Posted on 05/30/2005 2:35:37 PM PDT by snugs
Today is Memorial Day President Bush commemorated this solemn event by taking part in the ceremonies at Arlington Cemetery along with the Secretary of Denfense Donald Rumsfeld.
For further details of this event and Arlington Cemetery in general visit http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/
Yesterday 29th May 2005, Secretary of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld addressed a Memorial Day Rolling Thunder veterans rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, May 29, 2005. Earlier in the day, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Richard Myers had led thousands of the Rolling Thunder motorcycle riders into Washington for their 18th annual 'Ride for Freedom' and rally for veterans
The history of Memorial Day
Each year, on the last Monday in May, the USA celebrates Memorial Day. For many, this day carries no special meaning except perhaps an extra day off from work, a beach barbecue, the start of the summer travel season, or for merchants, the opportunity to hold their annual Memorial Day Weekend sale.
In reality, the holiday is observed in honor of the nation's armed service personnel who were killed in wartime (in the UK this is the 11th November – Remembrance Day at which on the 11th hour of the 11th month we have a minutes silence all over the Britain).
The custom of honoring the graves of the war dead began prior to the end of the Civil War, but the national Memorial Day holiday (or "Decoration Day," as it was originally named) was first observed on May 30, 1868, on the order of General John Alexander Logan for the purpose of decorating the graves of the American Civil War dead. With the passage of time, Memorial Day was extended to honor all those who died in service, from the Revolutionary War to the present. It continued to be observed on May 30th until 1971, when most states changed to a newly established federal schedule of holiday observance.
Confederate Memorial Day, once a legal holiday in many southern states, is still observed on the fourth Monday in April in Alabama, and the last Monday in April in Mississippi and Georgia. A National Moment of Remembrance
May of 1997 saw the start of what is becoming an American tradition recognized by the President and Members of Congress -- to put the "memorial" back in Memorial Day. The idea of a National Moment of Remembrance was born a year earlier when children touring Lafayette Park in Washington, DC were asked what Memorial Day meant and they responded, "That's the day the pools open!"
The "Moment" was initiated by No Greater Love, a Washington, DC-based national humanitarian organization. For the first time in U.S. history, on Memorial Day 1997 "Taps" was played at 3 p.m. in many locations and at events throughout America. This effort was repeated again in subsequent years.
The objective of the "Moment" is to raise Americans' awareness of the honorable contributions made by those who died while defending our nation and to encourage all Americans to honor those who died as a result of service to this nation by pausing for one minute at 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day.
This History of Taps
http://www.west-point.org/taps/Taps.html
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island which today a tribute to Memorial Day
Thank you all
I just finished watching a CSPAN program from Walter Reed, where a Mexican-born Regular Army Sgt who lost both legs very high and had suffered a serious chest wound gave a spellbinding interview to a simpering journalist.
When she asked him if any stars had come to visit the hospital, his face lit up and he said "I've met President Bush, and the Forcecon (sp?) and General Swan and the vice-president's wife and" I bet she was thinking Hollywood.
Then she asked him if he blamed anyone for his wounds, and his answer was again a positive message - how he had volunteered for the mission, etc.
I had not realised it was him yes he was so gracious to Nancy Reagan
Thanks to you and snugs for you love of our country. It always makes me happy when people in other countries support our ideals of freedom - sometimes I think you understand it better than some who have lived here all their lives (and take it for granted). You've given us some beautiful pictures.
Thank you so much for this wonderful selection of pictures! That you would do this for people of another country speaks volumes about your character! God bless you, snugs.
Thank you for your kind words Miss Marple
Sad duty this weekend to place a flag in front of Dad's grave. He so loved the Navy, and watching displays of military respect on days like this.
I went to Mass this morning and the Recessional was the Navy Hymn. I had to sit in the pew for a while, so others would not see my tears.
Hey Guys. Hope everyone had a great weekend. I went to Ohio to vist my dad's family. Our old church had their annual fair/carnival so my 3 yr old cousin had her daddy and I on all the rides she was big enough to go on !!
I better be going. Talk to you guys tomorrow.
Kelly
always remember.
lol- we use that one here too!
Good to hear from you Kelly glad you had a good time.
Indeed least we forget
Oh my...what a wonderful tribute tonight...are you sure you're not an American?....LOL........btw....Operation Homecoming is on TLC at 8pmcentral.....may require a few tissues..
Thank you for your kind words it means a lot thank you
For the record, a copy and paste as of 30 seconds ago:
05:20 PM EDT
2:42 (est.) Interview
Soldiers Wounded in Iraq
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
James K. Gilman , Walter Reed Health Care System
Michael Oreskovic , U.S. Army
08:57 PM EDT
1:12 (est.) Ceremony
Women in Military Service Memorial Ceremony
Women in Military Service Mem. Found.
