Happy 250th Birthday America!

[BajaRon]

First, I must say I'm surprised that I'm the one doing this. I waited, assuming one of you "Oorah!" types would jump on this one. I am an Oorah! guy myself. But I didn't come by it legitimately because I never served. 2 Brothers, a father, and a grandfather with a number of other relatives and friends have. But not me.

I am proud of each one. But I am especially proud of my brother-in-law. Command Master Chief on the USS Ronald Reagan for several years.

I did serve in the fire department along side X-Military personnel, and came to have a great respect for them. Even though some were a bit messed up in the head (by their own admission), yet they were always there when you needed them and they always had your back, no matter what. You could tell that danger was just a part of their life.

I never want to take for granted what they purchased for us with their sacrifice. I, along with millions of Americans, can honestly say, 'Thank you for your service'. It's the reason we are still free to chase our dreams.

 

[WisconsinDavid]

250 years of this experiment. Along with our warts and pimples, like every country that has ever existed, are times of clear skin and clear heads. This is an amazing country and a blessed one. I hope it will stand long beyond my days. And... I hope people remember to give thanks today for what you have inherited, at great expense and sacrifice, no matter your politics.

 

[Bangorbob]

Back at you and the rest of the whole world. Long live the USA!!!!

 

[canamjhb]

I well remember celebrating our 200th anniversary and never gave a thought to seeing our 250th. Happy to be here. I hope to stay up late enough to watch the fireworks tonight. At my age, that's not guaranteed. Happy Birthday USA!!!!!

 

[mecsw500]

No fireworks here, half the state is on fire and they've been banned for this year. I haven't heard any myself to be fair.

A couple of kids in a park fired bottle rockets at each other and set the place on fire, but they've been caught and their fire department managed to put it out before too much damage was done. I think their parents are going to get a nice bill considering airborne fireworks are illegal here and their parents must have bought them for them in Wyoming.

Police and Fire are on high alert tonight. I don't need my house burned down. Next problem day will be the 24th which is celebrating us as a state, Pioneer Day. We shall see what plays out then.

But happy 250th everybody.

 

[Bfromla]

Sooo did everyone (who had a chance) appropriately RYDE 250 miles?? Please...

 

[Little Blue]

Happy Birthday to 'Good ole USA'.

DEFINITELY LOVE IT.
Thanks for all who Served.

God Bless the USA

 

[pegasus1300]

Sooo did everyone (who had a chance) appropriately RYDE 250 miles?? Please...

Hmmmm I never thought of that! I'm still in a patriotic mood so maybe Monday.

Ron, I think you sell yourself short. Your service was just in a different area. But very important to maintaining this country. I am very grateful for the spirit that motivates people like yourself to become servants to public safety. Like yourself, I have not served in the military. The closest I have come to that is a brother, a son, a son in law, and a grand daughter. I have and do support all those who do. Happy 4th of July to the USA and all her defenders.

BTW, a good movie to see this patriotic season is Young Washington. Good history of Washington as a young man.

 

[Woodaddict]

Happy birthday America!!! The Washington DC fireworks were amazing on TV. would have been something to be there in person. Commentators said 860,000 fireworks!!

 

[Albec]

First, I must say I'm surprised that I'm the one doing this. I waited, assuming one of you "Oorah!" types would jump on this one. I am an Oorah! guy myself. But I didn't come by it legitimately because I never served. 2 Brothers, a father, and a grandfather with a number of other relatives and friends have. But not me.

I am proud of each one. But I am especially proud of my brother-in-law. Command Master Chief on the USS Ronald Reagan for several years.

I did serve in the fire department along side X-Military personnel, and came to have a great respect for them. Even though some were a bit messed up in the head (by their own admission), yet they were always there when you needed them and they always had your back, no matter what. You could tell that danger was just a part of their life.

I never want to take for granted what they purchased for us with their sacrifice. I, along with millions of Americans, can honestly say, 'Thank you for your service'. It's the reason we are still free to chase our dreams.

Oorah is proper for the Marines

Hooah is proper for the Army

Hooyah is proper for the Navy

Where ‘hooah,’ ‘oorah,’ and ‘hooyah’ came from and why they still echo​

Where ‘hooah,’ ‘oorah,’ and ‘hooyah’ came from and why they still echo

The battle cries “hooah,” “oorah,” and “hooyah” aren’t just calls; they’re part of service life. Each carries a history steeped in grit and camaraderie.

www.militarytimes.com

I was in the Army for four years, from 1976 to 1980. An Amor crewman at Ft Carson, CO. During that time, I never once heard anyone say Hooah, ever.

