Memorial day

[usmc2427765]

As we start this special weekend, I ask that we remember the men and women who paid the ultimate price in service
To their country. This is not about politics or your support of any war but allows us to say thanks for your sacrifice of your life in service to your country.

I have known several Gold Star Mothers from Vietnam and they never had a good day after the notification. All of them have crossed the river and hopefully they have found the peace that passes all understanding.

I am losing about 2 or 3 a month and know my time is coming and I will spend the remainder of my life honoring their service. I am not a good writer however I believe you get the idea. Semper Fi

 

[Rudi]

A somber reminder of our freedom. May the Lord bless all that served.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I lost some good friends in Korea. Still miss them.

 

[holo]

No greater gift than a man giving his life for his country.

 

[Onomea]

Well said.

I send my grateful prayers to all who have died in defense of our country, and say we will never forget your sacrifice for us all.

 

[The Preacher]

Please remember and honor......

 

[jeffrefrig]

It kinda hurts but I'm the only house on my street that puts the US Flag up every day, weather permitting. There are about 25 houses on this dead end street (they call it a cul-de-sac because that's classy n'at) and some will put their little flags out on Memorial Day & a couple other US holidays, but that's it. No renters up here that I know of, all working or retired. I guess they can't be bothered. Their choice...

 

[bigwheelzip]

The following seems an appropriate post for Memorial Day. It was written at the end of his WWI Service, by Francis Doane, father of our late forum member Colin Doane, aka CYRANO.

Francis Doane was wounded while fighting with the 27th Division, 107th Infantry Regiment, which while assaulting the Hindenburg Line on September 29, 1918, suffered the worst casualties sustained in a single day by any U.S. regiment during WWI, 396 killed and 753 wounded out of 1,662 soldiers who began the battle.

Colin's father also served in the Army throughout WWII.


[This poem was printed in The Seventh Regiment Gazette, Vol. 35, No 12, September 1921]

We, Who Know

These years have not changed us,
We can not forget.
We, who saw you lining up
On the tape they set,
Parallel to that great line
While the “Very Lights,”
Showed the grim determination,
On each face that night.
We, who saw you going forward
In the great attack.
Watch your walking wounded
Slowly hobble back.
We know of your dauntless spirit.
Of your mighty charge.
Saw you taking trench on trench
When the great barrage,
Fell a thousand yards ahead.
Yet without it’s aid,
Carried the “Knoll” and “Guillemont Farm”
And only then were stayed;
by the heavy smoke-screen
Blotting out the front
For the coming “Anzacs”
Ready for their “stunt.”
We know how you lived and died.
Others may not care
And merely set aside one day
For reverence and prayer.
But for us – ‘Tis not enough
How can we betray
The promises we gave to you
On the field that day?
So we’re carrying on in peace
What we were in war,
And you’ll find us in the ranks
As we were before.
Francis H. Doane

 

[Davwingman]

For some reason this is one I remember each year.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpt6Bvr2L-s[/ame]

 

[Beemerguy53]

For some reason this is one I remember each year.

LOYCE DEEN TRIBUTE—TBF Avenger Gunner, Killed In Action, Burial At Sea, USS Essex (CV-9)—NOV 5, 1944 - YouTube

That's heartbreaking...and one of the most moving things I've ever seen. I am sitting here with tears in my eyes...thanks for sharing it with us...

 

[PALADIN85020]

Hardly a day goes by that I don't think of these two guys, buddies who gave their lives for our country in Vietnam in the early 1960s. May they and many others rest in peace with our enduring gratitude.

John


Ed Cribb


Chuck Walling

 

[Beemerguy53]

Living only an hour from downtown Washington has afforded me many opportunities over the years to pay my respects at Arlington National Cemetery, and at the various memorials in and around our Capital...

 

[Beemerguy53]

The World War II Memorial...

 

[Patrick L]

I have a tradition of going to the range with my ex GI surps; the 1903, the Garand, and the carbine and shooting them every Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Veterans Day. It makes it all more special to think of who might have used them in defense of my liberty years long past.

 

[Beemerguy53]

The Vietnam Memorial...

 

[Beemerguy53]

The American Military Cemetery and Memorial in Luxembourg...final resting place of about 5,100 of our countrymen, most of whom were killed in the Battle of the Bulge...

 

[PALADIN85020]

Reflecting at the Wall. One of the most touching photos I've ever taken. God bless them all.

John

 

[Beemerguy53]

The Ardennes American Cemetery and the Henri-Chappelle American Cemetery and Memorial are outside of Liège, Belgium, and are the final resting places for more than 13,000 Americans who gave their lives in World War II...

(Captain Clyde E. Price was a B-24 Liberator pilot who was shot down and killed over France in 1943. When we liberated that country, his body was disinterred and moved to Belgium for permanent burial. His nephew and namesake was the cancer surgeon who saved my life in 1991.)

 

[Old_Cop]

They saw their duty and gave their last full measure. A solemn day.

 

[ancient-one]

As we start this special weekend, I ask that we remember the men and women who paid the ultimate price in service
To their country. This is not about politics or your support of any war but allows us to say thanks for your sacrifice of your life in service to your country.

I have known several Gold Star Mothers from Vietnam and they never had a good day after the notification. All of them have crossed the river and hopefully they have found the peace that passes all understanding.

I am losing about 2 or 3 a month and know my time is coming and I will spend the remainder of my life honoring their service. I am not a good writer however I believe you get the idea. Semper Fi

The first two paragraphs sum it up. As for those of us who are WWII Vets, we are fast becoming extinct.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Memorial Day for me is best summed by Charles Johnson Post, a veteran of the Cuban Campaign of 1898. A rather small affair compared to the Civil War and the bloodlettings of the 20th Century, but as Post reminds us:
"Whether a man falls with 20,000 others in some grand battle or all by himself on a lonely outpost, he is a 100% casualty to himself. What more is there to give ?"

 

[Rudi]

Hard to put "likes" on these posts. But I must. There is no "love" button that could ever sum up what we owe these soldiers.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I have a great uncle who was killed while in uniform.

He is buried in a British and Canadian cemetery in Épron, France.

 

[Retired W4]

To those who were KIA and those who DAT (died after tour).

Hal, Airplane crash
Rick, DAT, Agent Orange related.
Pat, shot down Aug 1970.

Rest in peace my Brothers.

 

[lkabug]

A slow hand salute.
To my brother "Mac", I have not forgotten.
To my brothers that did not return as I did. I say I have not forgotten.
To my brothers that did return and can not heal. I understand and will not forget.

 

[Beemerguy53]

For some reason this is one I remember each year.

LOYCE DEEN TRIBUTE—TBF Avenger Gunner, Killed In Action, Burial At Sea, USS Essex (CV-9)—NOV 5, 1944 - YouTube

I found this link to the story of Loyce Deen's life and service...

loyceedeen