The FReeper Foxhole - Memorial Day - Today We Remember Those Who Gave All - May 31st, 2004

[snippy_about_it]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.


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U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

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The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer.

If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions.

We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.

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A Brief History of Memorial Day



On this day, we pay tribute to those whose lives were sacrificed for our freedom.

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our country. It began during the Civil War when organized women's groups in several towns throughout the South decorated the graves of the Confederate war dead with flowers, wreaths and flags. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5th, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on May 30, 1868.



Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery each year with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Traditionally, the President or Vice President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The occasion is also marked in almost every State on the last Monday in May. Several southern states, however, have an additional, separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

Here is General Logan's official order:

General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868 The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If our eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from his honor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.

By order of
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief
N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General
Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.

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FReeper Foxhole Armed Services Links

[snippy_about_it]

.......

NEVER FORGET
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE



Since the founding of this country, more than one million Americans have paid for our freedom with their lives.
What type of American is willing to give all if Providence so chooses?
A Reminder of those extraordinary Americans...



































These photos are a reminder of those who have gone into harms way to fight for freedom in our brief history.
Americans. All gave some, some gave all.
Today we remember those that gave all.

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TO THESE WE OWE THE HIGH RESOLVE THAT THE CAUSE FOR WHICH THEY DIED SHALL LIVE.

AMAZING GRACE

RM..........MP3


Taps with 30 second drum roll


"Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh -- Falls the night.

"Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky.
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

"Then good night, peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear -- Friend, good night."


Taps is the most beautiful bugle call. Played slowly and softly, it has a smooth, tender, and
touching character. The bugle call was written during the Peninsula Campaign of the Civil War
by General Daniel Butterfield, with an assist from his bugler, Oliver W. Norton, in 1862.


On this day - Army Band

The bugle has sounded, its notes drift away, this time now belongs to you.

On this day for one brief moment, hear the silence fill the air
Think of those who walked beside us, now no longer there,

Then don’t cry but hear their laughter, for their spirit lives inside
Let that mystic stream of mem’ry fill our hearts with pride!

Make us humble, make us knowing, and accepting what is done
On this day for now, forever, make this nation one!
On this day for all the fallen, make this nation one!


The Old Guard Escorts A Soldier To His Final Resting Place, Arlington National Cemetery

"They say, we leave you our deaths. Give them their meaning. Give them an end to the war and a true peace. Give them a victory that ends the war and peace afterwards. Give them their meaning. We were young, they say. We have died. Remember us."
—Archibald MacLeish

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MOMENT OF SILENCE

Along with other Americans, you are asked to spend a Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time (duration: one minute).
The time 3:00 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when many Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday.

The Moment does not replace the traditional Memorial Day observances. It is intended to a be a unifying act of remembrance for Americans of all ages. As you participate in the Moment you are helping reclaim Memorial Day for the noble and sacred reason for which it was intended—to honor those who died in service to our Nation.

During that brief time, except for a bugler sounding "Taps," Americans of every nationality are being urged to take a moment to reflect on the blessings of this country.

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Remember their sacrifice.
Honor this Freedom that has cost so many so much and continues today.

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[snippy_about_it]

FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!



Good Monday Morning Everyone.


If you would like to be added to our ping list, let us know.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Snippy, excellent job on today's thread.

[SAMWolf]

Dear Unknown Soldier

I am writing this letter to you, dear soldier, to ask for your forgiveness.

As we each take a moment of silence on Memorial Day we will remember the millions of brave and gallant soldiers who fought for our freedom and we will thank them for their courage and their sacrifice.

We will attempt to imagine what their sacrifice must have been like -- the days in the trenches, the constant ring of gunshots, the blast of bombs and buzz of fighter planes. We will consider life on the frontline caked in mud and blood, watching soldiers fall around us. We will try to comprehend the death and destruction in a constant ring of hell. We attempt to imagine the barbaric realities of war, the starving prisoners, the homeless, parentless children, the wounded and dying young men and women. And we will try to understand the pain of knowing we may never see our children or our families again.

You, Unknown Soldier, can help me to understand for your sacrifice was a huge one.

Your bravery and courage has gone without its medal and without a grave to bear its cross. You selflessly gave your namesake to preserve a way of life and now you stand valiantly amongst the poppies as a statue of honor, courage and of freedom.

We will never fully understand your suffering, your heartache and will never even know your identity. You could have been a father, a brother, a son, a grandfather, a nephew -- you could have even been me.

But, dear soldier, I write to tell you that you do have an identity and perhaps one of the most honorable. You represent each and every soldier gone before and those who came after. You represent freedom and peace for me and my neighbors. You represent a life of honor, courage and bravery.

And so, as I pause in two minutes of silent tribute I will no longer call you Unknown Soldier, for you have a name -- thousands of them. You are using each one of ours.

Lest we forget. . .Renowned Soldier.

Cindy Ballance

[snippy_about_it]

.........


