Thank you, sir, for all you've done for our country! I pray you peace. I and my family salute you!

Thank you so much for your service and the life you sacraficed to ensure the safety and freedoms of not only America but also across the world. Your love of country is what makes this world a better place. God bless you and your family!

Thank you for you service. My son was in Iraq as well.

Thank you for your service. God bless.

Thank you. Former USAF, peacetime. 22 a day needs work.

I cried my heart out all day when that last plane left Iraq knowing our soilders were left behind along with our allies that were going to face certain death . I'm not a crier but that day I couldn't pull it together. My heart absolute breaks for all the soilders who sacrificed so much & all the families of fallen soilders bc it literally feels like it was all for nothing.

I agree. Luckily it has changed since Vietnam. The saddest part that is still true today is a vet coming home and not be able find a job. housing, excellent health care. That is still a disgusting truth today.

I saw it happened so many times. We were hated, there's a few things in life that tears your heart apart more than be hated by your own people. USAF RETIRED.

It was terrible how our brave men and women were treated when they came home from Vietnam. Then it was a war with a draft, those young men had no choice. I grew up in that era and have vivid memories of the news each night starting with the death and injured count. It was horrible. I have always felt badly for how our country mistreated the vets. I always say thank you to our vets and have for years, before it became the thing to do after 9/11.

My dad was a Vietnam vet. I am glad that this country has learned to respect its service members since, but wish Dad didn't have to endure the hell he was given when he got back after seeing people he served with die.

wow...... so nice

One of the best things I've ever heard it's crazy how different types of videos can put people in different types of moods

UNDERSTOOD ENJOY THE COMING HOLIDAYS RESPECT 💯🎯 USMC RET

"Don't hide your tears....." - so, so true. It takes a man to let his tears be shown.

Bless You ENJOY THE COMING HOLIDAYS RESPECT 🙏🏅

So sorry for your loss. And thank you for his service and your sacrifice.

I can’t imagine, all I can say is thank you.

Much respect and love your way

Idk I just felt like telling u that u are loved and ty for ur service

Being a family member or loved one of someone in the service takes as much strength as being in the service.

I second this!!!

Definitely.

Please do. They’d be blown away

Definitely

Don't let the kids watch it though. It's actual combat with people fighting and dying.

And it doesn’t even have to be “overseas” My dad was in the Navy 20 years, and except for a very short time working in a recruiting station in the largest city in his home state he was 1,000 miles away at the very least from his parents. He would take 3 weeks leave in the summer to drive home and visit with family (I should say we to include our mother my brother and I) but that still mean 11 month out of 12 with very little contact and even then, that leaves you with exactly one week of leave to do anything with your immediate family so for us our summers were bookended with camping trips on memorial and Labor Day weekends and the odd weekend day trips (because he had overnight duty one day in six it’s was difficult to do something over Saturday night) Anyway it always ate at my father that his dad died in a car accident a bare 4 months before he (my father) was set to retire and planned to return home while planning his civilian career

Ashley is correct. Even the US Dept of Defense doesn't really know how many installations they have world wide. The best guess is at least 800 installations. Yes there is even one in New Zealand. The US Military is EVERYWHERE kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Y7-CZbeprdHGZJc.html

@@douglascampbell9809 true the problem comes with what do you call an “installation “ is a multi force recruiting station next to a laundry mat in a strip mall that is “commanded” by either a butter bar fresh out of the academy, or in his absence the NCO that has one week seniority over his peer (Multi force meaning a navy chief shares space with the army and air force Sgts and handles recruiting for Marines and Coast guard out of courtesy, while they “share” a couple of enlisted personnel who are waiting to go to recruiters school or in some other way are in some sort of transition.

As an American, I envy you... it's kinda of nice to hear that you can't relate to the US homecoming. I hope it stays that way for you and your country!

Love these videos but have some mixed feelings. I grew up around the army and my father spent two tours in Vietnam. Of course unceremonious pickups at the airport upon his return each time. God bless all military families.

And I approve that comment! Thank you

That was so precious!!!!

Seriously melted my heart 😭😭😭

dunno why...it is hard watching children cry esp daughters....:(

Same here my Friend

They cut off the part where she is all grins and giggles and says, 'I missed you!' She is cute as can be!!

