The DU Lounge

RetiredParatrooper

(219 posts) Wed Dec 10, 2025, 04:22 PM Dec 2025

214

Hello DU!

Looooooooooong time reader, about from the beginning (2001-2002ish).

Army veteran retired after 20, (Kosovo, OIF x2, OEF x1).Husband and Father. Probably best described as a New Deal Democrat, Pro-Choice (not that women need my input), Pro LGBTQIA+ (my sister was Trans).

We have a country to save from the 'Christian' Fascists. Let's Roll.

57 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Hello DU! (Original Post) RetiredParatrooper Dec 2025 OP

Welcome Aboard Teammate BOSSHOG Dec 2025 #1

Welcome to DU RetiredParatrooper! Grim Chieftain Dec 2025 #2

Airborne! Enter stage left Dec 2025 #3

Welcome to DU, RetiredParatrooper! sheshe2 Dec 2025 #4

Welcome! Katinfl Dec 2025 #5

Welcome! justaprogressive Dec 2025 #6

Wow, a lurker for 23 or 24 years! PatSeg Dec 2025 #7

Welcome to DU, RetiredParatrooper. So glad you found us. debm55 Dec 2025 #8

HEY it's about time you joined us RetiredParatrooper! Skittles Dec 2025 #9

Welcome. appleannie1 Dec 2025 #10

Welcome to DU Marthe48 Dec 2025 #11

Welcome!! chowder66 Dec 2025 #12

Welcome to DU. mahina Dec 2025 #13

Thanks for your service! WmChris Dec 2025 #14

Welcome to DU! n/t livetohike Dec 2025 #15

Welcome! SallyHemmings Dec 2025 #16

Welcome to DU Warpy Dec 2025 #17

You open mind and opinions are welcome, as are you. twodogsbarking Dec 2025 #18

Welcome! FemDemERA Dec 2025 #19

From one liberal spirit to another... ananda Dec 2025 #20

Welcome orangecrush Dec 2025 #21

nice to meet you! markie Dec 2025 #22

Welcome! ZDU Dec 2025 #23

I was a longtime lurker too, RetiredParatroper. Welcome aboard. Borogove Dec 2025 #24

Glad to have you here with us, RetiredParatrooper. democrank Dec 2025 #25

Welcome aboard! SheltieLover Dec 2025 #26

Welcome aboard! 70sEraVet Dec 2025 #27

Welcome to the group MustLoveBeagles Dec 2025 #28

Welcome! LuvLoogie Dec 2025 #29

Hi, RP! 👋 ... littlemissmartypants Dec 2025 #30

Welcome. Nice resume' except for that willingly jumping out of a perfectly good plane part. surfered Dec 2025 #31

Welcome! Another one on the good side. Ziggysmom Dec 2025 #32

I'm glad you've decided to join DU FakeNoose Dec 2025 #33

Welcome aboard! MacKasey Dec 2025 #34

Amen! Welcome and Thank you! Joinfortmill Dec 2025 #35

Welcome RetiredParatrooper Clouds Passing Dec 2025 #36

Welcome GigiLeigh Dec 2025 #37

Welcome officially to our DU family. About time you came in from niyad Dec 2025 #38

Welcome proud patriot Dec 2025 #39

"" AllaN01Bear Dec 2025 #40

Welcome and appreciated! nt blue_jay Dec 2025 #41

Good to have you here, Paratrooper! Welcome! slightlv Dec 2025 #42

Saw this bumper sticker yesterday..... SlowSpeed Dec 2025 #43

AIRBORNE! TomSlick Dec 2025 #44

Welcome Home!...soups on.. MiHale Dec 2025 #45

Welcome to Turbineguy Dec 2025 #46

And Hello Back Atcha, RetiredParatrooper! calimary Dec 2025 #47

So glad you have "dropped in" from lurkdom. 3catwoman3 Dec 2025 #48

Welcome to the DU! (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Dec 2025 #49

Hello and glad you're here! Timeflyer Dec 2025 #50

Great to have you here! WinstonSmith4740 Dec 2025 #51

Welcome aboard Emile Dec 2025 #52

welcome. AllaN01Bear Dec 2025 #53

And remember Antifa means anti-fascist so join in! GreenWave Dec 2025 #54

Welcome! Grumpy Old Guy Dec 2025 #55

Welcome kooth Dec 2025 #56

Welcome Historic NY Dec 2025 #57

BOSSHOG

(44,738 posts)

1. Welcome Aboard Teammate

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 04:26 PM

Dec 2025

Canoe Club alum here. DU Chock full of Vets. See ya on campus.

Grim Chieftain

(1,997 posts)

2. Welcome to DU RetiredParatrooper!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 04:30 PM

Dec 2025

So glad you are here! I look forward to your posts.

I know many think it is often considered overused, but sincerely, thank you for your service.

Enter stage left

(4,634 posts)

3. Airborne!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 04:31 PM

Dec 2025

sheshe2

(98,371 posts)

4. Welcome to DU, RetiredParatrooper!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 04:33 PM

Dec 2025

Katinfl

(882 posts)

5. Welcome!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 04:34 PM

Dec 2025

Looking forward to your input. We love to hear from new people.

justaprogressive

(7,140 posts)

6. Welcome!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 05:05 PM

Dec 2025

Thanks for joining the fray!