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The World War I Somme American Cemetery - France
This fourteen acre cemetery, sited on a gentle slope typical of the open, rolling Picardy countryside contains the graves of 1,844 American military Dead. Most lost their lives while serving in American units attached to British Armies or in the operations near Cantigny during World War I. More

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The World War I Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery - France
Meuse-Argonne, covering one hundred and thirty acres, holds the largest number of American Dead in Europe, a total of 14,246. Most of those buried here gave their lives during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I. More

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The World War II Cambridge American Cemetery - England
There are 3,812 American military Dead buried there. On the wall running from the entrance to the chapel are inscribed the names of 5,126 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country, but whose remains were never recovered or identified. More

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The World War II Epinal American Cemetery - France
This cemetery contains the graves of 5,255 American military Dead. On the walls of the Court of Honor, which surround the memorial, are inscribed the names of 424 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country and who rest in unknown graves. More

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The World War II Ardennes American Cemetery - Belgium
The cemetery, ninety acres in extent, contains the graves of 5,328 American military Dead, many of whom died in the so-called "Battle of the Bulge." More

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The World War II Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery - Belgium
At this cemetery, covering fifty seven acres, rests 7,989 American military Dead, most of whom gave their lives during the advance of the American Armed Forces into Germany during World War II. More

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The World War II Netherlands American Cemetery
Beyond the chapel and tower is the burial area which is divided into sixteen plots. Here rest 8,301 American Dead, most of whom lost their lives nearby. The walls on either side of the Court of Honor contain the Tablets of the Missing on which are recorded the names of 1,723 American Missing who gave their lives in the service of their country and who rest in unknown graves. More

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Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
Interred within them are the remains of 9,386 servicemen and women. Three hundred and seven of which are Unknowns (those which could not be identified), three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, and four women. Also buried here, side by side, are father and son, and 33 pairs of brothers. Each grave is marked with a white marble headstone, a Star of David for those of the Jewish faith, a Latin cross for all others. The aligned headstones against the immaculately maintained emerald green lawn convey an unforgettable feeling of peace and serenity. The servicemen and women interred in the cemetery came from all fifty States and the District of Columbia. A small number also came from England, Scotland and Canada. More - (Extremely informative downloads available also)

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The World War II North Africa American Cemetery - Tunisia
At this cemetery, twenty-seven acres in extent, rest 2,841 American military Dead. Along the southeast edge of the burial area is a long Wall of the Missing with its sculptured figures and bordering tree lined terrace leading to the memorial. On this wall are engraved the names of 3,724 American Missing who gave their lives in the service of their country in military activities ranging from North Africa to the Persian Gulf during World War II. More

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The Korean War Veterans Memorial
The Korean War Veterans Memorial is located near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. It was dedicated on July 27, 1995. The Memorial commerates the sacrifices of the 5.8 million American who served in the U.S. Armed Services during the three-year period of the Korean War. The war was one of the most hard fought in our history.

During its relatively short duration from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953, 54,246 Americans died in support of their country. Of these, 8,200 are listed as missing in action or lost or buried at sea.

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In addition 103,284 were wounded during the conflict. As an integral part of the Memorial, the Korean War Honor Roll was established, honoring those U.S. military personnel who died world-wide during the war. More (This monument link has several pages dedicated to it, I encourage you to visit all of them)

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The Vietnam Veterans Memorial


"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind."

Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam
Listed as KIA February 7, 1978

THE VIETNAM WOMEN'S MEMORIAL

Night time view of The Wall

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ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

OUR NATION'S MOST SACRED SHRINE

PLEASE REMEMBER THESE ARE HALLOWED GROUNDS

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

HERE RESTS IN
HONORED GLORY
AN AMERICAN
SOLDIER
KNOWN BUT TO GOD

"Scenes from Above" - Arlington National Cemetery

Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery Armed Service Funerals

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This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. (JOHN 15:12-13)

Those who have died for their country will never be forgotten.

Their sacrifice will live on forever in the hearts of all who cherish freedom.

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[snippy_about_it]

You are using each one of ours.

Beautiful letter Sam. Thanks for posting it. Now it's time for some sleep. See you tomorrow.

[SAMWolf]

Good Night Snippy.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Snippy.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Freeper Foxhole.

In honor of our veterans.
Thank you for your service to our country.
We will never forget.

[GailA]

Good Morning a few carbs to start the day

[Valin]