Yeah I think seeing her parents get misty, particularly her father, made her get even more emotional! Sweet girl!❤️

@@KrissyFace She was about to lose it when the soldier seen his son walking at 5:33

You got this. You’re not alone. Lots and lots of single parents in the service now. Think of all the parents who came before you and fought for you to have the services you have now. I’m an OIF/OEF Vet and raised my daughter while serving.

Forget misty eyed, these videos have me ugly crying from the first frame.

@@dortheyc5276 Doesn't matter how many times I've watched these. I ugly cry, every time. More so now, considering you baby brother has committed to joining the Marine Corps once he graduates high school. He's got his Senior year left and I am SO proud of him!

@@meganlynn83 God bless and keep him! It's my belief that the families of our soldiers serve as well, just in a different capacity. Every day they pray for and worry about them. They fear the ringing of the phone or doorbell. When the soldier is a husband and father, the wife takes on the roll of both mother and father. You all serve! I pray for our military and first responders every day. Those people who hate our country and our flag are not the majority of this great nation. God bless and stay safe. :)

@@dortheyc5276 Thank you so much for your kind words! My baby brother was adopted at birth by my parents and is the greatest blessing! I am a VERY proud sister! I am 34 years old and my son turns 12 on Tuesday and has ALWAYS been obsessed with the military. Specifically the Marine Corps. If my son chooses to join when he is older, I will be terrified that my only child would go into the military, however I will support him and his dreams! My Great Grandfather fought in WWII with the Army. He told me so many interesting stories before he passed. Thank you for your prayers and God bless you and your family as well! 💙

@Angelina Gigi Williams.... Thanks for sharing your touching story and please thank your daughter for her service to our country.

you guys made me cry it was so sweet to show your kids this cause us americans see these happend alot

❤

❤ much love and prayers, I've been where you are. Being a mom is hard, and this is one of the hardest things to experience, next to losing a child. Thank you all for your sacrifice.

Thank your husband for me. Also, thank you and the rest of your family. God bless you!

Thank you, M'am, for your support of that Marine and for >your< sacrifice, too. And please tell him I and my family thank him for his service.

As a son my dad was in US army we move from state to state to base to base. This video hits home

Monica Mathers thank you for Your sacrifice. I know it was not easy being away from your spouse for long periods of time and what it must have been like for your kids. Without people like you alot of our service men and women wouldn't have the support they need. So thank you.

Thank You for your sacrifice. Please thank your husband for his service. 🌹🇺🇸

The boy hardly said a word!! LOL I’m guessing he was full of tears as well!!

Love Atlantas' name. Grew up in Atlanta, used to be beautiful but overrun with gangs and violence...

yea, I noticed Atlanta crying and looking at everyone to see if they were crying too 😢😭

@@kenygordon You're absolutely right about that. 2 dead here, 2 wounded. 50 shots fired, just 2 nights ago. It's a shame.

Bro iam from India but all kiwis are really kind hearted honest people on earth

At 65 it still brings tears to this Marine Vet also. So proud of this God, Country, and Corps. And all my Brother & Sister Warriors . SEMPER FI & Ooh-Rah to all who serve Past, Present, & Future.

A movie was made about my fathers unit in Vietnam. It's called "We Were Soldiers"

@crannkee55 thank u I come from a military family not just my mom and dad but my grandfather to

@@LoveBites1279 some to u

Thank you for YOUR service. I know your parents were enlisted, but the whole family "serves" and I appreciate what sacrifice that is for the entire family.

Oh I know the feeling. My dad is a retired Air Force vet and I didn't see him a lot due to his work in Security. My mom didn't even know where he was half of the time and I didn't know what he did until I was a teen after he was out of the AF. My mom actually found one of his old uniforms and found one of those pills soldiers take to basically take their own lives in case they get captured. The thought of my dad doing that just to protect our country, it freaks me out to this day. My dad was heavily involved in Operation Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War. I was old enough to remember it (3rd Grade) and I remember our teacher showing us a map of the Middle east talking about the war and I was thinking, "My daddy isn't over there." Oh how wrong I was. My own brother is now in the Air Force, but he doesn't do Security, he works with weapons. Don't know his exact title, but he's a Master Sergeant now. He met his wife in the AF. She's now a stay-at-home mom raising my nephews and niece. My brother has been working during Covid, but he was able to work from home, but now he has to physically go back into work. He really liked staying home helping with the kids, so I imagine it's been hard for him to go back. At least he did have that time.