Wilma L. Vaught , Women in Military Service Mem. Found.
Annette Polan , Faces of the Fallen
The ceremony at Arlington is actually on right now, but it is just down the memory hole of this schedule. I did not skip anything when I copied the two shows above.
This happens so frequently, that I have to think that whoever posts the schedule must be a Deaniac or worse.
Yeah I saw bikers that he took photos with on Fox news here in the US that cool
Rummy hang out with bikers CLASSIC LOL!
~ Gogranny ..... grandson Jarrett, deployed
~ Inspectorette ..... son Eric
~ LBGA ..... son is deployed
~ Slip18 ..... nephew is aboard ship - active duty USN
~ mrs tiggywinkle ….. nephew Michael is in the Navy
~ milagro ….. son is deployed in the Mid-East
~ from hoosiermama …
…..… Shanty & Josh (husband & wife just deployed separately)
…..… Bill and Bill (both military academy grads)
…..(when you teach, they're all your kids)
~ WomanofStandard ….. a dear friend's sons, Troy (Air Force) in Italy and Tyler (Army) at Ft. Bragg, NC
~ Warriormom ….. CIA agents whose plane crashed and may have been kidnapped in Colombia
~ Freeper Per-Ling ….. active duty in the Navy ….. has a wife and 2-year-old
~ leenie312 ….. son Nicholas is in the Marines
~ rintense .…. friend's brother, Brian Z.
…..… friend, Matt (who is a Freeper), deployed to the Mid-East
~ AF_Blue ….. active-duty AF
~ JulieRNR21 ….. a friend's grandson, Wesley in the USAF
~ bigeasy ….. friend’s husband is deployed ….. he asks for prayer for justice, wisdom, swift return home
~ fc2tomschermuly (Navy) … he is a FReeper, as is his sister (mjaneangels@aolcom) and their father is a lurker
~ EuroFrog ….. husband, SSG Mike, deployed to Kuwait
….. SSG Kris, friend of SSG Mike in Kuwait
~ whoever ….. son Adam, on a Navy ship in a “hot zone” … he’s a single father (a widower) with a 10 y/o daughter
~ annyokie ….. son, Ian (Navy)
~ IncPen ….. Sarah (who was IncPen’s maid of honor at her wedding), Air Force flight nurse, just landed in Kuwait
….. friend’s son Matt is in Kuwait
….. brother in law Paul is awaiting deployment
~ TruthNtegrity ….. cousin's son, Andy, is a Midshipman at the US Navy Academy, studying Astronautical Physics; wants to be a pilot
~ RoseofTexas ….. the son of a friend, Leo, an MP in Kuwait
~ goodnesswins ….. neighbor’s husband, Bruce, flying C-17's from Germany to Iraq
~ azGOPgal’s friend’s friend, Jeremy who is in the 10th Mountain Division
~ FresnoArmyBrat ….. a cousin
~ Jim Robinson ….. two nephews
~ Marysecretary ….. grand-nephew, Paul, who is in Iraq
~ tinacart ….. best friend's son, Cody - 4th Infantry
~ DallasDeb ….. niece in Army, posted to Kuwait, may be repairing comm equipment in Iraq
~ hoosiermama ….. Callie, in Iraq; Dawn's brother ??? and George in a tank somewhere
….. … one of our teachers Dan, working stateside to help "process" military and supplies
~ bigghurtt ….. 5 years in the Army, soon-to-be Special Forces
~ JulieRNR21 ..... friend Betty's grandson, Matt, in US Army
~ Scott Speicher from Desert Storm
~ McLynnan ….. Seth, closest friend’s son-in-law, deploying to Iraq
~ PhiKapMom’s daughter, Jennifer, U. S. Navy
~ Cate ….. son David, in Iraq since June with the 4th ID
~ ladyinred ….. Josh, newly deployed to Iraq
….. Also, Josh's sister Pamela
….. their mother now has 2 children over there and one who has just returned home
~ JulieRNR21 ….. J.C., now serving in US Army in Iraq
~ ntnychik ….. the members of the 10th Mountain Division (which will be in Iraq for the long haul) and their families
~ Pan_Yan & Pan_Yans Wife ….. friend, Mike, stateside now but expects to go back to Iraq in late winter
~ MS.BEHAVIN ….. friend's son-in-law, Scott, has been deployed to Iraq
~ hoosier_RW_conspirator ….. son Jake
~ Happy2BMe ….. son Aaron has just left for a year in Iraq
~ Jaguar Girl ….. nephew Jimmy is serving in the Air Force
~ hoosierpearl ….. friend Robert, deployed to Afghanistan in March. He has three small children and a wife at home and has a particularly dangerous job
~ Lunatic Fringe ….. brother deployed with the 2/7 Cavalry
~ Lunatic Fringe ….. best friend from high school, deployed with the 1/7 Field Artillery
~ ODC-GIRL ... part of her unit is in Iraq
~ Jaguar Girl ….. her cousin, Peter (Marines), has just been deployed to Iraq
~ Keith Matthew Maupin, the soldier who has been taken hostage. Prayers for his well-being and for his safe release and for strength and courage for his family.