On This Day In History


Birthdates which occurred on May 31:
1469 Manuel I king of Portugal (1495-1521) during era of exploration
1557 Theodorus I (Fedor Ivanovitsj) czar of Russia (1584-98)
1701 Alexander Cruden compiler of a concordance to King James Bible
1810 Horatio Seymour Governor (Union), died in 1886
1818 John Albion Andrew Governor (Union), died in 1867
1819 Walt Whitman West Hills NY, poet (Leaves of Grass)
1837 Stephen Dodson Ramseur Major General (Confederate Army), died in 1864
1837 William Henry Fitzhugh "Rooney" Lee Major General (Confederate Army)
1857 Pius XI [Ambrogio DA Ratti] Italy, 259th Roman Catholic Pope (1922-39)
1861 Emily Perkins Bissell welfare worker (1st christmas seal drive, 1907)
1872 Charles G Abbot US, astronomer (Constant Sun)
1872 William Heath Robinson England, illustrator/cartoonist (Don Quixote)
1892 Gregor Strasser German pharmacist/NSDAP-Reich organization leader
1894 Fred Allen Cambridge MA, comedian (Fred Allen Radio Show)
1898 Norman Vincent Peale Ohio, clergyman (Power of Positive Thinking)
1908 Don Ameche Kenosha WI, actor (Cocoon, Trading Places)
1912 Henry M "Scoop" Jackson (Senator-D-WA)
1920 Edward Bennett Williams lawyer/team owner (Redskins, Baltimore Orioles)
1921 Robert Arthur Ley UK, sci-fi author (Telepath, Power of X)
1922 Denholm Elliott London England, actor (Alfie, Cuba, Doll's House, King Rat)
1930 Clint Eastwood San Fransisco CA, actor (Dirty Harry)/mayor (Carmel CA)
1931 John Schrieffer US physicist (Nobel 1972)
1934 Jim Hutton Binghamton NY, actor (Ellery Queen)
1937 Vladislav Ivanovich Gulyayev Russia, cosmonaut
1938 Peter Yarrow New York NY, (Peter, Paul & Mary-Puff the Magic Dragon)
1939 Terry Waite Anglican Church envoy/Lebanese hostage
1941 Johnny Paycheck Greenfield OH, singer (Take This Job & Shove It)
1943 Joe Namath Beaver Falls PA, NFL QB (New York Jets), the $400,000 man (1969 Superbowl)
1943 Sharon Gless Los Angeles CA, actress (Chris Cagney-Cagney & Lacey)
1944 Mick Ralphs guitarist (Mott the Hoople, Bad Company)
1946 Rainer Werner Fassbinder German director (Marriage of Maria Braum)
1948 Rhea Perlman Brooklyn NY, actress (Carla-Cheers, Zena-Taxi)
1950 Tom Berenger Chicago IL, actor (Big Chill, Gettysburg)
1960 Chris Elliott New York NY, actor/comedian (Get a Life, David Letterman Show)
1961 Lea Thompson Rochester Minnesota, actress (Back to the Future, Space Camp)
1965 Brooke Shields New York NY, model/actress (Blue Lagoon, Suddenly Susan)
1971 Sarah O'Hare model (Cosmopolitan-Jan 1994)

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Deaths which occurred on May 31:
0455 Petronius Maximus senator/Emperor of Rome, lynched
1198 Moses ben Solomon Ha-Cohen rabbi of Mainz, dies
1740 Frederick-William I king of Prussia (1713-1740), dies at 51
1809 Franz Josef Haydn Austrian composer (Jahreszeiten), dies in Wien (Vienna) Austria at 77
1837 Joseph Grimaldi greatest clown (king of pantomime), dies at 57
1862 Robert Hatton Confederate Brigadier-General, dies in battle at about 34
1900 John Power Irish baronet/whiskey manufacturer, dies in battle
1916 Horace Hood British spy (Battle of Jutland), dies in battle
1942 Reinhard Heydrich German protector of Bohemia & Moravia, assassinated
1955 "Wild Bill" Vukovich killed in the Indianapolis 500
1961 Rafael Trujillo Dominican Republic President, assassinated at 69
1962 Adolf Eichmann war criminal, hanged for crimes against Jews in WWII at Ramie Prison in Israel at 56
1971 Reinhold Niebuhr US theologist, dies at 78
1974 Adelle Davis US nutrionalist (Let's stay healthy), dies at 70
1976 Martha Mitchell wife of former Attorney General John Mitchell, dies in New York at 57
1982 Jack Dempsey former heavyweight boxing champion/actor, dies at 86
1989 Dr Charles A Hufnagel artificial heart valve pioneer, dies at 72
1989 Terry Drinkwater CBS news correspondent, dies at 53 of cancer
1996 Timothy Francis Leary Harvard professor/LSD guru, dues of cancer at 75
1997 Rosie Will Monroe WWII icon (Rosie the riveter), dies at 76