My own dad was in Operation Desert Storm (he's an Air Force vet), and my own brother joined the Air Force not long after 9/11 (2005 after turning 21). Several of his HS friends joined the military too when they could. One of our cousins joined the Navy. I know for a fact that ALL 3 of my grandfathers joined the army during war times (my maternal grandpa and paternal step-grandpa for WWII and paternal grandpa for Korean War). One of my great-grandpas was in WWI, so I am proud to be part of a military family for sure. Thanks for your service and your son's service!

@@Zodia195 & @itsahellofaname THANK YOU both so much for your service & your family members' service! My grandpa was in the Army during WWII, my dad was a Marine during Vietnam, my brother was a Marine in the late 90s (fortunately didn't see any combat, although was stationed overseas for a period of time), & my nephew is currently a Marine (he's a police officer at Camp Lejeune). I'm super proud of all of them!

I was active duty Navy 1996-2004 and now my daughter is in the Navy reserves .

@@mollieorzehowski9409 You must be so proud of your daughter following in your military footsteps! Thank you both for your service and God Bless!

Thank you for your service!

Very emotional for me also. My brother served in Vietnam from 69 to 73. Thank God he made it back home

Ronald, thank you for your service and your father's too.

Thank you for your service!

Thank you for your service Ron! 💓

Thanks for your service, shipmate. STG2 USN

I’m a soldier and I can’t handle it, I haven’t seen my parents or siblings since the end of may and I miss them to death, I did get to see my parents and older brother at bct graduation back in August but that was just not enough time with them

@@comrademason7835Thank you for your service!🇺🇸.

I'm the same way I'm balling now alone of course.

I feel so bad for the families of Afghanistan victims, fk Biden

@@jasonsmith4969 Biden didn't handle it properly, he can't even handle toilet paper properly.

I'm so sorry you lost your precious son. Hang onto those memories. Someone once said, that memories of those passed are little visits from them. My thoughts go to all who loved your son.

I am extremely sorry for your loss.

I am sorry for your loss and grateful that you remember him in such a beautiful way.

I too lost family overseas. My condolences, may your son rest in tranquility.

So sorry for your loss ❤️

Tears are ok.😭

You're absolutely right ❤❤🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

I don't mean to be rude but which recent war was about freedom

US has a war every 29 minutes or so, whether they should be fought or not.

Denzel just looked so sad watching. Almost like he was putting himself in place of the kids in the video.

No Greater example of love and empathy can be made for a child, than to see one’s father cry-whether in Joy or Sadness. My Dad was a Blessed one to grow up in a family that Didn’t berate the males when they cried, in the days Most were still taught that Real men Don’t cry. I was truly Shocked the first time I saw my Dad cry-My Big Strong Hero, had a heart of Gold!!! I learned More in that moment with no words, than Many long lessons filled with words.

Thank you for your service!!

@@shirleycolopy4322 it was my pleasure. Thanks for the support.

@@Sgt_MoDog_USMC thank you for your service Sir!!! Cheers from Wisconsin

Thank your husband for me. Also i would like to thank you and the rest of your fsmily. May God bless you!

Nathan Fair - Fallen Soldier The medal that his dad gave him Tucked away in his duffle bag He said don't wory about a thing, Paps You'll be gettin' this when I'll get back Walkin' down the road Through the city on a routine patrol Shots rang out and he hits the ground Sergeant yells "Man down" This is for the ones who ain't comin' back Who fought for their country in Iraq And they left their families at home To come over here and die alone I carried his coffin onto the plane And gave a salute as they read off his name We packed away that duffle bag And the Silver Star that he got from his dad There was one old man when we got off the plane With no one there for him to greet But the whole damn company shook his hand We were brothers to the son he will never see This is for the ones who ain't comin' back Who fought for their country in Iraq And they left their families at home To come over here and die alone This is for the ones who ain't comin' back Who fought for their country in Iraq And they left their families at home To come over here and die alone

Me. Ginger: Thank you for bringing up PTSD. It has taken the VAs help to get me through this. Unlike some others, the VA saved me from suicide. I’m grateful.

