Memorial Day

[clayp]

Remember on this Memorial day all of the young men and women from the Greatest Generation that fought the great war and the ones that gave their all...And now we have to to go through it all again for the ones that are fighting the latest threat..

[mookiemookie]

:()1:Here's to the men on Eternal Patrol, as well as all the others who served and are serving.

[stuntcow]

To those who have, do or will serve. THANK YOU!!! You deserve more then we can ever show.

[Bane]

/salute

To all the men and women in uniform, past and present. Thank you.

[heartc]

Thank you for our freedom.

It's actually rather unpopular in today's Germany to put it as bluntly, but this doesn't take away from the fact that it is still the truth, and always will be. We were unable to achieve freedom for ourselves. The brave people who tried it unfortunately failed on the verge of getting it, back in 1848. Then we needed to get it bombed back into us, and finally got it in 1945, mostly thanks to the Americans who after the war did not agree to make this country an agricultural semi-slave state like the Soviets would have prefered it after the war.

Thank you. And I'm sorry for the lack of appreciation. It's just how it goes. You help someone, he's going to hate you for it. Because if he didn't, he would have to accept and acknowledge his own incompetence in the past. And this is a hard thing to do - for a single man, and then even harder for a whole people.

Still, the truth is what happened, and I thank you for it and will not forget.

[UnSalted]

My father was stationed in post-war Germany. The appreciation was shown by your countrymen then, let me assure you.

I think Memorial Day should be reserved for those who went into wars in foreign lands and didn't come back and those currently at war. Those of us who made it back are already thanked just by being back home.

[heartc]

My father was stationed in post-war Germany. The appreciation was shown by your countrymen then, let me assure you.

I know, but times have changed, let me assure you. And not just since W. Bush. And sadly, I have to tell you that most of what your father was probably seeing back then was the phenomenon of there being not a single Nazi anymore after 1945. They all just miracously disappeared from the face of earth, and the Nazi party before just fell down from Mars and got their support by robbots which they brought with them. There were no Nazis to be found in defeated Germany of 1945. A miracle...

But I know old people today who tell "Oh, Hitler wasn't all that bad really" and I know young people who think the Americans stink and freedom is just a lie - and frightingly, for some of the same reasons which Goebbels put up in his propaganda material back in the 40s. "America as a perversion of European culture" anyone? This was original Goebbels and you can read similar **** along those lines in todays newspapers, not just in Germany, but accross Europe (funnily, mostly in those countries which were part of the Axis back then - and Vichy France...). I know why I plan to emigrate to the US. Maybe things will relax, but if the Europeans are going to doom themselves yet another time by their own stupidity, phobias, envy and ignorance, I'm not going to be part of it.

[MONOLITH]

Something I wrote several years ago after becoming friends with some of the surviving operatives of the Blackhawk Down incident. At the time it was a bit specific to them, but I think it also speaks out to all members of the Armed Forces.

"I feel compelled to say a few things. Especially now, while the feelings are fresh.

I have to confess, that like most of the non-BTDTs that payed for the movie ticket to see Black Hawk Down, I did so out of the thrill and excitement of seeing this "cool action movie" about some really wild firefight that went down in Somalia.

What a stupid, naive perspective.

After experiencing the book, I feel nothing but guilt and shame at having been one of those people. I use the term "experience", because one does not just "read" this story. A person can read a Tom Clancy novel, or a history book, but to be exposed to and truly absorb the Mog story is to take a journey that you don't come back the same from. No one can read this, and not be changed by it. For two days now I haven't been able to sum up what I feel. I know I have been humbled, wondering how I would hold up under the circumstances those men endured.

What a shame it is that this society teaches children to worship Spiderman, when there are men like Mr.Shughart and Mr.Gordon. I have trouble leaving my wife and children to go to work in the morning. I can't imagine being half a world away, knowing I will never see them again, and doing it voluntarily. I am in awe of the bravery, the heroism, the honor, and the un-thinkable sacrifice of it all.

What a shame that the majority of Americans go about their trivial little lives, "expecting" their freedom and safety. Never lifting a finger to have it, nor having any concept of why they have it. This society pays millions of dollars to men who play basketball, baseball and football. We honor them as gods. US Military gets a medal pinned on, a stripe on the sleeve, and a "Thanks, now go home and pay your bills like everyone else." If only the men who come home from fighting a war could be given the same respect, money, and accolades as some college kid who kicks a winning field goal.

