Memorial Day

[Synchro Joe]

Let's not forget what Memorial Day is really about.

[pwd72s]

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Synchro Joe

Bless you for that picture.

Having lost many friends in service, having dealt with those left wondering what next after the death of a service member, I find Memorial Day the most hallowed of days...

To all of you that have served, to all who support and understand the shared sacrifices, it is good to know you all: Shipmates, Grunts, Airmen and to my West Point father and his incredible squad.

[Jim Richards]

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Synchro Joe

Let's not forget what Memorial Day is really about.



-snip-

That the 18 year old soldier's mother in the photo, in case anyone didn't know.

Sobering.

Thank you, Joe.


This is a good read:

Sacred Duty: A Soldier’s Tour at Arlington National Cemetery

[Jim Richards]

[Jim Richards]

[SCadaddle]

This was my Uncle, a retired Lt. Col. of the Marines who flew in WWII, Korea, Vietnam and then Chiefs of Staff in D.C. into the late 60's, at age 100 saluting the Flag during the playing of taps at his brothers funeral last year, my Dad who lived to be 98, a retired Lt. Commander of the Navy who served in WWII then did 28 years in the Naval Reserve. A year later I would lose my Uncle at age 101. The 2 greatest men of my life.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Synchro Joe

Let's not forget what Memorial Day is really about.

Thank you to all...humbly.

[id10t]

One I use for 11/11 since it has poppies, but appropriate

[E38Driver]

This was on another forum that I belong to.

Dave

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.

And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

1987 A. Lawrence Vaincourt

[DanielDudley]

https://imgur.com/t/memorial_day

[Danimal16]

It is the failure of the Statesmen that give rise to war,
We erase their mistakes with the blood of our young.

[Por_sha911]

Thank you Joe for speaking up. I know they mean well but I cringe slightly when people say "happy Memorial Day". I'm not wearing sackcloth and ashes and I do enjoy the freedom my country has due to the ultimate sacrifice of others but I don't wish a "happy" day. Likewise, don't wish a living veteran happy Memorial Day. Just my opinion.

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Thank you Joe for speaking up. I know they mean well but I cringe slightly when people say "happy Memorial Day". I'm not wearing sackcloth and ashes and I do enjoy the freedom my country has due to the ultimate sacrifice of others but I don't wish a "happy" day. Likewise, don't wish a living veteran happy Memorial Day. Just my opinion.

Yes, many folks do this out of a well meaning spirit but they do not understand what the day is about....save the greeting for Veterans day.

[Dantilla]

[71T Targa]

1920 - 1982

U.S.Army WWII, Korea.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Synchro Joe

Let's not forget what Memorial Day is really about.

Scenes like this are why I stopped riding with the Patriot Guard. Too many wives and Mothers grieving their loss. Bless them all, all who served, all who survived, all who didn't and all who still serve.

[Sboxin]

Never Forget - 1967 I 3/4 Gio Linh RVN
Regards,

[Baz]

Thanks, Roy.....