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Happy Veteran’s Day From A Fellow Veteran

Hello Everyone!

As the newest member of the FightFast team, I have the unique privilege of sharing with you a very special THANK YOU to our great nation’s military veterans. From the moment that this country was born (and before) we have had brave men and women fight for our freedom at home and overseas. It’s an honor to be addressing so many of you today!

While we sometimes think it’s all men who do the work, I’d like to bring to light the contributions that women have made to our military. We often forget about the mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, girlfriends, and friends who stay here, supporting and waiting for their sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, and friends who go to war. The support that these women show our military is unparalleled. Women’s maternal instincts feed into the need we all have to have someone care for our well-being.

Women In The Military

And women are not just staying at home anymore. Rereading some of our military history makes my heart swell with pride for my gender. Before World War II, women were only allowed to serve as nurses and support staff, washing laundry and the like. World War I was actually the first time a woman could officially join the military. According to www.history.org and www.womensmemorial.org, of the 33,000+ women who served in World War I as nurses and support staff, 400 died in the line of duty.

The second world war brought with it the ability for women to join in other helpful roles such as mechanics, test pilots, administration, and ambulance drivers. Even though women were still not in combat, 88 of them were captured and held as Prisoners Of War. Shortly after WW2, Congress passed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which allowed us permanent military status. For the first time, we were able to receive the same treatment and veteran’s benefits as men. This was also around the time that racial segregation ended, allowing the first African-American women to enlist.

In 1967, the cap on the number of women allowed to serve was repealed, along with the highest rank that a woman was allowed to achieve. This opened up the remainder of history for women to break boundaries and achieve things that had NEVER been possible.

Women have been POWs, been covered in blood that was and wasn’t theirs, and died in the line of duty right alongside the boys. They’ve also lead soldiers into combat, piloted combat missions and space shuttles, commanded ships, squadrons, hospitals, schools, and bases, healed, helped, and done a damn good job if it!

Words From A Fellow Veteran

My personal experience in the military was one that I cherish with all my heart. The people I met and places I went will stick with me until the end. I met so many amazing men and women during my service, and I keep meeting these incredible veterans even four years after receiving my DD-214.

When I was 19 years old, I felt stuck and unhappy. My older sister had joined the Navy as a corpsman, and while thinking about my future, the feeling that I could do that too just wouldn’t leave. I talked to my sister and really considered all the benefits and consequences for a whole three days before going to a recruiting office and getting my paperwork. Less than a month later, I was on my way to boot camp!

My rate (job) was Aviation Machinist Mate, working on aircraft engines. That would have been IMPOSSIBLE 75 years ago! I have so much pride for how far we’ve come!

And there are so many veterans out there who need to hear how proud of them you are and how much you appreciate them. We cannot forget that there are still veterans taking their lives every single day. Veterans who feel that their disabilities hinder them from being contributing members of society, or who don’t feel like they can live with the things they’ve had to do. These men and women need to hear that they matter and are appreciated and loved by our nation, TODAY.

From the bottom of all our hearts here at FightFast, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

Very Respectfully,
Dorothy Nelson (ADAN)

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467 thoughts on “Happy Veteran’s Day From A Fellow Veteran”

  1. Not a veteran myself, but I owe them a lot. But that photo of the gals in formation does remind me of an old Esther Williams film: Skirts Ahoy.

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  4. I am a Marine and I have never differentiated between female or male, we are all Marines! And I would gladly serve with any I’ve ever known.

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  9. Thank you for your service. Glad you got training and a golden opportunity. As a Vietnam vet I too remember many I served with. One gave a foot for his country, others gave up to drugs or alcohol. Some never came back. Women were just starting to have service opportunities when I was in. Facebook has many sites that vets join to stay in contact with their service communities. I started one and belong to several others. Happy veterans day!

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  10. I would personally like to thank you , and all veterans for your service to and for our country. You all have my utmost respect and admiration. I do support disabled veterans, and wounded warrior project.

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  11. Thank you for YOUR service, Dorothy. Here in Albany Oregon we have the largest Veterans Day parade this side of the Mississippi. I will take up your challenge and be more proactive recognizing veterans, thanking them, and helping them to feel connected.

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  12. Thank you for that Dorothy and for your service ! Much appreciation and respect. In my business we have what we call our heroes program which is an effort to help those vets you referred to who feel hindered or are wondering what’s next for them. We are actively working with an American Legion and other various groups. Another way for us to say thank you.

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  13. Thanks for all of the kind words and the remembrance of all that the women have contributed to our armed forces. I am proud to be an American veteran too, and when people start talking bad about our nation and messing with the American flag it makes me want to go and defend it. Those people need to respect that flag and what it stands for and all of the men and women that have fought for it.

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  15. Thanks for the very informative and heartfelt article. As a fellow veteran I’m proud to have served in the same cause you did. Our freedom.