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Reported: MISSING in ACTION

1965 PEEL ROBERT D. MEMPHIS TN.
["02/12/73 RELEASED BY DRV (BROADLANDS, IL)" ALIVE AND WELL 98]
1966 ALBERTSON BOBBY J. ANAHEIM CA.
[ALL CREW DEAD SP ALBERTON-WALL]
1966 CASE THOMAS F. THOMSON GA.
[ALL CREW DEAD REMAINS RETURNED 04/11/86]
1966 EDMONDSON WILLIAM R. CASSVILLE MO.
[ALL CREW DEAD]
1966 HARWORTH ELROY E. ELIZABETH MN.
[ALL CREW DEAD REMAINS RETURNED 04/10/86]
1966 HERROLD NED R. NEW BRUNSWICK NJ.
1966 MC DONALD EMMETT R. BELLEVUE WA
[ALL CREW DEAD]
1966 RAGLAND DAYTON W. KANSAS CITY MO.
1966 SHINGLEDECKER ARMON D. LIMA OH.
[ALL CREW DEAD, REMAINS RETURNED 1986, REMAINS IDENTIFIED 04/30/98]
1966 STEEN MARTIN W. GRAND FORKS ND.
[GOOD CHUTE HARNESS EMPTY]
1966 STICKNEY PHILLIP J. MANCHESTER NH.
[ALL CREW DEAD]
1966 ZOOK HAROLD J. NEW HOLLAND PA.
[ALL CREW DEAD - REMAINS RETURNED 04/10/86]
1967 CHAUNCEY ARVIN R. GLENDALE CA.
[03/04/73 RELEASED BY DRV, ALIVE AND WELL 98]
1967 FITZGERALD JOSEPH E. NORTHBRIDGE MA.
[REMAINS RETURNED 02/97]
1967 JAKOVAC JOHN A. DETROIT MI.
[REMAINS RETURNED 02/97]
1967 MC GAR BRIAN K. CERES CA.
[REMAINS RETURNED 02/97]
1968 BERESIK EUGENE PAUL WEBSTER MA.
1968 GATEWOOD CHARLES HUE CHICAGO IL.
1968 LEONARD EDWARD W. WINLOCK WA.
[03/28/73 RELEASED BY PL, ALIVE IN 98]
1970 COLNE ROGER FRANCE
[NOT ON OFFICIAL DIA LIST.]
1970 HANGEN WELLES
[REMAINS RETURNED 01/93]
1970 SAKAI KOJIRO JAPAN
[NOT ON OFFICIAL LISTS]
1970 WAKU YOSHIHIKO JAPAN
[NOT ON OFFICIAL LISTS]
1971 BRUNSON JACK W. SINCLAIRVILLE NY.
1971 MUSIL CLINTON A. SR. MINNEAPOLIS MN.

POW / MIA Data & Bios supplied by
the P.O.W. NETWORK. Skidmore, MO. USA.
Information on how to RETURN a bracelet.

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On this day...
0070 Rome captures 1st wall of the city of Jerusalem
1495 Emperor Maximilian, Pope Alexander VI, Milan, King Ferdinand, Isabella & Venice sign anti-French Saint League
1564 Battle on Gotland: Lübeck & Denmark beat Sweden
1621 Sir Francis Bacon thrown into Tower of London for 1 night
1634 US colony Massachusetts Bay annexes Maine colony
1665 Jerusalem's rabbi Sjabtai Tswi proclaims himself Messiah
1678 Lady Godiva rides naked through Coventry in a protest of taxes
1790 US copyright law enacted
1821 Cathedral of Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary, 1st US Catholic cathedral, is dedicated in Baltimore
1837 Astor Hotel (most elaborate in US) opens in NYC, it later becomes the Waldorf-Astoria
1853 Elisha Kane's Arctic expedition leaves New York aboard the Advance
1859 Philadelphia A's organize to play "town ball" became baseball 20 years later
1861 General Beauregard is given command of Confederate Alexandria Line
1861 Mint at New Orleans closes
1862 Battle of Seven Pines VA (Fair Oaks); North defeats South
1864 Raid at Morgan's Kentucky

