Rules:
1.  No flaming or spamming.  This thread is strictly to show respect.

2.  Please don't simply provide us a list of name, rank, or station.  Let us know a little about the person.  How long have they served/ been serving?  What inspired them to join?  What is something they've had to endure?  If they've shared a story, please share it with us here!

3. No generic posts like "I respect all members of our armed forces".  While those are lovely and admirable feelings of appreciation, that's not what this thread is about.  You can make more general statements of gratitude in threads like this one.

4. Typical vizzed rules apply.  For example, keep this family friendly.

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I know there are a few threads that touch on this briefly, but I'd like to have something a bit more official up here in our armed forces thread.

So here, I'd like people to recognize their family members or friends that have served or are currently serving in the armed forces for their country.  Dedicating one's life to the safety of their country, and for the safety of hundreds of thousands of people... is something that takes a special breed of person.  Armed forces are entities which impact the lives of their countrymen and women, and anyone serving is almost guaranteed to be selfless, fearless, and loyal.

As an armed forces forum, we would like the time to appreciate those men and women who have the strength a few of us can only imagine. Take the time to recognize someone you know here.

My grandfather, Vladimir Torov Vladimirovich Tourshev the II, was a Red beret Spetnaz that died in the Cold War, my mother described him as a tall, manly soldier that was very quiet, my grandmother called him a man of few words. From what my mother told me, he was killed by American weapons the Americans sent the Afghans to slow the Russians. I'd also like to recognize my cousin Nikolai Beltenov, he was killed in the Russia-Georgia war and was a desyatik, which is either a sergeant or corporal, he was a sergeant. 

My *still alive* great grandpa was in the Army, I am not sure what years he did (I think he did in the 1960's) and he is 73. I am not sure what he did in there, I never was told about it.

Gunnery Sergeant Gregory Tetzloff. A great man, a brother. Every day I live is in memory of this man. If not for him I wouldn't have made it home. He wasn't as fortunate, gave his life serving, and following his own morals. He was far more than a Marine, he was the epitome of what a human being should be. His wife and daughter are still very much a part of my life, and I hope he greets me at the pearly gates when my time is up. It's men like him that made me proud to be a Marine, Oohrah, Semper Fi.

My father proudly served the United States Air Force for 20 years before retiring. He retired a few years before making some higher rank although that name slips my mind at the moment.  He loved his job with all his heart, and it's what got him into engineering. Every time he'd go off on a TDY (Temporary Duty Yonder), we would sneak pictures and letters into his suitcase for him to read when he arrived.  I think we were one of the lucky families... the longest he was ever gone, was half a year.

He would always brings us some little memo back, whether it was an instrument, a knick-knack, or something to hang on the wall.  I remember him telling us about visiting depraved countries where little boys would come right up to him and pee on his foot.  However, he never quit and always kept his head high.  One time, he even pulled the shoes off his feet and handed them to a little barefoot boy, walking back to his place barefoot.  I will never be able to be half the adult my dad has been, and I commend him for his time and service to this country.  I love you, Dad!

This was a cool idea. But, with the clean up, this unfortunately has to go.

*Close*