A 2011 Memorial Day Thread - Please Keep It Going Until May 30

[imjin138]

This Sunday at 11:00 AM I will be representing my boss at the Veteran's Cemetary in Dover WI. It is a state run facility next door to us. In the past few years every day several times a day you hear taps and the volley of the firing squad laying another Veteran to rest.

They have a ceremony on Sunday with the missing man table, a VFW band, some bag pipers and guest speakers. Last years guest speaker was a WWII veteran of Iwo Jima. Some state senators come by and local politicians, the Patriot Guard is there but most of the people are family members of men and women who rest there. Last year it was close to 800 people.

I go because none of the people I work with ever served in the Military and they usually they have other plans. The first year I went my boss asked me if I would mind going in her place, I said I would be honored to do so. I usually leave there misty eyed.

 

[Indiana George]

An honor indeed, Stan.

 

[Indiana George]

All gave some . . . Some gave all

 

[nostraDONus]

a bump back up for those that sacrificed.

 

[Frank46]

I would like to post a rememberance to all of my shipmates that persihed
due to a fire aboard the USS FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT CVA42 during our westpac cruise. They will not be forgotten. Frank

 

[labworm]

This Sunday at 11:00 AM I will be representing my boss at the Veteran's Cemetary in Dover WI. It is a state run facility next door to us. In the past few years every day several times a day you hear taps and the volley of the firing squad laying another Veteran to rest.

They have a ceremony on Sunday with the missing man table, a VFW band, some bag pipers and guest speakers. Last years guest speaker was a WWII veteran of Iwo Jima. Some state senators come by and local politicians, the Patriot Guard is there but most of the people are family members of men and women who rest there. Last year it was close to 800 people.

I go because none of the people I work with ever served in the Military and they usually they have other plans. The first year I went my boss asked me if I would mind going in her place, I said I would be honored to do so. I usually leave there misty eyed.

The reason you leave there misty eyed, is because you know what it's all about.

All you Vets, have a nice Memorial Day and thank God we can observe such an important day.

 

[labworm]

Up to the top one more time.

 

[imjin138]

Went to the ceremony today, lots of politicians had a VFW band, the bagpipers and a women folk singing quartet, they sang God Bless the USAand the Ballad of the Green Berets. A Brigadier General was the guest speaker.

There was lots of people even though it threatened rain it didn't stop people from coming. A few rows from me I saw an older gentleman in a wheel chair who had trouble standing his wife couldn't help him but a man behind him held and steadied him so he could salute during TAPS.

During the wreath laying ceremony they had two wreaths one from the Vietnam Vetrans association and one from the Gold Star Mothers, the woman and her husband laid a wreath in memory of their son KIA in Iraq.

During the ceremony I thought of my Father in Law in 1943 he quit school in Saukville to join the Navy, he served in the Pacific driving landing craft to the beach, got called back for Korea and did pretty much the same. None of his children knew he had a Purple Heart until after he died.

I can't think of any better way to spend time today.

God Bless all the Vets and their families.

 

[ladder13]

From the neighborhood:



BARRY LEVINSON
CPL - E4 - Army - Selective Service
25th Infantry Division

Length of service 0 years
His tour began on Nov 22, 1968
Casualty was on Jan 24, 1969
In BINH DUONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died of wounds, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered

Panel 34W - Line 71






TOMMY MCGARRY

LCPL - E3 - Marine Corps - Regular

Length of service 2 years
Casualty was on Jul 2, 1967
In QUANG TRI, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ARTILLERY, ROCKET, or MORTAR
Body was recovered

Panel 22E - Line 111

 

[firearmsunlimited]

Staff Sergeant Edward A. Troutman served as an aerial gunner with the 392nd Bomb Group, 576th Bomb Squad during WWII.

In one of the last letters written to his parents he said:
"We have the greatest country in the world and it is damn worth fighting and even dying to keep."

On May 29th 1944 he did die fighting for his country during a bombing mission over Politz Germany.

 

[jagen heie]

to those who served.


some of you paid the ultimate price, you fought and died upholding your beliefs, you never made it back but your will lives on.

others came home to learn their fight had just began, they lived with their wounds, their memories. you ran the race. you can pass the baton.

to all those who served, to all those who will serve. I salute you with pride. may you never be forgotten. your sacrifices, your deeds, your bravery will live on in the hearts and minds of future generations. may your actions inspire others to protect and serve.

 

[NCTexan]

My wife and I had the opportunity to live in France for four years and visited the Normandy Cemetery a number of times.

Whether sunny or overcast, it was always beautiful and inspiring beyond words.

This misty morning picture turned out to be one of my favorite shots.

 

[Old cop]

I served as a Navy Corpsman in Nam in '66 w/a Marine rifle company. When I returned home it was to the scorn of "hippies" who called me baby-killer without even knowing what my role was.

I'm glad to see that our nation now honors the troops that serve. It has been a long time coming.

 

[labworm]

Meaning without words

 

[semperfi71]

Go to the Wall alone, start at the beginning and then commence to reading the names in silence, and let your thoughts roam free.

I find myself thinking, "Who was this man (there should also be eight women there) and what would he have become if he wasn't here?"

Would he have become a doctor, an auto mechanic, a businessman, would she have become someone's mother?

I have had my wife and daughter do the same without comment from me and then I asked them their thoughts, they were the same as mine.

God Bless All That Gave Their Last Mortal Breath For Us.