication of our appreciation for them!  Praise God for the hope we have in HIM!

Glorious Homecoming

I sat and watched the homecomings of those military personnel that were detained in China, and those that were POW's in Iraq.  What a flutter of deep feelings arose from my heart.  The tears dripped down my face before I was even aware of them.  The phenomenon of that choking sensation from the "lump" in my throat was prevalent; for the depth of emotion in my heart was great.  What was it that caused such a rush of feeling?  My eyes were glued to the television with anticipation that surely was akin to the elation that the returning military personnel's families and friends much have felt.  There were many small hand-held American flags waving in the breeze and my tears seemed to blur the flag's images into a single American banner of freedom.  The feelings of pride in the American flag were evident; the stars and the stripes and the colors of red, white, and blue and what they represent rippled in the breeze.  The origin of the flag's colors signified unity.  The White represented Purity and Innocence, the Red was for Hardiness and Valor, and the Blue represented Vigilance, Perseverance, and Justice.  The thirteen stripes, of course, represented first the original colonies, and then a five-pointed star was added for each state that was born of the Union.  Our star spangled banner is often called "Old Glory".  My country is my beloved United States of America.  As I sat and watched the eager arrival of each one of those military members, I knew that each one, as well as their families, represented the free and the brave.  I am so proud; so very proud.  Each brave soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine has signed a contract that has opened the door to the possibility of being put in harm's way.  So many paid the price for freedom with their own blood.  All of them are "heroes".  I was so happy for these special ones that were spared their lives and returned to us.

What is the depth of feeling?  What does the pride mean?  What makes me cry?  My own children have signed that sacrificial contract and have been in harm's way, and I so very proudly wave the banners of the military branch that they serve, underneath that of the Stars and Stripes.  What makes me stand so proud and want to stand at respectful attention with dripping tears when these kinds of scenes unfold?  I do not know that I can possibly verbalize what is on my heart.  I cannot help but to go back to the flag and the unity for which it stands.  I do believe that it could very well be that the unity and loyalty to our country shines on even in the midst of her troubles.  America stands, for she has been greatly blessed by God.  She went through the pangs of birth as a brand new nation.  She lived on in spite of her Civil War.  Tragedies have plagued her from the international political realm.  Natural disasters have threatened her health and countless loved ones were lost.  Much trouble from her politics, finances, and moralities darkly clouded over her at times.  Our country though, has withstood it all, and she is mighty and strong and enduring.  There is no other explanation for her greatness than that we have been mightily blessed by God Almighty.  My heart is so full and the tears have glistened down my face.  This is not a haughty pride.  This is a grateful pride...for I am included, privileged, and honored with being a citizen of the United States of America; my home sweet home.  Are there really words that can aptly describe this pride in my country?  The waving flags, and the beloved camaraderie of fellow Americans, has had a way of straightening my stooping posture.

Alas, I will never be in my country's spotlight and welcomed home as a hero as each of these brave ones has.  That is quite alright however, for one day I will experience being  introduced and welcomed into my eternal home.  The angels shall shout and sing glorious songs upon my arrival.  Heaven's flags are as the glorious flutterings of the wings of those awesome heavenly cherubim and seraphim.  Even though here with earthly insignificance, one day I shall be ushered into eternity and in that celestial place there, my name will be known.  So many thousands shall greet me with joy.  With the riddance of my earthly body, my soul will be bared to all there.  However, there on that golden shore, the robes of righteousness that Jesus has clothed me with, will visibly don my soul.  Without reservation, I will proudly wear those blessed robes.  There will be no need to be concerned with poor posture there, for I will be changed and able to stand and move about with ease upon the thousand hills of Heaven.  Those streets of gold, the river of life that flows there, the many mansions prepared shall represent "Glory"; though upon my arrival with unspeakable awe my eyes shall be fixed upon my God.  I am so grateful for my Heavenly home away from this earthly one.  It took the shedding of His blood to gift me with freedom and with citizenship there, and likewise it took the shedding of blood of fellow Americans that provided me with the freedom and citizenship of this earthly and beloved country.  May I wave the banner of HIS love that has encompassed me, and joyously wave the flag of eternal freedom that I've been so mercifully blessed with.  I am greatly grateful that God has blessed America, and very soon I will actually be at one of those televised homecomings, anxiously awaiting the arrival of more heroes; one of which is my own beloved son.  I look forward to waving my American flag there, and hopefully the banner of His love will sparkle upon my countenance with joy.

Welcome home, dear ones!!

What a beautiful expression of your love for America and your sons.  Well done!! and wonderfully expressed.

[Alan 3,223]

May the Lord above bless all of the brethren on this

4th of July!

 

May the Lord especially bless all of the veterans and men, and women currently in the Armed Forces,

Officers protecting our cities, our government officials and President Trump.

 

 

Happy Independence Day!

[Alan 3,223]

President Donald Trump, Patriot

Thank you President Trump and your love for America, the Constitution of the United States, and the values that we hold dear as Americans.