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  16. Hello Dorothy,
    Thank you for your service.
    I am also a Navy Veteran. I served at several land based Naval stations and had the privilege of working with many great women sailors.
    I had one such young lady ( airman ABH) in my line crew, who could out work most of the guys. If I could have had just two more like here, I could have gotten rid of about five of the guys. She was a very beautiful young lady inside at out. She was also a member of our base shooting club that allowed us to buy and shoot our hunting rifles. She was a very good marksman and it was a challenge to shoot as well against her, in our competitions. I grew up with many aunts and my girl cousins, on the families ranches out in North Dakota. My aunts I think worked harder than my uncles as they were up before dawn getting food ready for the guys, then cleaning up after breakfast and collecting eggs from the hen house. Making dinners to go out to the fields, making sure all the chickens and hogs and cows where feed, Milking the cows and putting the milk through the separator. Of course all of us kids were working along with her. I just remember how hard the women worked and saw the same thing in the Navy, whether it was an airman or an officer, the ladies shined in their duties.
    So I would also like to thank all the woman, both in and out off the services for all they do.
    Thank you, from a son, a veteran, a husband, a father, and now a grandfather to my five wonderful granddaughters.

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  22. As a Vietnam Veteran, I thank you for your service. Yes, it is with pride that I, like you, served ‘my’ country and its people with Honor and Commitment. Would I do it again? You bet…….in a heart beat. I will, if necessary, take up arms to defend the U.S. A. against all enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC!
    America is not an accident that ‘just happened’. America is the Lord God Jehovah’s grand experiment and He showed us that with this election Nov. 8. We have been given another opportunity to ‘get it right’ by taking her down and elevating Trump to a ‘much’ higher position . We will prevail within our borders and around the world at all cost.

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  23. Well said. A simple thanks is never enough but no words can truly express the appreciation deserved by all who honorably serred in our military..

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  24. We live in a country that had its freedom bought and paid for with the personal
    sacrifices of all the men and women who
    served in the Armed Services of the United States of America.That is something we as Americans should be forever grateful for
    and never take for granted. I want to
    personally Thank You for your service and
    a job well done, and also want to pay tribute
    to those who gave their lives for the freedoms
    we as Americans have. God Bless

    lives for this Great Country.

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  26. Born in 1949 and honestly never had a problem with female equality. Maybe because I was raised by a single mother. Don’t even ask how I feel about my father !

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  27. Three of my family served in WW11. Two brothers in the navy and a sister in the Waves. My dad and his brother served in WW1. I served in the cold war in Alaska watching my radar for the Russkies coming across the top. No combat for me but plenty for the afore mentioned except for my sis.

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  29. To have the operatunity to be able to serve my country has been an Honor and a Privilege that I will never forget. To see the Amer I can flag waving in a gentle breeze and to hear the National Anthem means so much more to a Soldier. The emotions are so deep. When I see someone that has committed their time in service wheither in combat or in peace time, they are my Brother or Sister in Arms Forever. God Bless All Soldiers and Military. You are what America was built and founded on in the name of God.

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  31. Thank you for your service!
    I to was in the military from 68 to 72 USMC. Sgt Tennent Military Police and Vietnam Vet. Will never forget any of the years I was in and to all the Veterans, Thank You All For Your Service!!

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  37. I did 10 years in the Air Force. It cost me a lot personally, but I got back many times what I paid.
    Now I’m retired and I remember those years with pride.
    You be proud too.

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  38. Dear Dorthy I too fill unappreciated as a vet , although I set here watching the protest an turmoil , people on the streets protesting after an honest election. This can be stopped , I hate to say it , this doesn’t,t happen in other countries , again I hate to say it , Pres Putin or other world leaders can deal with these people . God forbid , we,re looking at our futher leaders of this great country
    I fill only the one an only father in heaven can deal with our world problems. I hate to pull the religious card , but if we Don,t get a handle on it , civil unrest in inevitable , so bring it on . Love you an your service may GOd bless you an yours . Kenneth Goodwin

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  39. I cannot put into words the thankfulness I have for our veterans. For those who paid the ultimate price , the wounded , the survivors and all who serve behind the scenes. I personally have never served but have had family members and friends who have and some still are. No matter the gender I want all service personnel, current and former to know how much your contribution means to me. Thank you all so very much and God bless you all.
    With heartfelt thanks, Gerald Farless

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  41. Thank you for your service and for the great message. As a Veteran I have a lot of great memories and many hard and sad ones as well. I would like to thank all of you at fight fast for the Great job you do for us.

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  43. Bravo to you your sisters. I retired after 2 years Army and 24 years Air Force. Those years are some of the happiest of my life. When questioned by younger post high school age children that appear to be at loose ends. I always try to interest them in the military.

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  45. From a Veitnam vet i thank you for your service God bless i served fromm 66 – 70 as a flight mech. And scanner on a C-130. Loved every minute i was in the USAF. Once again Thank You for your service.

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  46. I am still proud to this day for having served my country in the 1970’s in the USAF. I consider all vets and service members my comrades , and my brothers and sisters. Forever I’ve got their six. God bless us all. Thank you for continuing in the foot steps of the brave women and men who went before you.
    Sincerely,
    EH

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  47. I can only “attempt” to express my gratitude for ALL Women who have contributed to our Military Branches ever since they have existed. I personally have never understood why Women have been oppressed and discriminated against for so long. The y all have my support. They have come a very long way, but I fear a long way to go. STAY STRONG! Don’t give up! May God bless you exceedingly and abundantly for all you Ladies do!!

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