"We Can Be Heroes.....Just For One Day"-----MEMORIAL DAY 2005--Thread#1

5/22/05 | redrock--(some old guy in Utah)

[redrock]

Paul Edward Speaks........Michael Wayne Ramsey........Alejandro Diaz........John Raymond Jackson.......Frank March Jr.......Anthony Dwight Hatcher........Joseph Verbert Czajkowski........Thomas Carmine De Palma.

The names come at you like a spring run-off. 216 of them.

All of them with one crucial distinction that would separate them from the norm.

All of them died today....on the 22nd of May.

All of them died...doing what their Nation asked.

All of them died...wearing the uniform. Be it Army...Marines...Navy...Air Force.

All of them died...in the jungles of Southeast Asia.

Vietnam.

Cambodia.

All of them died....doing what they were asked....in a far off land...away from their families....putting their dreams on hold for their Nation.

All of them died.......

and were promtly forgotten.

************************************************************

In just 8 days.....Memorial Day will be here. A day set aside to Honour those who have fallen in defense of our Nation. Who have put on the uniform.....who have gone to the places asked...who have put their lives on the line. ...

...and who have forfeited those lives.

In 8 days we have a chance, and a greater responsibility, to REMEMBER the names and the lives of those died in the service of their Nation.

We have a chance this Memorial Day to stand up....and do our Duty. To just take one day and say "Thank You". To NOT forget....

*************************************************************

This MEMORIAL DAY.......we can be Heroes.

We can remember....we can give up our 3 day weekend (it isn't much compared to what they gave up)....and take the time to visit the graves and just remember.

It's all they would ask......

This MEMORIAL DAY......we can be Heroes.....just for one day.

redrock

[Mustng959]

Thanks for the ping, Tonk. Going to visit my Marine nephew's grave and maybe go to the VA hospital to thank our brothers.

[OneLoyalAmerican]

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Good Day Master Chief

Thank You for your service to our country.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[OneLoyalAmerican]

Top of the morning to you Guns.
And THANK YOU for your service to our Country.

Saturday I'll be doing my part, via Poppy, to educate the Alabama public.

[Smartass]

TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

"Almighty God, our gracious Father: in simple faith and
trust we seek Thy blessing. Help us fittingly to honor our
unknown soldiers who gave their all in laying sure
foundations of international commenweal.
Help us to keep
clear the obligation we have toward all worthy soldiers,
living and dead, that their sacrifices and their valor fade
not from our memory. Temper our sorrow, we pray Thee,
through the assurance, which came from
the sweetest lips that
ever uttered words, 'Blessed are they that mourn, for they
shall be comforted.' Be Thou our comforter.
"Facing the events on the morrow, when from the work
bench of the world there will be taken an unusual task, we
ask Thou wilt accord exceptional judgement,
foresight and
tactfulness of approach to those who seek to bring about a discord, which provokes war, may disappear that
there may be world tranquility.

"Hear us, O Lord, as now, in obedience to the call of
our President, there sounds throughout
the land the national
Angels calling to prayer, and we stand with
bowed heads and
reverent hearts in silent thanks for the valor and valorous
lives and in supplication for divine mercy
and blessing upon
our beloved country: And upon the
nations of the earth and to
Thee, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace, shall be ascribed
all glory and honor forever.   Amen."

[Eaker]

Heroes

[SandRat]

Big community plans. I'll try to get photos and post them. Ceremony at the AzVeterans Cemetery to honor the vets and VFW is doing a Flag Retirement there. A veteran Flag being with the veterans that defended her. Big Doings at City Park now Named Veteran's Park Army Band is playing.

[Soaring Feather]

bump


Thanks for the ping.

[amom]

Thanks for the reminder, redrock.

SALUTE to our heros one and all. Especially those who gave their all.

[Molly Pitcher]

redrock, it simply WOULDN'T BE Memorial Day without these threads of yours...

[Molly Pitcher]

How Memorial Day got started...

In 1865, Henry C. Welles, a druggist in the village of Waterloo, NY, mentioned at a social gathering that honor should be shown to the patriotic dead of the Civil War by decorating their graves. In the Spring of 1866, he again mentioned this subject to General John B. Murray, Seneca County Clerk. General Murray embraced the idea and a committee was formulated to plan a day devoted to honoring the dead. Townspeople adopted the idea wholeheartedly. Wreaths, crosses and bouquets were made for each veteran's grave.

The village was decorated with flags at half mast and draped with evergreen boughs and mourning black streamers. On May 5, 1866, civic societies joined the procession to the three existing cemeteries and were led by veterans marching to martial music. At each cemetery there were impressive and lengthy services including speeches by General Murray and a local clergyman. The ceremonies were repeated on May 5, 1867.

The first official recognition of Memorial Day as such was issued by General John A. Logan, first commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. This was General Order No. 11 establishing "Decoration Day" as it was then known. The date of the order was May 5, 1868, exactly two years after Waterloo's first observance. That year Waterloo joined other communities in the nation by having their ceremony on May 30.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks for the reminder, Redrock.

May our fallen heroes rest in God's harmony and in eternal peace.

The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass.

"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The Solider squared his shoulders and said
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just to steep,

And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

~ "Final Inspection" Author Unknown

[redrock]

"And all of us would go back and do it again if we were needed. My uniform may not fit anymore, and my old flightsuit might be a bit tight around the middle, but if my Country needs me, I'll do one more tour and always be ready to fly one more mission."

I'm with ya.

redrock

[redrock]

Thank You.

redrock

[redrock]

Yep....this year too.

MEMORIAL DAY

redrock

[GulfWar1Vet]

Air Show next weekend with Memorial Day Parade Monday morning, than Memorial Service at the Court House here in Columbia, MO.

Thanks Redrock

[radu]

The men and women who have served our country and serve now are heroes EVERY day. :-)

Those who have given all will never be forgotten.
There are too many of us who will make sure that will never happen.

[Texas Termite]

We give thanks to all who have served and are presently serving in all branches of the military for this great nation.

Our service men and women have been and are the "elite" of humanity. We are so very proud of all of you.

To the families who their loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice, we honor you. You too gave for all of us.


God bless America!!

"TT", Beth & Nana

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

AMEN