What an unbelievable injustice.

Gen. George S. Patton said something once, to the effect of "I've always wanted to lead a group of desperate men, in a desperate battle, against overwhelming odds". I believe his intent was, while under duress, to bring out the very best warrior in a man, and bask in the glory of his victory. As a child when I heard it, it impressed me, and I wanted to emulate it. I wanted to be one of those men. Now I'm not so sure I feel that way. The mission in Mog became such a battle. And Patton was right, the very best was brought out of men, under duress. But there is no glory to be had. There is no real victory. The cost and sacrifice of Patton's romantic notion outweighs all else.

I have a new definition of what a hero is, and a new understanding of the cost of being one. I wish this nation would do more to educate the non-BTDTs what Memorial Day really means.

So I come away from this with a new perspective on a great many things. For two days I have been carrying around a strange mixture of both sadness and pride.
Sadness for the death and the sorrow and the pain and the sacrifice. Pride, for being reminded of exactly what makes America great. The men and women who stand tall in the face of unyielding horror. Men who forsake their own fears and needs to save the man next to them. Men who risk their own lives, simply to not leave someone behind.

God Bless you, and Thank you for what you have taught me here.

My deepest respect and gratitude to all veterans, that because of their sacrifices, my children will sleep peacefully and safely tonight in a free nation. "

~MONOLITH


http://www.MayhemOnStrings.com/Images/9214.jpg

[SteamWake]

~Salute~

We just lost a young boy here. A local boy.

Brave man. I give prayer and thanks for men like him.

[U-Bones]

I know why I plan to emigrate to the US. Maybe things will relax, but if the Europeans are going to doom themselves yet another time by their own stupidity, phobias, envy and ignorance, I'm not going to be part of it.

Coming to America will just buy you a few years, the Euros dont have the corner on the stupidity market. But I would be happy to buy you a beer and have a chat should you ever make it over this way.

/Salute to those who watered the tree of liberty, and all who were willing.

[SteamWake]

Please dont let this devolve into a political discussion.

Give thanks for those whom literally gave every thing they had for something they belived in.

[CaptainHaplo]

Let me tell you guys - having served myself - if you want to say thank you - the next time you see a man (or nowadays a woman) in uniform - just walk up - shake their hand and say thank you. Nothing means more. Whenever I am on the road and see a license plate with PH on it (meaning the owner recieved the Purple Heart) - I always try and let that person know - be it at the next stoplight - that I appreciate the sacrifces they have made. I have seen men who served in Korea and Vietnam, as my father did - tear up when they are told "Thank you".

If you can - support the families as well - for they also sacrifice. We are the lucky ones - who have made it home to enjoy the freedom so many have died for. It is to the heroes who have fallen who have paid a heavy price - but so have the wives and children who continue to pay. Remember them in your prayers as well.

As we sit and enjoy a holiday - take just one moment to commend the souls of the fallen forward. If you consider the magnitude of what we have in this life - it is thanks to the sacrifice of so many. A moment is all it takes to let the reality of that hit you.

To our fallen brethren - Rest in Peace. You are Fallen - But Never Forgotten. Your Sacrifice was not in vain.

[wstaub]

I also would like to pay homage to all those who have given their lives in service of this county, and to all whom served I salute you. On a sidenote My Grand-Uncle was at Pearl Harbor on the day the Japs bombed. He was serving in the Army and was at Hickham Field with blasting caps in one hand and dynamite in the other clearing out the coral atoll just off the shore.

[GT182]

There is something more you can do for our Vets in need..... Check here - http://www.jdbshow.com/vets.html Saying thankyou is one way, but giving a donation means so much more.

Makes no difference where you're from they all need our help. Or donate to the Vet Center nearest you. We can show our support even if our government won't. :yep:

I plan on collecting donations at our WWII Weekend show for the Mid Atlantic Air Museum June 1, 2, and 3. For the MAAM website go here.... www.maam.org
I hope to see some of you that are close enough to Reading, PA at the show. I'll be working all weekend at the French Village Gate (formerly the Main Gate).