 

[Poppie65]

I did serve in the fire department along side X-Military personnel, and came to have a great respect for them. Even though some were a bit messed up in the head (by their own admission), yet they were always there when you needed them and they always had your back, no matter what. You could tell that danger was just a part of their life.

This may just be the most accurate statement I've read on this forum. Thank you Ron.

 

[Little Blue]

Definitely support Our firefighters. This morning I watched on TV News about all of the fires. Just a terrible ordeal across the USA.

Sending out Prayers for everyone who is dealing with a Fire.
Remember to be Safe.

 

[BajaRon]

Wildland firefighting is considered, by some in the profession, as a 2nd class, 'wannabe' position. I did 2/3's of my career in wildland, mostly in Southern California, though I fought fire all across the State and into other places that were burning down with vigor, like Montana and Wyoming. Even participated in the Yellowstone Fire of 1988. I was just one of the over 25,000 firefighters committed to that event, which burned 793,000 acres - about 36% of the park. But very few know what really happened there. It was well suppressed. Government does not appreciate people knowing about their mistakes. Especially when it involves a beloved National Park.

I did 1/3rd of my career in structure fire. It was also quite rewarding, saving lives instead of homes. Though you can't imagine the feeling when you're able to accomplish either one. I enjoyed both. But wildland was my preferred environment. It is still low tech, wild west, shoot from the hip and rely on your training, instincts, and crew by pure necessity. Yes, there have been some technological upgrades over the years. But the firefighter on the ground has changed very little.

It’s the same in any hazardous 1st responder environment. Make a mistake and it can really cost you in a hurry. Looking back, I’m amazed we didn’t injure or kill more people. Management wanted us to fight fire safely. And while there is some value to that, it’s not really possible to do the job and always be truly safe. Wildland fire will hunt you down, it will outrun you, it will block your exit, and it won’t care.

Most firefighters don't see themselves as heroes. Just people doing a job that they love, knowing that, when successful, it was all worth it.

I loved it!

 

[mecsw500]

Wildland firefighting is considered, by some in the profession, as a 2nd class, 'wannabe' position. I did 2/3's of my career in wildland, mostly in Southern California, though I fought fire all across the State and into other places that were burning down with vigor, like Montana and Wyoming. Even participated in the Yellowstone Fire of 1988. I was just one of the over 25,000 firefighters committed to that event, which burned 793,000 acres - about 36% of the park. But very few know what really happened there. It was well suppressed. Government does not appreciate people knowing about their mistakes. Especially when it involves a beloved National Park.

I did 1/3rd of my career in structure fire. It was also quite rewarding, saving lives instead of homes. Though you can't imagine the feeling when you're able to accomplish either one. I enjoyed both. But wildland was my preferred environment. It is still low tech, wild west, shoot from the hip and rely on your training, instincts, and crew by pure necessity. Yes, there have been some technological upgrades over the years. But the firefighter on the ground has changed very little.

It’s the same in any hazardous 1st responder environment. Make a mistake and it can really cost you in a hurry. Looking back, I’m amazed we didn’t injure or kill more people. Management wanted us to fight fire safely. And while there is some value to that, it’s not really possible to do the job and always be truly safe. Wildland fire will hunt you down, it will outrun you, it will block your exit, and it won’t care.

Most firefighters don't see themselves as heroes. Just people doing a job that they love, knowing that, when successful, it was all worth it.

I loved it!

Anybody who fights fires, no matter the type or location, are heroes in my book. Three wildfire firefighters died a few weeks back in a Utah/Colorado border fire, a male and two females. Two other fire fighters were badly injured. An ultimate sacrifice. Not much of a wannabe position for them.

It doesn't matter much which kind of fire fighter you are if you wind up dead or injured, and I suspect every kind of firefighting situation has that as a very possible outcome, no matter how safe you try to be. And it doesn't even have to be a fire that's being responded to.

My hat's off to all of you, irrespective of the particular firefighting discipline you work or worked in. Not a job I could do.

 

[BajaRon]

Anybody who fights fires, no matter the type or location, are heroes in my book. Three wildfire firefighters died a few weeks back in a Utah/Colorado border fire, a male and two females. Two other fire fighters were badly injured. An ultimate sacrifice. Not much of a wannabe position for them.

It doesn't matter much which kind of fire fighter you are if you wind up dead or injured, and I suspect every kind of firefighting situation has that as a very possible outcome, no matter how safe you try to be. And it doesn't even have to be a fire that's being responded to.

My hat's off to all of you, irrespective of the particular firefighting discipline you work or worked in. Not a job I could do.

Everyone has their niche, their area of excellence. Some are better at it than others. But we all do our part in this world. And that makes everything better than it was when we began. In that respect, we are all heroes, sung or unsung. You know in your heart if you've done a good job. And that should always be enough...