@@humanityisevil awesome words that honour fallen soldiers. Thank you for sharing this 🙏

I just want to say I'm so sorry for the loss of your father. Your feelings are very understandable. I'm sure these reunion videos are bittersweet. But, know that your father was a hero in the truest sense. Don't know where you're from or how long it's been since your father died, but this 63-year-old grandmother from Arkansas, USA, is thankful and full of gratitude for your father's service and your sacrifice.

Sorry about your loss. My father was in the Navy in WWII. On a Destroyer off Okinawa. My father-in-law fought in Korea and spent 27months 17days in a Chinese POW camp. Luckily they both made it home.

May he rest in piece

@@geoffreysmommy amazing

@@melissaechols7521 amazing

Wasn’t there a Little League Baseball team from Kaiserslautern from a while ago?? I know they had teams from Rammstein as well too

I remember that too. You don't consider them not coming home. You just decide they will.

Thank you to your entire family.

@@evabrechtel4321 my nephew said "Thank you for your support & it's his honor to serve for the country.". I also thank you🇺🇸❤

Thank you for your service!

Thank u for your service SIR GOD bless

Welcome home Lonnie

@@paulvinco7185 thank you Paul

God Bless you & thank you for ALL that you have done for us. Never forgotten. 🤗💖🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Welcome home. I joined the navy before women in combat was being done. I joined because they were talking about reinstating the draft. With enough women, they could keep military all volunteer. I firmly believe it is more effective that way. I wish I could have been there to welcome home every vet who has ever returned to contempt. It breaks my heart. I hope you have peace. 🌺

💪💪✔✔🙋‍♂🙋‍♂

OMG...that got me too. That sweet girl couldn't handle seeing her daddy tear up...Bless her heart. I didn't see my dad cry often but when I did it made me realize he had emotions too which made me weep with him.

Same!

11mos late, but just wanted to say that the only time that I cried the hardest was seeing my dad in tears for the first time after 20+ years of my lifetime.

I can tell you from experience with two deployments to Afghanistan, as a dad, you’re already crying before you see your kids and wife. Trying to think of what to say and what to do. And both times all I could do, was get down on my knees and embrace them and cry just as much as they were.

It seems like onions have reached to me in Florida as well! NZ family's reaction was so precious!

I'm just going down the commons here looking at people that talk about Vietnam. My brother served from 69 to 73 and you're right thank God he made it home also.

@@daytripper9222 My dad was up for retiring, but he seen to many of his friends going and decided to do a 2 year tour. That was a rough one. So many didn't make it home. My dad did not talk much about it. But I was and still so proud of him. Thank your brother for his service.

@@proudarmybrat3020 Sorry about your Dad's passing. We lost dad back in 2006. My dad was a police officer back in the day. Thank God he's not around today to see the madness. But anyway I live in Phoenix and luckily my brother only lives 5 minutes from me so we see a lot of each other. It's funny you brought that up about your dad not talking about Vietnam much because my brother is the same way. I think it was back in the '90s before I moved to Phoenix I was visiting him since he had lived here already and we were having a few drinks and I brought Vietnam up and that was the only time he ever talked about it I never brought it up again. Some of the things that he told me that he saw and seeing his buddies killed I knew we would never bring it up again. I think the two things that came out of it that was good was he made it home alive and that he still in contact with five of his buddies from Vietnam and they get together every 3 years.

@@daytripper9222 I'm in PA. Isn't that the truth about your dad. I don't know how these police officers do it. My dad did keep in contact with many of his buddies too. My mom and I made many friends also. I'm an only child, daddy's little girl. But we moved around a good bit with him here in the states and met some amazing friends on different army bases. It's not a life for the weak thats for sure. I know he had nightmares for a long time. Seen things no one should see. God bless them all.

@@proudarmybrat3020 God bless them indeed, 100%.

beautiful! ! God Bless you all!

Thank you for your service!

Thank you for your service!

I can't imagine this as a parent!! I have lived through it with my father (my husband was also in) and with myself going off to boot camp, etc. But to have a child, I don't know ... it must be SO hard.

God bless your family. Thank you.

May God bless you and your family.

Hi David my name is Casey and thank you for your service

Thank you for your service!