DOING ONE'S DUTY --

[saltysam]

Here's a short blurb from my bookcase of Naval History. How Things Have Changed !

'Thank God I have done my duty.'

On October 21, 1805, off the coast of Spain, the fleet of the British Empire, under the command of Horatio Lord Admiral Nelson, engaged and decisively defeated a larger French and Spanish Navy.
Previously, Admiral Nelson had lost his right eye capturing Corsica and his right arm attacking the Canary Islands. He captured six and destroyed seven of Napoleon's ships at the Battle of the Nile and successfully assaulted Copenhagen. However, Admiral Nelson is best remembered (and immortalized) for winning one of the greatest naval battles in history, The Battle of Trafalgar.

The daring 47-year-old Nelson defeated Napoleon's [age 36] combined French and Spanish fleets, consisting of 33 ships with 2,640 guns off the coast of Spain.
Napoleon received fifteen million dollars two years earlier from selling 600 million acres to the United States [Louisiana Purchase], but it was not enough to change the outcome. Admiral Nelson's defeat of the French navy abruptly ended Napoleon's power at sea, and with it, his dreams of world conquest. The 90,000 French troops assembled on the coast of France were forced to abandon their plans of crossing the English Channel and invading Britain.
During the Battle of Trafalgar, cannonade and musket shot ripped apart ships at point blank range, killing or wounding nearly ten thousand. Admiral Nelson was fatally shot in the spine. He was carried below deck to the ship's surgeon where he died. Admiral Horatio Nelson's last words were: "Thank God I have done my duty."

 

[Thudpucker]

I just finished a "Historical Novel" about the 'chickens' brought to Louisiana in 1705. Called "Chickens" by the crews of the French ships, the girls were for Settlers in the Louisiana territory.

In this Novel and others it was vicariously mentioned that the Louisiana purchase stemmed from France needing Cash to hold off Russia.
In another Novel the writer mentions Thomas Jefferson as negotiating the Louisiana purchase because America North and South borders and needed Shore to shore border protection, and the French needed money to deal with the Russians.

I need large print books now or Audio Books. It's much easier to be your own Detective if you can see the words in print, rather than listen to somebody describing Mob attacking some Political bad guys. That's a story with no good ending at all.

 

[littlebookworm]

I like to believe that many of today's soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen and airwomen share the courage and determination of men like Admiral Nelson. Too many of them today have given their lives or parts of their bodies and minds in answer to their nation's call. I salute them all and thank them for their service whenever I meet them. I occasionally have veterans as students (I'm an adjunct pprofessor at a community college) and find them to be the most conscientious students in my classes. They've seen the real world and know the true value of an education. Some of them have seen students and teachers in other countries wounded or killed just to prevent education. They are true heroes.

 

[GeeBee]

On a recent trip to SFO, I sat next to a young lady who had an amputated leg. She was a pharmacist, serving in Afghanistan when her leg was blown off by a bomb. Her humility and cheerfulness in the face of what happened to her was unbelievable and.....she was looking forward to returning to duty. LBW is correct, they have courage and dedication beyond all expectations.

 

[j-d]

What a great thread, Bill!

We consistently try to make eye contact with uniformed military and thank them for their service. I'm not aware of many (if any) who have not responded appreciatively.

Thanks for opening this discussion!

 

[pdecat]

from time to time when I see people in uniform in a restaurant I have told the waitperson to put their bill on my card but not to tell them who did it. I don't need their gratitude they have mine.
Consider doing the same if you can.