1868 1st Memorial Day parade held in Ironton OH

1868 Dr James Moore (UK) wins 1st recorded bicycle race, (2k) velocipede race at Parc fde St Cloud, Paris
1870 Congress passes 1st Enforcement Act (rights of blacks)
1870 E J DeSemdt patents asphalt pavement
1879 Madison Square Garden opens its doors
1880 League of American Wheelmen (1st US bicycle association), forms in Newport RI
1883 French fleet under Pierre begins siege of Tamatave, Madagascar
1884 Dr John Harvey Kellogg patents "flaked cereal"
1889 Johnstown Flood; 2,209 die in Pennsylvania
1891 Work on trans-Siberian railway begins
1900 British troops under Lord Roberts occupy Johannesburg
1900 US troops arrive in Peking, help put down Boxer Rebellion
1906 Attack on King Alfonso XIII & Victoria von Battenberg in Madrid
1907 Taxis 1st began running in NYC
1908 Miss Pottelsberghe de la Pottery is 1st airplane passenger (Belgium)
1909 1st NAACP conference (United Charities Building, NYC)
1910 Glenn Curtiss flies from Albany to NYC
1912 US marines land on Cuba
1913 17th amendment (direct election of senators) declared ratified
1915 An LZ-38 Zeppelin makes an air raid on London
1916 Battle of Skagerrak: British-German sea battle at Jutland (10,000 dead)
1916 British battle cruiser Invincible explodes, killing all but 6
1917 1st jazz record released (Dark Town Strutters Ball)
1919 1st wedding held in an aircraft (over Houston TX)
1919 NC-4 aircraft commanded by AC Read completes 1st crossing of Atlantic
1921 Suffy McInnis (1st base) begins an errorless string of 1,700 chances
1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition opens in Philadelphia
1927 Detroit Tiger 1st baseman Johnny Neun makes an unassisted triple play
1927 Ford Motor Company produces last "Tin Lizzie" (begins Model A)
1928 1st aerial cross of the Pacific takes off from Oakland
1930 Comet 73P/1930 (Schwassmann-Wachmann 3) approaches 0.0617 astronomical units (AUs) of Earth
1935 Quake kills 50,000 in Quetta Pakistan
1937 1st quadruplets to finish college (Baylor University)
1937 German battleships bomb Almeria Spain
1941 1st issue of "Parade" goes on sale
1941 32.0 cm rain falls on Burlington KS (state record)
1941 41 U boats sunk this month (325,000 ton)
1941 German occupiers forbids Jews access to beach & swimming pools
1942 Luftwaffe bombs Canterbury
1943 "Archie" comic strip 1st broadcast on radio
1943 Cardinals Mort Cooper pitches 1st of back-to-back one-hitters
1944 Allied breakthrough in Italy
1947 Communists grab power in Hungary
1949 31st PGA Championship: Sam Snead at Hermitage CC Richmond VA
1949 Charley Lupica begins stay on 4-foot-square platform platform atop a 60' pole, vowing to stay until Indians clinch pennant. (They don't, and he comes down 117 days later)
1950 Due to rain, Indianapolis 500 shortened to 345 miles, Johnny Parson wins
1953 Lebanese President Camille Shamun disbands government
1955 Construction begins on Soviet cosmodrome launch facilities
1955 Great Britain proclaims emergency crisis due to railroad strike
1955 Supreme Court orders school integration "with all deliberate speed"
1956 Mickey Mantle homerun just misses clearing Yankee Stadium's roof
1958 Dick Dale invents "surf music" with "Let's Go Trippin"
1961 Chuck Berry's amusement park, Berryland in St Louis, opens
1961 Dominican Republic President Trujillo assassinated
1961 JFK visits Charles de Gaulle in Paris
1961 Judge Irving Kaufman orders Board of Education of New Rochelle, to integrate
1962 "Tell It To Groucho" last airs on CBS-TV
1964 San Fransisco Giants beat New York Mets, 8-6, in 23 innings (2nd game) (7 hours 32 minutes)
1965 Jim Clark becomes 1st foreigner in 49 years to win Indianapolis 500
1969 John Lennon & Yoko Ono record "Give Peace a Chance"
1969 Stevie Wonder releases "My Cherie Amour"
1970 At 03:23 PM, Yungay Peru levelled by 7.75 earthquake (50-70,000 die)
1974 Israel & Syria sign an agreement concerning Golan Heights
1977 Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani becomes heir apparent to throne of Qatar
1977 Trans Alaska oil pipeline completed
1984 57th National Spelling Bee: Daniel Greenblatt wins spelling luge
1985 41 Tornados in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York & Canada kill 88 & injure more than 1,000
1985 Guatemala adopts constitution
1985 New Orleans Saints are sold for $70,204,000
1987 Saul Ballesteros drives 3 golf balls off Mount McKinley, Alaska
1989 Speaker of the House Jim Wright resigns
1990 63rd National Spelling Bee: Amy Marie Dimak wins spelling fibranne
1990 NYC's Zodiac killer shoots 3rd victim, Joseph Ponce
1990 Seinfeld starring Jerry Seinfeld, debuts on NBC as Seinfeld Chronicles
1991 Oldest bride - Minnie Munro, 102, weds Dudley Reid, 83, in Australia
1991 Defense Secretary Dick Cheney announced the United States had begun storing military supplies in Israel for use in future conflicts.
1991 Sides in Angola sign a treaty ending 16 year civil war
1996 Mark Van Thillo & Abigail Alling, former biospherian win $100,000 lawsuit against Biospheric Development for Space Biospheres Ventures
1996 Benjamin Netanyahu claimed victory in Israel's election for prime minister, defeating incumbent Shimon Peres by nine-tenths of 1 percent.

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Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"

Botswana : President's Day
Brunei : Royal Brunei Malay Regiment
Namibia, South Africa : Union Day (1910), Republic Day (1961)
Zimbabwe : Independence Day (1979)
US : Memorial Day/Decoration Day, a legal holiday (1868](Monday)
Virginia : Confederate Memorial Day (1868)(Monday)
National Frozen Yogurt Week Begins
Spring Bank Holiday (United Kingdom).
Whit Monday (Britain).
National Photo Month

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Religious Observances
Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic : Feast of the Visitation [Queenship] of Mary
Roman Catholic : Commemoration of St Aurelia Petronilla, virgin
old Roman Catholic : Feast of St Angela Merici, virgin
Anglican : Commemoration of 1st Book of Common Prayer

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Religious History
1578 Italian archaeologist Antonio Bosio became the first man in modern times to rediscover the Christian catacombs in Rome. Researchers (e.g., Giovanni B. de Rossi) who followed him dubbed Bosio "the Columbus of the Catacombs."
1638 Colonial clergyman Thomas Hooker, 51, first arrived at the site of New Haven, CT, having migrated there with his church members who repudiated the autocratic rule of Puritanism in Boston. Hooker (the founder of Connecticut) believed Boston had become corrupt, and that church authority should rest in the people's consent.
1769 Anglican clergyman and hymnwriter John Newton wrote in a letter: 'He fulfills His promise in making our strength equal to our day; and every new trial gives us new proof how happy it is to be enabled to put our trust in Him.'
1821 The first Catholic cathedral in the U.S. ÀÀ the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary was dedicated in Baltimore.
1942 German warplanes bombed Canterbury, England, causing severe damage to the Canterbury Cathedral (seat of Anglicanism), in retaliation for Britain's assault on Cologne, Germany.