~ alaska-sgt ….. asks for prayers for himself, his brother, and his brother-in-law, all members of the US Air Force
~ Kewlhand Tek, a FReeper, is currently serving in Iraq
~ bethelgrad, a FReeper, who is leaving for Rhode Island to train this summer as a Navy Chaplain. He especially asks for prayers for his wife and 2 young sons while he is gone.
~ notpoliticallycorewrecked ….. CD (Marines) has returned to (light) active duty while his wounds continue to heal. Prayers for his continued recuperation!
~ St.Mark ….. nephew, somewhere between Syria and Fallujha (Marines); and son, in Twentynine Palms CA in training (Marines)
~ savagesusie ….. son Cory is in Afghanistan
~ redhead ….. granddaughter & husband (Stephanie and Josh) serving in Iraq
~ stand 4 something ….. son Cade has joined the Air Guard and is in training.
~ Freeper firstiamaussoldier classified assignment, stateside
….. ….. Sister-in-law, Deanna, USAF active duty HAFB
….. ….. Ex-husband, Benton, 161st Air refueling FT ANG Sky Harbor … (All second to fourth generation military.)
~ Texagirl4W ….. nephew, Jesse (Navy)
~ Militiaman7 ..... son, Jonathan, who is a FReeper, is in Afghanistan with the Virginia Army National Guard.
~ jonsie ….. son Ryan has been in Iraq as a medic with 1st Cav since Sept. 2003, he is now guarding the green zone
~ elder5 ….. brother-in-law W0-2 Brian F., Army Reserve Chopper pilot, on his 2nd tour in Iraq
~ firstiamaussoldier ….. son has been sworn in as a Marine Reserve in the delayed entry program as he finishes up high school
~ Don'tMessWithTexas ….. 2 brothers-in-law in the service
….. … a Lt.Cmdr in US Navy deployed in Guam
….. … a Major in US Army deployed in the Sunni Triangle outside Baghdad.
~ notpoliticallycorewrecked ….. scoutmaster of our BSA troop, Rick (Army National Guard). His unit will be leaving for training in Sept. and shipping over to Iraq before the end of the year though he will not be going with them.
~ reformed_dem ….. Luke (Marine), the son of a good friend, who is shipping out to Iraq in early Sept.
~ Texas Princess ….. nephew Roland, (Air Force), currently stationed in Korea
~ Himyar ..... son, Robert, is deployed to the Mideast
~ W04Man ….. Jared, the son of a high school friend, is in Iraq with the Louisiana National Guard
~ an anonymous FReeper ….. son, Stephen (Army), in Baghdad
~ spotbust1 ….. husband CW2 Frank (LAARNG), serving in Iraq
~ LUV W ….. son David is a Captain in the Air Force, stationed right now in Florida.
~ CyberAnt ….. nephew Jody (USMC) … is home from Japan but will be redeployed elsewhere in January.
~ Kentucky ….. has a request for prayer from a Marine Mom whose son, Ramsey, is in Iraq
~ W04Man ….. wife’s niece's son, Brooks, is in Iraq
~ Trust but Verify ….. friend’s husband, Donald, infantry scout with the 1st ID
~ snowtigger ….. Peter, 1/24 INF (he drives a Stryker armored vehicle) ….. just shipped out to Mosul
~ marylina ….. friend’s son, Brandon (Navy) – stationed on a destroyer that will be deployed to the MidEast in December
~ Reagan79 ….. brother, Chris, a Marine Reservist from MS, will be leaving Jan 5th for Iraq
~ homemom ….. Kelsey, a young lady now serving in Iraq
~ Sea2ShiningSea ….. cousin’s son, James, is in Iraq
….. … Chad, her “adopted” soldier
~ TruthNtegrity ….. friend from church heading to Iraq for 3 months as a Civilian Analyst. In addition to praying for her safety, please pray for her husband, a retired Navy pilot who is very jittery about his wife going into harm's way.
