Memorial Day

[phdhorn 6225]

Here's remembering those who in their military capacity lost their lives in battle and/or while in service to the country.



(BTW, in case anyone wonders, the proper protocol is to fly the flag at half mast until noon, then raise it full mast).

[Message Board User 12405]

 

[Hate 20247]

[kegman 187]

I posted this a few years back on facebook.  It is still what I think about every memorial day, and I thought it might be appropriate here.   

 

Five summers ago I was lucky enough to get to spend a weekend with one of my heroes. Along with my grandfather, my brother, and my cousin, I attended a reunion of my grandfather's unit from World War II.  It was a great time, but it also forever changed the way I look at Memorial Day. I have always had an appreciation for Veteran's Day. I know plenty of Veterans, and it happens to have been my grandmother's birthday. The problem with Memorial Day is that I didn't know anyone personally who had made the ultimate sacrifice. Poppy had told me plenty of stories about his days in the army prior to that moment, but they had tended to focus more on the positive.

 

A completely different side of my grandfather appeared when we approached one of the first exhibits at the museum. It was simply a sign on the wall that listed all of the soldiers who had fought in his unit and given their lives for us. As I stood with Poppy, he spoke a little softer and proceeded to point out the stories behind the names. "He died right in front of me." "He was my best friend." As he continued on through many more names, both of us started to tear up. I remember at one point toward the end of the list, Poppy said that he was providing cover fire to one of the names. He then trailed off as he stated that he guessed he didn't do a good enough job. It tore me apart to see one of my heroes hurt like that, and I just wanted to make him feel better.

 

While I felt sad, I also felt honored that Poppy had shared with me some of his heroes and how much they meant to him. Sorry if this was too long, but it's Memorial Day. Thank you to all of Poppy's brothers and sisters in arms and all of our heroes who gave everything for us.

[Armybrat 41388]

RIP Cousin Gary.

https://www.virtualwall.org/dd/DouganCG01a.htm

 

[MissingInAction 25554]

The Viet Nam memorial down at the Capitol

 

[texanbychoice 356]

Line from a short memoir my Grandfather wrote.

[Constant 6885]

Edited May 31, 2021 by Constant

[BillyGoatHill 4420]

The youngest of 3 of my great Uncles (brothers of my grandmother) that served in the Pacific. KIA while his company led the assault to take Motayama Airfield #2 on Iwo Jima Feb. 24, the day after the flag raising. He had just turned 19 yrs old 3 weeks earlier. RIP Uncle "Bunch" 🇺🇸

Edited May 31, 2021 by BillyGoatHill

[clapclapclap 9000]

 

Edited May 31, 2021 by clapclapclap

[brakeman 28744]

i love french fries and america!

[Jkwellborn 7032]

i love french fries and america!

I’ve seen that before. It’s always awesome. Like one of the comments says, the sound really sets it off.

[Jkwellborn 7032]

SSgt Sam Castle. Al Asad, Iraq. 11 May 2005. 26 fucking years old. I still remember what I was doing when I found out.

[Jkwellborn 7032]

I’ll go ahead and mention the sailors lost on the USS Iowa as well. I knew a guy that was aboard ship when the explosion happened.

[brakeman 28744]

[InkaUtexas 26860]

I have buried a few friends. Lost an entire team in Helmand and I want to remember then tonight. Being Afghans they don't have a day. 

I celebrated well, and here I sit. Simon and Garfunkel is playing, and I tip my glass to all of them. Americans and those who stood with us. 

A rock feels no pain, and an island never cries. I might. Damn I miss my friends. 

[InkaUtexas 26860]

3 hours ago, brakeman said:

i love french fries and america!

Lafayette baby... I was asked tonight to co-write a book for someone from their SF. Fuck any American who does not realize France is our best ally. 

 

[Ridingtosunset 129]

3 hours ago, brakeman said:

i love french fries and america!

This is humbling. Not just the sacrifices that were made by young men who would've experienced some of the most prosperous times in this country had they made it home, but the reverence and gratitude from French citizens almost 80 years later. 

[ABSR 5369]

15 hours ago, Ridingtosunset said:

This is humbling. Not just the sacrifices that were made by young men who would've experienced some of the most prosperous times in this country had they made it home, but the reverence and gratitude from French citizens almost 80 years later. 

We pulled in to Toulon France and were there over Bastille day, July 14th  (Their 4th of July equivalent).  They invited various groups from our ship into their homes for personal gatherings and parties, and held a formal ceremony as well which we were invited as honored guests.

Those who remember and honor the sacrifices and bonds are dying and aging out, but the older generation there remembers and definitely honors the sacrifice.

[Gil Bang 26230]

I missed this thread, but Monday I thought a lot about my kid’s 5 platoon mates that didn’t make it home from Afghanistan. But, I often do.

[Willfully Horn 8258]

Army Lt Co Barnard Kemter spoke at a Memorial Day event in Hudson, Ohio.

“During his speech, Kemter, whom the Journal reported was the keynote speaker for the event, discussed the history of the holiday, including the discovery of newspaper clippings and handwritten notes that showed a group of freed Black people were among the first to commemorate the holiday following the surrender of the Confederacy.

”The audio was cut on (his) microphone ... shortly after he began discussing the role Black people played in the holiday's origins in an incident that local media report was no accident.”

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/556607-organizer-cuts-off-veterans-mic-when-he-discusses-role-black?amp&__twitter_impression=true

 

Posted out of respect for all our veterans, and for the ideals of the country so many died to protect.

 

Edited June 4, 2021 by Willfully Horn
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