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

[nostraDONus]

Let's use this thread to remember and thank all veterans who gave up their lives in service to our country. For current military or former military, let this show the respect and gratitude we have for their sacrifice to keep us protected and free.

I hope that by Memorial Day we can build this thread up to be a great tribute to those who never set out to be heroes, but in the end showed the spirit and determination that served us through wars and continues to keep us safe today. Many of their selfless acts never get recognition. Most major media sources don't care, or only cover it to appear interested. We can do it right here.

For those of us who have not had the honor to visit Arlington, the Vietnam Memorial or WWII Memorial, it may be a reminder of what the cost has been for some so that we can live the way we do today.

Let's try and keep this going until May 30. And when you see someone in uniform, anytime, be sure to let them know they are appreciated.

Thanks All.

 

[Indiana George]

Salute

Tomb Of The Unknowns

 

[monet61]

As I suspect a lot of others feel, every day is Memorial /Veterans Day at our house. God bless all
of 'em.

 

[kraigwy]

My Granddaughter did something I haven't been able to do, she also got some etchings of my friends.

 

[seagill]

As I suspect a lot of others feel, every day is Memorial /Veterans Day at our house. God bless all
of 'em.

Well said, all I can add to that is AMEN!

 

[coldmold]

I will be in the honer guard this memorial day as I have for the past 20 or so years.

 

[seagill]

a very deserved BUMP!

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Here here!

Sadly, to so many people, Memorial Day is just a 3-day weekend for camping and cookouts. That needs to stop! God only knows where we would be as a nation if not for the sacrifices of our Veterans and those currently serving. Heartfelt thanks to them all!!

 

[galena]

I was stationed in DC in the mid 1970s, pre-VN Wall. I visited Arlington every chance I got and stood in awe at the Tomb of the Unknown. My VFW post places flags on the graves of veterans in our local cemetaries, I will spend the Friday before Memorial Day doing so. The attached photo is my Son (Major, USAR) in a quiet moment at the VN Wall shortly after his return from his second tour in Afganistan in Sep 2010. Freedom is not free. Keep shootin'

 

[rangemaster]

Rest Peacefully, LCPL Michael J. Smith Jr. You are gone, but not forgotten.

Marine Lance Cpl. Michael J. Smith Jr. - Honor The Fallen - Honoring those who fought and died in Iraq and Afghanistan - MilitaryTimes.com

 

[galena]

Bump to top.

 

[Switch Hunter]

Back to the top. Thanking all veterans for our freedom.

 

[curtmini14]

for all my friends over in the sandbox keep your head down and be safe god speed.

 

[CH47gunner]

On September 16, 1970, at the age of 19, JAMES ROBERT BODISH perished in the service of our country in South Vietnam, Tay Ninh.

Via con Dios Jim,

Bruce

 

[PALADIN85020]

In memory of my high school pal Ed Cribb. As long as I live, he will not be forgotten. God bless all who gave the United States everything they had.

John

 

[nostraDONus]

I was a youngster at the time of the Vietnam War but I'll never forget being with my mom visiting the mother of one of my sisters schoolmates who didn't return. I waited in his room while they talked. I didn't understand at the time why I was asked to be quiet and respectful while they visited. I later learned and remain thankful to this day for what he gave up for our country.

 

[27145]

God Bless the troops and their families who serve with them, sometimes maybe suffering as much if not more.

 

[Kenna]

Thanks to all who have served this great country.Their actions,sacrifices sometimes go unnoitced.God Bless America.
27145 thanks my kids in the Marines.

 

[BruceHMX]

This weekend my son's scout pack will be placing flags and candle bags out at the Fredericksburg Confederate Cemetery for the Saturday night luminary. If any of you are close to Fredericksburg, VA it's a very nice and respectful service held every year. Please come out.

Sunday I am taking him to Point Lookout Maryland. That's where his Great Great Great Grandfather was a Confederate POW during the War Between The States. I saw it this weekend and it was very moving. He did survive only to take the oath to the Union and perish out west Indian fighting.

We will eat some good food and camp out under the stars Saturday night.

Monday we will probably get some range time in. But the weekend will be spent honoring those who served and continue to do so.

 

[photocosmo]

OK! I'm bumpin' this thread back to the top and I hope it stays there because this is the weekend that we remember and honor all of those selfless, brave and righteous brothers and sisters who died in glory so that we could live in freedom. We know that they rest in peace but our work is far from done. Let's put aside our differences for this weekend and be thankfull that this country endures as a model for the rest of world.

thanx,
'coz

 

[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.