Source: William D. Blake. ALMANAC OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1987.

---

Thought for the day :
"They saw their injured country's woe;
The flaming town, the wasted field;
Then rushed to meet the insulting foe;
They took the spear, - but left the shield."

---

Actual Newspaper Headlines...
Ban On Soliciting Dead in Trotwood

---

Why did the Chicken cross the Road...
Darwin:
Chickens, over great periods of time, have been naturally selected in such a way that they are now genetically dispositioned to cross roads.

---

Dumb Laws...
Hawaii:
Coins are not allowed to be placed in one's ears.

---

A Cowboy's Guide to Life...
If it don't seem like it's worth the effort, it probably ain't.

[ken5050]

Morning all..on a lighter vein, an "after-action" report from yesterday's great day hosting 4 young Marines, in the city for Fleet Week, for a golf outing..

I'd done this a few times previously..first in 98 when the son of an old friend, whom I went through Quantico with, newly commissioned, was in the city..been able to do it twicw more since then..a few years we were away, and once it was impossible becauce the club was hostign an all-weekend tournament. This year, the pieces fell in place. But I decided that junior officers were probably getting enough (G)..thought it time to give the EM's a break in the fresh air and sunshine...Friends in San Diego did all the scouting and screening...Told them if they knew four young marines who were going to be in for Fleet week, and wanted to play a round of golf on Sunday.. Had to be Sunday becuase we have a member guestwith another club, and Sunday was our "away" day.. My only requirement was that they could reasonably play the game...get it around in less that 100...Well, many phone calls and email later, all arranged..Told them I'd meet them at the train at 8am , if the wanted to go to church with me, or 9 am if they wanted to sleep in a little..met them at the 9am train, happily, they were in uniform...I hadn't asked, but I hoped..four LC's..all splendid specimens of American youth.. I actually wasn't planning on playing, was going to walk the course with them for the round, being whatever help or assistance I could. We got to the clubhouse a little after nine, went in for a light breakfast. They were the center fo atention..had to drag them away for our tee-time..They brought slacks..we gaev then a club golf shirt, and the pro outfitted them with everythign. Them to my happy surprise, at the starter's, there were 4 other groups waiting to go off. They each grabbed one of my guests, actually, "kidnapped" is closer to it..I had no say whatsoever, and the four groups went off. I was instantly excess baggage..an a very happy guy. I followed them around the course, going from group to group..and was very happy to be ignored...My friends and club members were determined that each of those four young men was gonna have a great afternoon. We all finished up around 1:30, everyone showered, my four young marines, now resplendent again, we all went to the veranda for lunch, seemed like everyone wanted to come over, say hello, talk with them, shake their hands, touch the uniform. We have many young ladies working the summer as waitresses..they were all over the lads,and I do believe a phone number or e-addy may have been exchanged..anyways, one of our more ostentatious members insisted on givign the boys, now suitably lubricated. a ride back to the train station at 4:40 in his new HUMMER..hardly the military version...good fun, but ironic in a sense....

The point that I wanted to make, aside from just the pleasure of sharing a good story with you all, is that much has been written lately about the demographics of our volunteer force. There's some truth to that, sadly, but I think it's more a lack of first hand knowledge, and contact..We've got 325 members, probably 250 baby boomers. I think I, and 3 others, were in the service, and I don't know one person's kid who's going in, or is in..Some how we need to "outreach" for want of a better word..mayeb what we really need to do is to find a way to reach out to them when they come home, when they complete their tours..whether it's mentoring, advice, maybe helping their families here, while they're deployed. It seems a no brainer. I saw lots of my friends press the business cards, with home and cells numbers and addresses written ont he back, on all these four young marines, tellign them to call when they got back, or to write, or if they needed help with anythign...There was a tremendous amount of love, and good will, yesterday afternoon..Made me very proud.

And I can tell you that there is already talk about doign somethng on a much large scale for next year...there's talk about forming a "committee" to make plans...I heard thoughts about having a whole ships's company up for the weekend, putting them up with folks....lordy, these poor people who never served, they don't know what they're doing...they'll have to lock up their wives and daughters next year....

[Valin]

"We have gone forth from our shores repeatedly over the last hundred years and we’ve done this as recently as the last year in Afghanistan and put wonderful young men and women at risk, many of whom have lost their lives, and we have asked for nothing except enough ground to bury them in, and otherwise we have returned home to seek our own, you know, to seek our own lives in peace, to live our own lives in peace. But there comes a time when soft power or talking with evil will not work where, unfortunately, hard power is the only thing that works."
Colin Powell

[Valin]

We have many young ladies working the summer as waitresses..they were all over the lads,and I do believe a phone number or e-addy may have been exchanged.