[Major Johnson]

[quote=GT182]Saying thankyou is one way, but giving a donation means so much more.quote]

Usually I can't stand the people grubbing for money for some sort of fake charity that only goes toward their habit, but I never pass by the vets who are collecting for their cause!! Just today, I had walked out of a store and 2 vets were collecting. One was a Korean War vet and the other WW2. I shook both their hands and thanked them. The only cash I had on me was a 5 dollar bill, but it went in their jar. The WW2 guy was a aircraft mechanic who worked on B-29s!! I could have chatted with him for hours!! :up:

@ heartc
After you've had that beer with U-Bones, come and see me next!!:yep: You're alright in my book! :up:

[edjcox]

The tree of Liberty here in our Nation is fed by the Blood of Patriots....

Thanks to those who from the revolution onward have paid the price for the freedoms we enjoy...

My Flag is up out front, the light will stay lit till Tuesday dawns...

We lost another PA troop from Bucks county today.. So young..

I served my time in 1969 - 1973. I made it many freinds did not. I try to see them in my minds eye and reflect on teir innocence and how so many have because of them..

Thank you Veterans..

[UnSalted]

All who are near a VA Hospital should consider a phone call asking about their programs. In theses days of budget cuts, you'd be surprised how much something as simple as a donation of a magazine subscription or some used books means to those without.

[Lt. Cobra]

My dad served in the Korean conflict as a commander and was on the front lines in live combat for 9 months there. He didn’t talk much about it when he was alive because he just felt like that they didn’t really appreciate what we did for them then. My thanks and gratitude goes out to all of the brave men and women who have fought to defend our freedoms some of which never returned home to tell their story. May everyone remember those who gave all that they had. Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/5690/dadinarmyeb2.jpghttp://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4029/myironcoffinfa8.jpg

[GSpector]

http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/images/smilies/salute.gif (http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=0&forumid=20#)http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/images/smilies/salute.gif (http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=0&forumid=20#)http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/images/smilies/salute.gif (http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=0&forumid=20#)http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/images/smilies/salute.gif (http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=0&forumid=20#)http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/images/smilies/salute.gif (http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=0&forumid=20#)http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/images/smilies/salute.gif (http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=0&forumid=20#)http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/images/smilies/salute.gif (http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=0&forumid=20#)

A Seven hand salute to all those that have given their all for this Country.

And a http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/images/smilies/salute.gif (http://www.bombs-away.net/forums/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=0&forumid=20#) to those that are still with us.

[Bear]

To all the men & women of all nations and history, who did their duty; who had no say so in the politics of their nations (remains true today). To the fighting men & women in uniform who served, died and still serve.

I salute and honor you.

To my friends who did not come back with me from Nam or came back too changed to be able to make it in peace as they did in war. I miss you.

[joea]

I know, but times have changed, let me assure you. And not just since W. Bush. And sadly, I have to tell you that most of what your father was probably seeing back then was the phenomenon of there being not a single Nazi anymore after 1945. They all just miracously disappeared from the face of earth, and the Nazi party before just fell down from Mars and got their support by robbots which they brought with them. There were no Nazis to be found in defeated Germany of 1945. A miracle...

But I know old people today who tell "Oh, Hitler wasn't all that bad really" and I know young people who think the Americans stink and freedom is just a lie - and frightingly, for some of the same reasons which Goebbels put up in his propaganda material back in the 40s. "America as a perversion of European culture" anyone? This was original Goebbels and you can read similar **** along those lines in todays newspapers, not just in Germany, but accross Europe (funnily, mostly in those countries which were part of the Axis back then - and Vichy France...). I know why I plan to emigrate to the US. Maybe things will relax, but if the Europeans are going to doom themselves yet another time by their own stupidity, phobias, envy and ignorance, I'm not going to be part of it.

Well I've noticed some of that too. :dead:

[GT182]

Major J, I hope to see you in Reading at MAAM for the WWII Weekend show. I'll be working at the French Village Gate all weekend and I want to shake your hand. ~S!~

www.maam.org

[Chief of the Boat]

Just a gentle reminder, for the U.S. readers...'Decoration Day' was 30 May...

Memorial Day formerly occurred on May 30, and some, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), advocate returning to this fixed date, although the significance of the date is tenuous. The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day Address, "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."[1] Hawaii's Senator Daniel Inouye, a World War II veteran, has repeatedly introduced measures to return Memorial Day to its traditional day since 1998.

