Amen
Sorry to read that.
Death in the Ia Drang Valley, by Pfc Jack P. Smith.
Thank you, Aloha Ronnie, and God bless you.
Enjoyed the pics.
-SoFo
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Subject: It Is The Veteran
It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag, who serves under the Flag,
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
I don't know if you saw this in the news but it really impressed me.
Funny, our US Senate/House took 2 days off as they couldn't work.
On the ABC evening news, it was reported tonight that, because of the dangers from Hurricane Isabelle approaching Washington DC, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment.
They refused. "No way, Sir!"
Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson.
The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
I don't usually suggest that many emails be forwarded, but I'd be proud if this one reached as many as possible.
We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.
God Bless them.
~An Open Letter From Vietnam Vets to our Fallen Brothers And Sisters From Vietnam~
We went to school with some of you, we knew you well. We held some of you as you died. We knew you well as patients or when you came home as POW's, and we were blessed to call you friends then too. So many of you we called friend and cried out in anguish when you gave the ultimate sacrifice for your country.
Years later as we walk the granite wall, we find your names. To this day, whether it's on the original wall, or on a replica, as fellow Vets, we cannot stop the emotions that overcome us. Unwelcome because each year we think we can control it, then we find we never seem to get a good "hold" on them. They taunt us and embarrass us and nearly bring us to our knee's with grief. Perhaps we'll never fully heal.
We miss you. We miss the lives you used to dream about with all of us and talk about with all of us. We loved you. We know how much you loved your Mom and Dad and brothers and sisters, and girlfriends. And your dreams. We had many hours to know each other. Which is why the welcome home cut like it did.
We swear this to you; This is OUR PLEDGE TO YOU (and has been for years, the Vietnam Vet pledge) "We will always honor you and every Veteran present and past and will actively work to assure you get the respect you deserve". Because of what happened to us we will never let another Vet stand alone, or be disrespected. Not for doing the right thing. Serving his country!
Because your sacrifice was SO GREAT, we will always HONOR our Vets the way YOU should have been honored!
We also promise this, you will be NOW. Every year...Always!!
Farewell and thank you beloved friends, our Hero's! Until we meet again.
Every Generation passes the Baton to the next. Our troops truly are the best. They are the essence of what makes us safe, strong and the BEST. We thank God everyday for being blessed with the best and the brightest.
God Bless Our Military and our Veterans!
Very sorry to hear this.