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]

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]

Originally Posted by UnSalted

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

[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]

Originally Posted by heartc

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.

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!!

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