~ mamaduck ….. cousin, Carl, is a Sargeant Major stationed in FL right now and will deployed to Iraq after the new year
~ Pippin ….. niece’s husband, Sung, (Air Force and brand new American citizen) is deployed to S. Korea
…..niece, Melissa, is in the AirForce, currently stationed in GA
~ Blue Scourge ….. a Freeper (Air Force), leaving for basic training
~ Collier ….. friend, Jim, father of 3 girls....Iowa National Guard, currently in Afghanistan
~ repubmom ….. son Brian has enlisted as a Special Forces recruit - he leaves for Basic right after Christmas
~ GOP-Pat ….. cousin's husband Tommy, retired from sheriff's department in July to volunteer to go to Iraq to train the Iraqi troops.
~ SE Mom ….. son Tommy, 101st AB, home now in Florida undergoing chemotherapy
~ Severa ….. husband, Jason (FR screen name Hostel), USN P-3 Aircraft Mechanic
….. ….. brother Wes, USAF First Lieutenant
….. ….. Jason's cousin David, 101st Airborne
~ BonnieJ ….. cousin Doug (Army) has returned from an extended tour in Iraq and a minor injury and is now scheduled to go to Afghanistan early in the new year.
~ FReeper MikeinIraq
~ OldSarge ….. a FReeper, Kentucky National Guard, leaving for Iraq in July (18 month deployment) after several months training in MS
~ reformed_dem ….. brother Drew has shipped out for Kuwait on his way to a year in Iraq
~ Ladysmith ….. brother's fiance's son, Shane, is stationed in Germany and will eventually head to Iraq
~ ntnychik ….. friend's son, Erik, an Army Ranger, who just got back from Iraq, re-upped, and is going back
~ gatorbait ….. brother-in-law (Army) and nephew (Marine) in the mid-East and a nephew-in-law who has returned home safely.
~ nelibeli ….. nephew Tres (Army), is serving his 2nd deployment to Iraq (he volunteered to go back!)
~ Pippin ….. niece in the Air Force …. nephew in the Army and his daughter, Jazmine … back in the states now.
~ Pippin ….. nephew's wife is back home from the Far East. (USArmy)
~ pGfwabf ….. son Mark (Marines) has been assigned state-side duty after graduating from boot camp.
~ Prophet in the wilderness ….. nephew (Marines) is in Iraq. He participated in the battle of Fallujah last Nov.
~ It's_me_K.E.T. ….. son, Brian (U.S. Army), deployed March 6 to Iraq for 13 months.
~ FreedomHasACost ….. brother Ted (Marines) is in the Middle East
* ~ hoosierkitties ….. brother Philip is leaving for bootcamp on April 12th
* ~ arbee4bush ….. daughter Kristen (Freeper KB4W) training for loadmaster C-17 US Air Force.
* ~ hoosier_RW_conspirator ….. son, Jake (Army) deployed to Afghanistan
…..*….. friend's son, Danny (Army) awaiting deployment for 2nd tour in Iraq
* ~ Jewels1091 ….. friend of daughter, Chris (Navy), has fulfilled his contract and left the service
* ~ Jewels1091 ….. Nick (friend of youngest daughter) is now home after 13 months in Iraq
* ~ DebWisconsin ….. nephew is leaving for basic training on Sunday
* ~ jch10 ….. son, Maury, US Army, who is in Qatar, soon to be in South Korea before returning home
* ~ BonnieJ ….. cousin Josh will be with the Green Berets in Afghanistan when he finishes his training soon
* ~ GVgirl ….. son Nathan, active duty, California National Guard
* ~ Kate of Spice Island ….. ex-husband leaving for convoy training and then a tour to the Middle East
* ~ patriciaruth …..
….. * In Mosul – James, Victor, Kevin, Ron, Mac, Malik, and Sean
….. * In Kirkuk - Antonio
….. * Somewhere in Iraq - Michael, Eric, Jon
….. * In Baghdad – Keith
….. * In Bagram, Afghanistan - Mark
….. * Somewhere in Afghanistan - Jerry, Dennis, Mark
* ~ herewego ….. brother-in-law Robert has just left for Iraq
* denotes change to the list (an addition or sometimes, thankfully, someone who has come home safely)
""From: Mrs. Riles (Wed Mar 9 23:09:32 2005) You are all Great Soldiers and all of our Hero's here in the USA Keep up the hard work you are doing over there. Thank you all for taking care of us over here and also giving these people hope. Mrs. Riles
From: Wishes to be a bad ass (Tue Apr 26 19:16:17 2005) Respect and honor you've already earned, all thats left is victory in the form a truely free Iraq.""
What is with these 'journalists'? You have to wonder if any of them have a miltary person in their family or amongst their friends at all. They have no idea why these people serve.
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