I've recently got to thank @Baldy, @NYGoldenDomer, and @The Captain 19 for their military service to the United States of America. Means a lot to me as both by grandfathers and my Uncle served in the United States Navy. Notre Dame's history is closely tied to the service academies. The Navy helped keep Notre Dame open in war time. The Irish play the Naval Academy every year. Frankly the "March in" at the Army-Navy game gives me chills and when I'm not rooting for Notre Dame, the service academies hold a special place in my heart. 

 

1. Would all veterans who have served consider replying to this thread so we could properly thank you?

2. I hope this thread serves as a place heroes can share stories. All who have served are my heroes.

3. Thank you for your service to every Veteran who this reaches. We salute you! 

6 minutes ago, The Captain 19 said:

TQ 05. Shit was live. Do that deployment tomorrow if they asked.  

Fullajah was hot shit at that time. Marines were fuckin shit up on the regular. Cobras were touch and go constantly. 

We ran convoy missions every night. 

Fuuuuuck. Those were the days. I'm old now. 

Fuck yea man, Fullajah was lit as the kids say these days.  Or is that one old now too?  I can't keep up.  I was a radio operator attached to an MP company.  Our squads rotated weekly either doing convoy security missions or EOD/Wrecker QRF security.  Those were the days indeed.

3 hours ago, USAFA03_HUGENDFAN said:

Thanks @FaithInIrish Forever  you really keep the board going with your posts and thoughts on the team.  So thanks should be said to you. 
 

I was part of many AF-Army/Navy March Ins but nothing compares to the Army/Navy March In. I was lucky enough to be on the field for last years Army/Navy game March In, as I was still a Mil Assistant to the person who did the coin toss.  What an experience to be there and see the game. Wanted Navy to win so bad so AF could get the CINC trophy but my boss was happy his team won. 
 

Keep telling my family just three more years and I think that will finally be the case as 1 Nov this year when the count down clock will start. Unless the ND AFROTC Commander spot opens up and by some struck or lucky I can get selected. That would be a dream ending to a career for a someone who grew up near ND. 

Thank you! Thats awesome that you were on the field for so many March ins. I hope that dream spot at ND opens up. God Bless you and yours!

10 minutes ago, The Captain 19 said:

Scare force has the best chow halls 

Mid rats.  Nothing better than coming back from a convoy in the middle of the night and stopping at the chow hall for mid rats.

Bro. For real.  Snagging a couple boxes of strawberry special K and milk for the morning. Or a peanut butter clif bar. Money with a cup of green beans. 

2 minutes ago, The Captain 19 said:

Bro. For real.  Snagging a couple boxes of strawberry special K and milk for the morning. Or a peanut butter clif bar. Money with a cup of green beans. 

Special K and Milk??  WTF.  Bro, more like hot trays of wings, fries, and pizza.  Greeeeeeeeeen Beansssssssssssssssssssss.  Oh that stuff blows away Starbucks and Dunkin.  I wish we had that stuff stateside.

Or a chocolate otitis spunkmeyer cupcake and a cup of black coffee with an espresso shot in it. Let's go. Next convoy. I'm in. 

OMG the spunks!!!!!

Can't forget the Rip Its

Brooooooooooooo there are some stateside Green Beans.  Closest ones to be is at the Pentagon and some Naval Hospital in Virginia.
https://www.greenbeanscoffee.com/pages/cafe-locations

5 minutes ago, NYGoldenDomer said:

Special K and Milk??  WTF.  Bro, more like hot trays of wings, fries, and pizza.  Greeeeeeeeeen Beansssssssssssssssssssss.  Oh that stuff blows away Starbucks and Dunkin.  I wish we had that stuff stateside.

Lmfao. I'm just saying on they way out. That shit was in some cargo pockets. I was definitely tearing up some wings, fries, surf and turf (if available) sandwich station. Whatever. However. I was leaving the chow hall with full cargos. Guaranteed. 

Dude. I seriously  O D'ed on rip it's. Cases of them on convoy missions. We called em go fasters. We'd throw like 3 Cases in our gun truck. Stop at navstar or whatever FOB and restock. Hit the road. 

Soooooo many rip it's. Pretty sure that's why I had a heartattack at 37. 

Partially kidding but I did drink a fuck ton of those energy drinks. I definitely smoked alot at that time too. Didn't expect to come home. 

1 minute ago, The Captain 19 said:

Partially kidding but I did drink a fuck ton of those energy drinks. I definitely smoked alot at that time too. Didn't expect to come home. 

You guys needed what you neeeded to get the job done. I'm just glad you are safe and sound.

We had coolers in all of our trucks.  Rip Its and spunks in every truck.  Can't forget the water bottles that spend years sitting in the desert sun too lol