Memorial Day Thanks

[om21braz]

Thank you to all veterans, past & present and future. Most all of them choose to fight for this country that those coming after them might have a better life and we certainly have. I'll end with Thank You also to those who did'nt have a choice.

 

[Wesdor]

Barton,

Here are a few off the top of my head (I've been a judge both years and have been amazed at many of the interviews).

In most cases, I have had the honor of meeting these heroes. They are all very unassuming people who think they didn't do that much more than anyone else.

These are not in any rank order - just very impressive videos. I won't tip you off as to the exact areas - enjoy.

This should at least get you started with some stories that held my attention. BTW - they are an even mix of pacific and european theaters.

George Zak
William Murphy
Harold Pankey
Donald McCall

 

[Barton]

Wesdor, Thanks.

 

[SAME4x4]

I second the thoughts already stated here: Thank you to all who have served and to all those who continue to serve.

Godspeed to You and Yours,
mathew

 

[/pine]

Not to take anything away from our active service men and women and all the US service Veterans...but "Memorial Day" is meant to honor those that died during service to their/our country...

The day is set aside to honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice...


Nov. 11. is set aside to honor ALL veterans...

 

[RadarTech]

Pine is correct..
for a history of Memorial Day..
Memorial Day History


And for a story on the last surviving WWI Veteran
Frank Buckles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Home Page


To all my fellow Veterans:

"Please take this moment and reflect on our brothers in arms that have marched into the sunset (Army), reported to serve with Davy Jones(Navy), flown the final salute (Air Force) and gone on to Guard Heavens Streets (Marines) as they gave us all the right to be here today."

I don't remember where I read that, and I may not have gotten it exactly right... But they should be the focus of today's thoughts, God Bless you old friends..


J

 

[Cougar300]

Hope everyone is having an enjoyable and safe weekend.

My Dad was a WWII Veteran, this is the first Memorial Day without him.
Placed a Flag at his grave Thursday. Nice to see all the flags at the cemetary.

Don't forget to remember because...

It is the
VETERAN,
not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the
VETERAN,
not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the
VETERAN,
not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the
VETERAN,
not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the
VETERAN,
not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the
VETERAN,
not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.


It is the
VETERAN who
salutes the Flag

It is the
VETERAN
who serves
under the Flag,

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

God Bless them all!

__________________

 

[QRTRHRS]

I was reading an article printed in USA Today while at work today. I should have looked at the date of print, it could not have been a day or so old. Anyway, the article had the number of war dead through the years and battles.

The war in Afghanistan is coming up on 104 months. We were officially in Vietnam for 103 months. The difference in dead is amazing. No comfort to those who have lost loved ones but high tech is amazing.

What is also an eye opener is the number of dead from our obviously not so Civil War. On this day, I would hope that people can set aside their believes or prejudices and focus on the bravery of those who fought for what they believed to be right.

We do indeed owe our day to day existence to those who have paid the greatest sacrifice.

While we are all tired of Iraq and Afghanistan, the reality is that we need to be there.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Thanks Dad!

WW2 photo.