OK now I'm jealous! :-)

[Samwise]

Excellent essay, snippy.

[Soaring Feather]

Memorial Day Greeting to All.

[Soaring Feather]

Exceptional thread, snippy. Thank You.

[tomball]

Greetings Foxhole,

Beautiful post for this day.

May you and yours have a memorable Memorial Day.

[Professional Engineer]

Good morning ladies. Flag-o-gram.

[Professional Engineer]

A distant relative's name is here.

[Professional Engineer]

Taps with 30 second drum roll

Thanks Snippy. I can't hear Taps without getting teary eyed. I've played it three times so far. Spiderboy wanted to hear it a second time as well.

[Professional Engineer]

Cool beans. Thanks for the report.

[Professional Engineer]

http://nathanadams.com/WeSupportU.htm

[Iris7]

Good work. Thanks. Got some work to do around here, I see.

[The Mayor]

When we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. —Romans 5:6

The memory of Jesus' death calls us to a life of praise.

[The Mayor]

May 31, 2004

Remember

Read: John 19:1-8

When we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. —Romans 5:6

Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 13-14; John 12:1-26

---

Prime Minister Winston Churchill was honoring members of the Royal Air Force who had defended Britain during World War II. Recounting their brave service, he declared, "Never in the history of mankind have so many owed so much to so few."

A similar sentiment appears on a memorial plaque in Bastogne, Belgium, where raged the famous Battle of the Bulge, one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Second World War. The inscription, in honor of the US 101st Airborne Division, reads: "Seldom has so much American blood been shed in the course of a single action. Oh, Lord, help us to remember!"

Those are fitting and well-deserved tributes to the courageous men and women who sacrificed so much for their country.

As I think about them, I also remember the One whose selfless sacrifice resulted in benefits for people of all nations. Jesus Christ, the sinless One, died on a cross and shed His blood to pay the penalty for our sins. In so doing, He guaranteed our freedom—freedom from the penalty, power, and someday even the presence of sin. Of Jesus it can be said: Never in the history of mankind have so many owed so much to one Man. Yes, His was the greatest sacrifice.

Lord, help us to remember! —Richard De Haan

'Twas not a martyr's death He died,
The Christ of Calvary;
It was a willing sacrifice
He made for you—for me. —Adams

The memory of Jesus' death calls us to a life of praise.

[SAMWolf]

Morning Aeronaut.

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning E.G.C. Cloudy this morning. Hoping it clears up for the services today.

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning GailA.

MMMMMM, sweetrolls.

[SAMWolf]

1930 Clint Eastwood San Fransisco CA, actor (Dirty Harry)/mayor (Carmel CA)

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the report ken5050.

There was a tremendous amount of love, and good will, yesterday afternoon..Made me very proud.

It's great to hear about the outporing of support for these Marines.

You done good. :-)

[SAMWolf]

Yeah me too!

[SAMWolf]

Morning Samwise.

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning Feather.

[SAMWolf]

Morning tomball. Thanks for dropping by this Memorial Day.

[SAMWolf]

Morning PE. Great Flag-o-gram today.

[SAMWolf]

There's a sound that can tear you apart.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

SAM, snippy, the Foxhole seemed a right place to honor our most recent fallen today.

Thank you for honoring our troops, daily.

~    ~

 

Task Force Olympia Soldier Dies of Wounds

MOSUL, Iraq - A Soldier assigned to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), under the operational control of Task Force Olympia, died May 30 from wounds following a mortar attack the previous day.

The Soldier had been transported to the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad following the attack.

The identity of the Soldier is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
 

Release #040531c

~ * ~

Two Task Force 1st AD Soldiers Die in Separate Engagements

KUFA, Iraq - Two Task Force 1st Armored Division Soldiers died in separate engagements south of Kufa the evening of May 30.  

One Soldier was killed when his patrol was ambushed with small arms fire and the other was killed when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his tank during a patrol.

The Soldiers' names are being withheld pending next-of-kin notification. 

Release #040531b

~ * ~

1st AD Soldier Killed, Two Others Wounded in IED Attack

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Three Task Force 1st Armored Division Soldiers were wounded at about 6:40 p.m. May 30 when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device south of Baghdad.

The Soldiers were evacuated to the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, where one Soldier died from wounds sustained in the attack.

The deceased Soldier's name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Release #040531a

 

 

Soldier’s Creed      

 

I am an American Soldier.      

I am a Warrior and a member of a team.        

I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.        

I will always place the mission first.       

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.        

I will never leave a fallen comrade.       

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. 

I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.        

I am an expert and I am a professional.       

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.  

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.    

 

I am an American Soldier.  

 

~ * ~           

 

1^st Armored Division

Stryker Brigade Combat Team

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

God bless our troops.

 

 

[Aeronaut]

Hey Sam.

[Mudboy Slim]

Happy Memorial Day, snippy!!