[hacksaw412]

Please join Americans everywhere in observance of the National Moment of Remembrance (http://www.remember.gov/) at 3PM local time on Memorial Day. It is a sad to know that so many children in America think of this day only as "the day the swimming pools open".

Pass the word! It's only one minute of your day, spent in quiet remembrance of those brave souls who served, and fought, and died in the service of our nation.

God Bless America, my home sweet home! God Bless all who call her friend!

Rich K

[Weather-guesser]

To all men and woman who have made the ultimate sacrafice for this great country.:yep:

[pocatellodave]

To my father and brother whom fought in WWI and WWII,to my buddies who fought with me in Viet Nam,to all service men who served,and espicially to those that gave thier all,and my buddies that didn't come home with me,I salute you all.God Bless the U.S.A.
Pocatellodave
USMC retired

[The Avon Lady]

Semper Fi (http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/28/memorial-day/).

[pj]

You will not be forgotten

[Bear]

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling, which thinks that nothing is worth war, is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature, and has no chance of being free unless made or kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." – John Stuart Mill


In Memorium:

In the Second Book of Shmuel (Samuel), 22nd chapter, 5th through the 20th verses, can perhaps aptly describe the fate of all submariners who died defending their county:

"When the waves of death compassed me / the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; / the bonds of She'ol encircled me; / the snares of death took me by surprise; / in my distress I called upon the Lord, / and cried to my God: / and he heard my voice out of his temple, / and my cry entered into his ears. / Then the earth shook and trembled; /the foundations of heaven moved / and shook because of his anger /...the heavy mass of waters, and thick clouds of the skies /... And the channels of the sea appeared, / the foundations of the world were laid bare, / at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast at the breath of his nostrils. / He sent from above, he took me; / he drew me out of many waters; / he delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me; for they were too strong for me. / They surprised me in the day of my calamity: / but the Lord was my stay / He brought me forth also into a large place: / he delivered me because he delighted in me./"

Least We Forget.

PS, Disclaimer: The above Memorium was found on a Submarine site listing lost subs and is not intended to be a statement of religion nor endorse any religious beliefs.

[MudMarine]

To All Men and Women Who Serve or have served,
To all those who have taken wounds and finally,
To those that have made the supreme scracrific and are remembered,

I take time today to bow my head and give thanks to my God for you. Your politices or faith is unimportant. What is important is that you have served or in service now to this country of ours, the United States of America.
I give my warmest thanks and I stand to attention and I salute you. Well done.

War is cruel and horrible and in these times certain men stand out, amoungs all others. During WWII, A troop transport, U.S.A.T. Dorchester, was torpedoed 150 miles from Greenland on Feb. 3rd, 1943 at 1 AM, in 20 minutes. Four men on this ill fated transport stood out as shining lights of brotherly love. They where Military Chaplains; Revernds Fox and Poling, Father Washington and Rabbi Goode. There story is of Humanity, love for others, courage and faith.

While the U.S.A.T was sinking they guided soliders and sailors to lifeboats, helped the wounded, distributed life jackets and when there where no more to distribute gave away thier own life jackets to others, thus sacrificing any chance of thier own survival. They where last seen near the stern at the rail, arm in arm, leading men in prayer and hyms. Out of 904 souls, 675 where lost.

The Military Chaplains of our services are the unsung Heros of this country, may they never be forgotten for thier service and sacrifice.

As you read this I ask that you come to attention as I do and give these special men and women of our Chaplain Service a Salute.

In thier Honor I make the following Links Available:

U.S.A.T. Dorchester
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USAT_Dorchester

Four Chaplians
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Chaplains

Four Chaplains
http://www.homeofheroes.com/brotherhood/chaplains.html

[clayp]

GREAT!!! post MudMarine....:up:

[USS_shipmaster]

Salute to all veterans from WWII till present. Brave hearts fought for their country, died or been wounded in the battle.
WWII took its toll from my family both grandfathers( Stalingrad and other one doed from wounds later ), grandma ( my moms line ) were fighting too.
27 *rapivins were lost only from my fathers line clan. 10 people from my mom line lost their life in nazi's concentration camps Bukhenvald and Osvencim (sorry for wrong spelling).
RIP heroes and victims of WWII
Vietnam, Korean, Afgan, Iraq wars veterans