PatSeg

(53,497 posts)

7. Wow, a lurker for 23 or 24 years!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 05:13 PM

Dec 2025

Welcome to DU! What made you finally sign up?

debm55

(61,581 posts)

8. Welcome to DU, RetiredParatrooper. So glad you found us.

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 05:15 PM

Dec 2025

Skittles

(172,773 posts)

9. HEY it's about time you joined us RetiredParatrooper!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 05:23 PM

Dec 2025

WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET

appleannie1

(5,476 posts)

10. Welcome.

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 05:24 PM

Dec 2025

Marthe48

(23,408 posts)

11. Welcome to DU

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 05:34 PM

Dec 2025

chowder66

(12,490 posts)

12. Welcome!!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 05:34 PM

Dec 2025

mahina

(20,703 posts)

13. Welcome to DU.

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 05:37 PM

Dec 2025

Aloha.

WmChris

(778 posts)

14. Thanks for your service!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 05:38 PM

Dec 2025

Vietnam Army Medic here We put the frontline folks back together as best we could.

livetohike

(24,402 posts)

15. Welcome to DU! n/t

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 05:39 PM

Dec 2025

SallyHemmings

(1,972 posts)

16. Welcome!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 05:39 PM

Dec 2025

Warpy

(114,650 posts)

17. Welcome to DU

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 05:42 PM

Dec 2025

People with better sight than mine will have to show you which windmills to tilt at, but it's a friendly bunch and you sound like you'll fit in fine as we face seemingly insurmountable odds as the billionaires attempt to turn us into one of Russia's vassal states so they can get richer.

twodogsbarking

(19,293 posts)

18. You open mind and opinions are welcome, as are you.

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 05:49 PM

Dec 2025

FemDemERA

(904 posts)

19. Welcome!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 05:59 PM

Dec 2025

ananda

(35,470 posts)

20. From one liberal spirit to another...

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 06:00 PM

Dec 2025

Welcome!

orangecrush

(31,076 posts)

21. Welcome

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 06:04 PM

Dec 2025

Sorry to have to meet under the countries present circumstances

markie

(24,044 posts)

22. nice to meet you!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 06:11 PM

Dec 2025

we certainly do have a Country to save!!

ZDU

(1,399 posts)

23. Welcome!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 06:14 PM

Dec 2025

Borogove

(632 posts)

24. I was a longtime lurker too, RetiredParatroper. Welcome aboard.

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 06:19 PM

Dec 2025

democrank

(12,670 posts)

25. Glad to have you here with us, RetiredParatrooper.

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 06:20 PM

Dec 2025

Looking forward to your comments.

SheltieLover

(81,620 posts)

26. Welcome aboard!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 06:22 PM

Dec 2025

70sEraVet

(5,604 posts)

27. Welcome aboard!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 06:24 PM

Dec 2025

My apologies for traditional naval greeting.

MustLoveBeagles

(17,174 posts)

28. Welcome to the group

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 06:28 PM

Dec 2025

LuvLoogie

(8,892 posts)

29. Welcome!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 06:30 PM

Dec 2025

littlemissmartypants

(34,293 posts)

30. Hi, RP! 👋 ...

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 06:40 PM

Dec 2025

Welcome to DU!

USCG military brat here. Daddy, who passed away five years ago yesterday, retired as a Captain with thirty three years. Lots of military here.

I host NC and Loners. I'm a farmer. I have a dog.

If I can help anyone in anyway, I try my best. That includes you, dear noob. 😉🤓

Enjoy!

❤️pants*

*There are two here. I'm smarty. The other is under. Remember we're never fully dressed without a smile.

surfered

(14,197 posts)

31. Welcome. Nice resume' except for that willingly jumping out of a perfectly good plane part.

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 06:45 PM

Dec 2025

Ziggysmom

(4,154 posts)

32. Welcome! Another one on the good side.

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 06:48 PM

Dec 2025

FakeNoose

(42,351 posts)

33. I'm glad you've decided to join DU

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 06:49 PM

Dec 2025

We need all the "good guys" we can get!

MacKasey

(1,532 posts)

34. Welcome aboard!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 06:52 PM

Dec 2025

Joinfortmill

(21,629 posts)

35. Amen! Welcome and Thank you!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 07:02 PM

Dec 2025

Clouds Passing

(8,171 posts)

36. Welcome RetiredParatrooper

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 07:09 PM

Dec 2025

GigiLeigh

(201 posts)

37. Welcome

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 07:11 PM

Dec 2025

aboard.

niyad

(133,934 posts)

38. Welcome officially to our DU family. About time you came in from

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 07:24 PM

Dec 2025

the cold! So much more fun when you can join in the conversation!

proud patriot

(102,564 posts)

39. Welcome

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 07:28 PM

Dec 2025

thank you for your service

AllaN01Bear

(29,774 posts)

40. ""

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 07:57 PM

Dec 2025

blue_jay

(278 posts)

41. Welcome and appreciated! nt

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 08:03 PM

Dec 2025

slightlv

(7,933 posts)

42. Good to have you here, Paratrooper! Welcome!

Reply to RetiredParatrooper (Original post)

Wed Dec 10, 2025, 08:03 PM

Dec 2025

You'll find a healthy family of vets here... and most us are chomping at the bit to pick up the pieces of our oaths and do good for the country, once again! (Viet Nam era AF LE veteran here).