Veterans Day 2017 (A message from Apop)

[apophis775]

Today is Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, and Armistace Day, depending on where in the world you are.

Originally, it was a day to mark the anniversary of WWI, which ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month on 1918. It has however, within the US, evolved to become a day to honor all our Military Veterans.

For much of the US it's a day that all Military Veterans (past and present) are thanked and honored for their service. But for us Veterans (as many of you know, I'm a US Army Veteran), it takes on a different meaning. It's a day we get together to share stories, remember the friends that we've lost, and honor those who currently serve. Normally, I get together with a group of Veterans made up of our group from the Veterans Club at my college, to friends I've met and kept throughout the years.

That being said, I thought I'd try to do something extra this year, since we've got this big community.

Our donations have been closed for well over a year and a half, because we've had what we needed to keep the server running and we didn't want to seem like we were greedy or out to make a profit. However, during the time we've been closed, dozens (if not hundreds) of people have messaged me offering donations for CM in thanks of us making and running the server, or to help keep us running and I've always denied them. So, I know that there are people out there who are willing to donate to us, so I'd like to ask that if have ever considered supporting us, you consider maybe instead donating your money to somewhere that needs the money more than CM does. Below, you'll find links to several Veteran Charities that are ALWAYS looking for funds to help improve the quality of life for Veterans who are down on their luck. Myself, I was fairly lucky, that when I got out I was able to go to college right away, graduate with 2 degrees, and get a job teaching and doing contract work within the film industry, but there are many others that were not so lucky. These charities are necessities that help them when other forms of assistance have failed. So again, if you've ever considered supporting CM with a donation, instead consider sending a donation to one of these following charities. I promise you, right now, they need the help way more than we will. I'm very proud of both the Dev and Staff team and we aren't going anywhere anytime soon. But donations to these charities can make a real difference.

Again, please, if I've ever thought of donating to CM, or you're one of those people who have messaged me about donating to sustain the server (or to thank us for hosting/making CM), please consider donating to one of these organizations. I put this together fairly last-minute, so I don't have anything setup to offer back to you other than my thanks and the knowledge that you can help make a difference to a Veteran somewhere out there.

Here's the list and a short summary of each:

Fisher House is a charity that helps support both Veterans and their families. It helps provide housing when Veterans are receiving treatments for medical issues. Considering the state of the VA, this is a very important charity as sometimes Veterans have to travel across the country to see a proper specialist.

Disable American Veterans helps disabled Veterans with everything from rides to appointments to assisting with benefit paperwork. My own injury being fairly unimpactful (outside not being able to run or lift very heavy objects) I can not even fathom what it is like for some of the Veterans who have lost limbs in combat. This charity helps to take care of them and make their lives a bit easier.

Hire Heros USO is a service which helps make the transition from Service Member to Employed Citizen much easier. One of the absolute most difficult things to do as a Veteran is find a job. Outside of law enforcement, there isn't much of a demand for people with military experience. If you aren't an officer, it can be a nightmare to get a job. This group helps make it easier and gives much needed assistance with preparation for Jobs.

Stack-Up is a charity built to help provide support to deployed service-members and Veterans. They send care packages consisting of Video-games, and Video-game Paraphernalia to those deployed outside the US, and also help Veterans coping with PTSD through Video-games. It may not seem like the best treatment of PTSD, but one of the difficult things with coming back from a war-zone is reintegration, and the escape offered by Videogames can help when the pressure gets to be too much. They are associated with many different companies (including Humble Bundle sometimes) and are a new, but rapidly growing charity. I'm actually slowly becoming involved with a local chapter.


So, I ask again, if you've ever considered donating to CM to help us, consider sending that donation to these charities to help them instead. CM is good right now, and these charities can always use the help.


Thanks for reading this if you've read the whole thing, and please spread the word this Veterans day, that one of the best ways you can thank Veterans is by donating to one of the charities that help Veterans.

[Lumdor]

Doing my service by doing 24 hour staff duty on Veterans Day.

Thanks for the links by the way; throwing $50 at one of them.

[Lumdor]

-snip-

Proof

[Tylaaaaar]

Very grateful for what our cousins over the pond have done for us, UK, and the US have one of the strongest bonds ever throughout military history, full respect to the American, British, Canadian, French, anyone who has served in these mass conflicts.. I honestly wish I could donate however I am broke but the fullest respect to these brave men.

[apophis775]

Doing my service by doing 24 hour staff duty on Veterans Day.

Thanks for the links by the way; throwing $50 at one of them.

Thanks for donating to one of the charities!
Also,
Who did you piss off to get that?
In my old unit only the people on the CSM shitlist got Friday or Saturday SD.

[Lumdor]

Thanks for donating to one of the charities!
Also,
Who did you piss off to get that?
In my old unit only the people on the CSM shitlist got Friday or Saturday SD.

Replacing someone because they can't fit into their asu's anymore because they got fat.

[apophis775]

Replacing someone because they can't fit into their asu's anymore because they got fat.

Then they should be in PTs in the front-leaning-rest position or wearing full battle rattle for the duration.


Did they Army just get SUPER FAT when I was gone? I remember being like, 10lbs over after a 3 week leave once and being thrown into the double-PT group for like a month and running approximately 2,000 miles a day.

[Lumdor]

Then they should be in PTs in the front-leaning-rest position or wearing full battle rattle for the duration.


Did they Army just get SUPER FAT when I was gone? I remember being like, 10lbs over after a 3 week leave once and being thrown into the double-PT group for like a month and running approximately 2,000 miles a day.

Yes, yes it fucking did.

[Symbiosis]

Oh yeah... The Army got fat. Can confirm. I never had a PT test without a tape test afterward, personally.

Thanks for doing this, Apop! I've known a lot of Vets who after facing some really shitty stuff didn't really get back into the civvy life very well - these donations mean a lot. Thank you for everyone whom contributes and thanks a Vet today!

[Biolock]

Maybe we all just chill, eh? I remember running once, it was terrible.

[Karmac]

Pretty sure 100% of people that run die at some point in their life, no thanks.

[Casany]

Pretty sure 100% of people that run die at some point in their life, no thanks.

[Rataca100]

Its generally became a general day for the military.( for the commonwealth) Also, Running is cultural appropriation from the Africans. :P

[Mook476]

o7 heroes

[Monoo]

You're a good man, apoppa

[Rustarus]

Apoppa is the best man alive.

[HR171]

I've been honoured to lay a wreath of poppies tomorrow in remembrance to all servicemen of the world who have lost their lives and to support veterans who have done so much for us all.
07 to all vets past and present, you are all heroes.

[Stripetail]

Thank you for your service, Apop, and a big thanks to all of our military folk who risked or gave it all for us back at home!

Another big thank you to all the staff that are putting in the time and sweat to keep this server running, and the community from eating themselves alive.

[DeadLantern]

Again, as this is actually veterans day, *salute

[Self Exitium]

*salutes*

[misterjoper]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7vvyR9AEtQ

[oprayx73]

had a pretty schweet barbecue on the day, also gave my neighbor who was in vietnam some ribs. feels good man

[kooarbiter]

Something obscure Alice in wonderland reference metaphor something