Posted on 05/30/2005 1:50:30 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Washington Times - Bill Garner
God bless the heroes. We've had many kia's here in Iraq, but let's not forget those who are losing legs,arms and hands also.We came upon the scene of a suicide car bombing once and there was not much left of the soldier but his head and his feet,his helmet had melted in to his head. Soldiers dont die like they do in the movies. He died in Americia's name.....
And we must remember them.
Remember them every day.
Freedom watered/refreshed with the blood of patriots. Can't possibly express enough gratitude and pride, ever.
Ray Charles sings "America The Beautiful" ~~~~ Turn it up real loud!~~~
Amen
I sincerely thank all of those brave souls that have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
I am proud to be an American.
God bless America.
I love our vets! No finer people ever walked the earth than those willing to make the sacrifice of keeping us free.
Thank you all!
God bless them all, past and present.
Sorry.
How are things in the Green Zone?
WOW, that'll get the blood pumping. Thanks.
I would like to say thank you for the people who fought in the past, who are fighitng right now, and for the people who will be fighting in future wars yet to come (I hope not), for keeping this nation free.
Thank you.
May God bless you and hold you in His arms.
More than 400 Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts gathered at the Houston National Cemetery on Sunday afternoon to place American flags on the curving roadways beside the graves of 58,000 veterans.
Nine-year-old Timmy Tran, a member of Pack 1331 in Klein, said Memorial Day is celebrated "to honor people who fight in the wars and to remember them." Timmy's father and grandfather are both veterans of the war in Vietnam, which he said "is in Asia, kind of near Thailand."
Aaron Sellers, 9, another member of Pack 1331, said: "We are trying to represent the soldiers who died in wars. Wars are bloody, and they are violent."
But, Aaron said, "The soldiers do it to protect our country."
The fourth-grader said the meaning of Memorial Day had been explained to him by "ancestors" who are veterans — "Grandpa" and "Uncle Cory."
Aaron's 7-year-old brother, Jacob, said their uncle is in the Marines, "but he lives in Oklahoma." (Their mother, Leslie, said Cory is stationed there as a recruiter.)
Farther down the "Avenue of Flags," an older and wiser Brenham scout delivered a short speech on the importance of this national holiday.
Kenneth Thornton, 11, a member of Troop 577 from Brenham, was well-versed — and well-rehearsed — on the national holiday.
"By hanging up the flags, we are honoring and remembering all veterans, the ones who died in wars, as well as the ones who are still alive," Kenneth said. "Which is important because the veterans went out and fought for our freedom."
The young patriot, who may have a future in politics, added, "No further comment."
Linda Barry, a spokeswoman for Veterans Affairs, said, "We had a very good turnout" at the annual event when scouts prepare the cemetery for Memorial Day ceremonies.
More than 58,000 veterans have been buried in the 419-acre cemetery since it opened in 1965 at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive. Among those buried there are three Medal of Honor recipients and longtime U.S. Rep. Albert Thomas, a Houston Democrat who was instrumental in writing the legislation creating the cemetery.
The Brenham troop was making its third Memorial Day weekend trip to the cemetery. The troop was remembering all vets but especially the father of scouts Kevin, 13, and Kyle Dougan, 11.
Their dad, Army Chief Warrant Officer James Dougan, a Vietnam veteran, died two years ago of a heart attack at age 52 and is buried at the cemetery. Their mother, Chris, and their sister, Colleen, 10, joined the troop.
"See, my dad passed away, and we come here to honor him," Kevin Dougan said. "Memorial Day is meant to remember the people who fought in the wars and who did something for their country."
Kyle, 11, said he still misses his father "all the time."
"He was nice." [End]
Whats up with that?
A little noisier than usual over the last couple of days, but not as noisy as the last base I was on.
I hope you and your own hero are having a lovely Memorial weekend.
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