Alan

 

 

[Alan 3,223]

I fully agree with the statement on America by President Donald Trump.

 

 

 

[Alan 3,223]

On 5/11/2015 at 6:00 PM, Alan said:

Brethren,

Every once in a while I see numerous articles that only present one side of the Vietnam War. 

During that time of the Vietnam War the newspapers, liberals, the Hollywood crowd and the public in general were feed a continual stream of anti-American ideals: especially patriotism. My father taught me one good thing and that was to love our country. America, in spite of all the evil, corrupt politicians, and other forms of corruption, is still the best country on the face of this planet for Democracy, Individual Freedom, and Religious Freedom.

It saddens me tremendously to witness the continual downgrade of America and the ideals why we fought the Vietnam War.

While I was growing up (in the house of an agnostic and church hating father), I was taught, (rightly so), the values of America, Democracy, Patriotism, and the evils of Communism, Socialism, Fascism, and liberals. I have not changed a whit from my father's correct moral teachings.

While growing up during the Vietnam War every day, (like our day and age), I read the supposedly vile actions of the U.S. Military as brought forth by Hollywood actors, liberal Religious figureheads, and the liberal, atheistic, and propaganda written by the communist leaning press. I read all about the evil actions of the military killing defenseless civilians by our Air Force and Army. And, I read all of the stories of how the Vietnam veterans were dope fiends, anti-military, and crazy in the head: remember Rambo?

When was the last time that you heard a story in the press that told the public of the brave, sacrificial, and patriotic deeds of the vast majority of the men in uniform during the Vietnam War?

Because of the vicious lies of the press, the traitorous acts of the Hollywood stars, the communist inspired Vietnam War demonstrations,and the unpatriotic acts of the ungodly religious crowd, our cowardly politicians gave in and did not allow the military to win the Vietnam War. Vietnam was the first war America lost. Now, South Vietnam is communist. Laos, which I was also indirectly involved, also was lost to the enemy. The enemy of America, and the nation of Israel, during that age, is Fascist (formally Communist), Russia and her allies. Vietnam was just a pawn that Russia used to obtain her goals.

In spite of all the vicious verbal attacks, and numerous speeches, hippies, men rushing to Canada to avoid the draft, and others acts of civil disobedience, I decided to volunteer for military service (the US Air force), to join the war.

During the Vietnam War I volunteered and was not drafted. I found out by personal experience that the innocent civilians were not so innocent, the Hollywood actors were traitors, the liberal press was lying and the religious figureheads were lost men seeking fame and fortune. The Vietnam War, started by President Kennedy, was initially a war against communism. Due to communist lies the American public was misled. Even to this day you cannot hardly find an article written against communism. But, you can find plenty of articles against the war and downgrading the men who bravely, and patriotically, fought against the communist North Vietnamese and their Russian allies.

I am a proud American Vietnam Veteran. I am a proud verbal defender of America and its ideals of Freedom. And I have come to realize that there is a concerted effort by the enemies of Freedom to downgrade America and the nation of Israel. I hope that there are other patriotic freedom loving Americans who remain faithful to these ideals of freedom in the day ahead in spite of this concerted effort to bash America and Israel through misleading articles.

Alan

 

Brethren,

I was asked in a private message, about a month back, if the individual could post this testimony of mine and my service in the Vietnam War in a printed article. I agreed.

As a public notice, if anybody, whether or not a member of Online Baptist, wants to post my personal testimony on Patriotism and my Vietnam War experience, on a website, newspaper article, institution newsletters, or any other article or media, they may do so. If they want to use my full name that is acceptable also. If further information is needed, or desired, please send me a message either by PM or as a reply in this thread.

Dr. Maurice Alan Young, Sgt., E-4, Honorable Discharge, USAF

Note on December 18, 2019: On June 1, 1976, the USAF changed the rank of "Sgt." (Sergeant E-4), to "SrA" (Senior Airman E-4).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senior_airman

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 19, 2019 by Alan
doubled post changed the second paragraph note on 12.18.19

[Alan 3,223]

May the Lord bless all of the veterans this Veterans Day.

If there is anybody that would like to give a public testimony on your Veteran spouse, yourself as a veteran, or  photos of a Veterans Day parade, or special Veterans Day service, please do so.

[No Nicolaitans 3,379]

I served in the Coast Guard.

My dad served in the Air Force, Navy, and National Guard.

[Alan 3,223]

The Apostle Paul stated, "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:3

In the following video, Sammy Davis, Medal of Honor Winner, is a living testimony of the how a good soldier fights for his country; the hardness that he must endure, the hardness of the training that he must endure, and the hardness of combat with the enemy, and the horrors of combat that he must endure.

As I listened to his personal testimony concerning his volunteering for service in Vietnam, his hard, demanding  drill Sgt., his hard labour in action as an artilleryman, and his hard service under combat, and his excruciating actions in rescuing fellow soldiers while terribly wounded, and his personal love for his country, than I remembered how we need to be good soldiers for our Lord and Saviour in the spiritual realm.