"Tales of Bold Patriots!!"
(To be sung to Cream's "Tales Of Brave Ulysses")

You thought the Lib'ral DemRATS...would bring US down forever...
But we'll rise above Left's treason...RAT's wish violence on our own!!

Yes, the passion of the FRee...pierce thru LIES of bumblin' bureaucRATs...
As we shed our Lib'ral leeches...by slashing Fed'ral programs...
Power's wicked weilders torture...those who seek to live in FReedom...
The heroic Reagan's calling you to build a shining City!!

Next, you'll see Jewel's tanned body...dripping of Left's essence...
But her foolish statements're hollow...We Fight Fer Liberty!!
So when DemLib'rals gather...FReep down RATS' vile sedition...
Proudly FReep Dem Lib'rals...with the issues 'cuz we're Right!!

Once-mighty tyrant's nekkid...once FReedom's been delivered...
Sheeple want to inflict Justice...RATS'll do hard time or be buried!!

Our "game" is Righteous Justice...and we'll FReep DemRATS to Hell!!
Kerry knows folks cannot stand him...'cuz he LIED about his comrades!!
Purple Hearts fer mild abrasions...Hanoi Johnnie shirked his duty...
Fled home early...LIED to Congress!!

The Righteous rise up proudly...we'll Liberate THIS Country!!
Folks, you need to join the FReepers...as we stand against Left's Terror!!

Mudboy Slim (5/31/04)

[Professional Engineer]

Hiya Sam. A second Flag-o-gram for ya'. Taken this morning at Castle Sparksalot.

Forget Me Nots in the front yard here.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the link PE.

[SAMWolf]

Morning Iris7

[SAMWolf]

'Twas not a martyr's death He died,
The Christ of Calvary;
It was a willing sacrifice
He made for you—for me. —Adams

Thank you for the reminder, Mayor.

[SAMWolf]

Thank you Ragtime Cowgirl.

Snippy and I are about top leave for the Memorial Day Ceremonies at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Portland.

[SAMWolf]

God morning Mud.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks PE.

[SandRat]

Flaqs up. Army service banner too.

Saw the WWII Memorial Ceremony here and had to clean my glasses several times. Lawn sprinklers I guess.

[bravo whiskey]

Thoughts on Memorial Day 2004

Why is this Memorial (or Decoration Day) weekend different from past holidays? We are at war but we were at war last year. Soldiers have died but soldiers died last year and the year before and every year since 1941, in hot wars and in the cold war. I have not lost family or friends or even know anyone who has lost family or friends. Yet this day I feel a loss more than I have in the past. I have not been called upon to sacrifice; there is no rationing, no tax increases, no shortage of essential and non-essential items. Yes, gas is a little higher, it is not excessive and minor changes in driving habits can overcome the increase at the pump.
As I watched the dedication of the World War 2 Memorial, I pondered the sacrifices Americans made during that war. There were boys from the farms of Iowa who had never seen an ocean fighting off Okinawa. There were boys who had never left the city fighting in the jungles of Guadalcanal. There were black soldiers flying over Italy or liberating concentration camps in Germany who could not use the same water fountain at home, housewives who became pilots and nurses, Nisei who fought with the 442nd Infantry in Italy while some of their parents were interned. Many grew up too fast, some never had the opportunity to grow up but all gave all they could to see America victorious in a war against tyranny and oppression. I think of the Sullivans, whose blue stars turned to gold for five sons in one evening. I cannot imagine what that must have felt like and how family can recover from such a loss. But they did. To paraphrase Tom Hanks, they went to war, did their job, came home, and looked to the future. The soldiers who came home put the war in the past and looked to the future. The freedoms of the future were what they had sacrificed and died for and there wasn’t any point in dwelling in the past. Many who returned went on to accomplishments never dreamed of prior to their service.
That was Saturday and Sunday was the Washington D.C. Memorial Day celebration. Again, for me, it was different from past years. The tributes to the dead and wounded were honorable and without rancor or politics. How refreshing.
I thought again of World War 2 and the sacrifices on the home front everybody endured. The focus was on victory but no one knew when. In March of 1942, victory was not a shining beacon in the night, rather a single lit match lost in the vastness of the universe. But we prevailed, we overcame, we adapted, and we won.
Today, I will read and remember and, perhaps, play an historical wargame. But there will be a difference in the game. The pieces will no longer be just little squares or icons with numbers and odds. They will represent soldiers and sailors and marines and airmen I have read about, soldiers I have served with in my past. The game will no longer be about just winning, but winning with as little loss of life as possible. The units have come alive.
I was fortunate enough to attend the 60th anniversary of the attack on Hawaii at Pearl Harbor. At the end of the ceremony, everyone took an orchid from the bowl. On the orchid was the name of someone who had died that day. We tossed the orchid into the harbor and watched them float in the same waters where so many had died, overshadowed by the white of the Arizona Memorial.
This is for FC2 George Calvin Ford, who died on U.S.S. Oklahoma on December 7th, 1941. May God hold him in the palm of His hand until the sea gives up her dead.

[Mudboy Slim]

Good evening, Mr. Wolf...MUD