Memorial Day

[Synchro Joe]

These sort of say it all. Went to local Veteran's cemetery this morning, actually quite a few people there paying their respects. Nuff said.
USAF Retired

[Seahawk]

That last picture will break your heart...

While I have lost friends, each I spend a moment with today, the one loss that hits closest to home for me was when I was the COS for a large Program Executive Office at NAVAIR.

A Yeoman First Class checked onboard to support the staff and Admiral and I was delighted to meet her. We needed the help and we sat in my office for her in-brief.

I always ask about family first, where are you from, etc. I did so with her.

She started crying - not the I stubbed my toe and it hurts crying, but a guttural, primal angst.

Her husband, a Marine H-46 crewman, was killed in the early stages of Iraq when his H-46 was either lost or shot down.

I had no idea and felt like a complete fool for not knowing. It was my fault, part of my job to know.

I was soon to be promoted to O-6, been scuffed up, seen things and had been to many funerals wearing the long blue coat.

In a former tour I had to separately call the parents of a young Marine pilot (I rented a room from him when I was at Sikorsky) to tell them that their son had died in a wreck. That was hard.

But nothing, and I mean nothing, could have prepared me for the young woman in front of me, so in love with her husband and their future together that she simply could not control her spasms of grief because it was all gone.

She is the other side of Memorial Day: The families, especially the young spouses and children.

I think of her often. We were able to get her the help she needed at her pace and preference. As it should be.

My best YN1.

[pwd72s]

Not much response to memorial day threads...here and other sites I visit. Saddens me, but I think I know why...

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Not much response to memorial day threads...here and other sites I visit. Saddens me, but I think I know why...

I will only speak for myself ...

I don't usually respond year after year (though I have on occasion) because I leave these threads to those who have served, have lost their brothers-in-arms, and have suffered personal losses .... I somehow don't feel like intruding.

I have nothing but respect for those who have served and sacrificed .... particularly those who this day Memorializes and those they left to carry on.

Nothing but RESPECT here .... and I've never met many who aren't like me either. Guys like AB .... they served when I was just a kid ... a different time entirely.

Peace to you all....

[HobieMarty]

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[stevej37]

Of seven uncles and my father who all served in ww11...only one uncle never returned.
He was lost at sea in the Pacific after his ship was bombed.

My G'ma was heart-broken and could never talk about it.
So many never came back.

[KFC911]

AB this day of honor for those that sacrificed their lives is still a BIG deal here locally. Between the events held at a local "Field of Honor", Parades held in several towns, and massive local news coverage, etc. folks do remember and are interested .... and I sincerely mean that. "We" have not forgotten...

[flatbutt]

Edit. No more.

[KFC911]

^^^^^ I do not understand Rika's response, but see at least one post has been edited, and maybe others have been deleted? I'm just a bit confused .....

Best to you Rika, and I just hope no one posted the unthinkable on this thread.... that is all.

[URY914]

I saw it before it was deleted and it made little sense.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by KC911

^^^^^ I do not understand Rika's response, but see at least one post has been edited, and maybe others have been deleted? I'm just a bit confused .....

Best to you Rika, and I just hope no one posted the unthinkable on this thread.... that is all.

The edits were of silly pictures I found superfluous and inane on a Memorial Day thread.

Rikao4 is a man who has earned my respect and admiration.

As I wrote before, bless the YN1 who lost her husband: Honor isn't a slippery slope, all it requires is a Rika.

[LWJ]

As someone who knew they couldn’t serve, I have an enormous respect for those that do. Defense is sacred.

Want to really piss me off? Treat veterans poorly, cut benefits, etc. Also, when stupid politicians wage stupid wars, this too, pisses me off.

Hopefully I didn’t ruin the thread.

[GG Allin]

My favorite feature of Facebook is all the Veterans Day posts on Memorial Day.

[Rikao4]

a sincere apology to those who want one..
but the anger I feel over those Marines on the ground..
I've cared for those..
and lost some trying my best..
this wasn't Isis in Iraq or Afghanistan..
t'was trash that isn't worthy of being a roadkill..


Rika

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Rikao4

a sincere apology to those who want one..
but the anger I feel over those Marines on the ground..
I've cared for those..
and lost some trying my best..
this wasn't Isis in Iraq or Afghanistan..
t'was trash that isn't worthy of being a roadkill..


Rika

Rika, I saw your post (before it disappeared), and the one that had been edited. I don't think you owe anyone an apology ... I just didn't know what it was all about and thus I asked. Methinks you've earned the respect of everyone here ... the mere thought of someone disrespecting those who have served on this thread would piss everybody off imo. Same goes for you AB, Seahawk, and everyone else too....

Now I'll leave this thread to you guys ... I have no clue as to what you all have experienced first hand.... so I thank you all... each and every one.

[RNajarian]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

This thread may get sidetracked as most do, no big deal.
Truly, this holiday yesterday, or what is left of it in years to come, if.., if many more is even left, is about the ones that gave it all.
If we haven't ever visited the graveyards or helped put up the flags..maybe we should.
I can't talk too loudly as I haven't ever gone and seen that dam Wall...That wall....
Gonna do it someday..
Just hard to do.

If they are in your thoughts and prayers you are already “going to the wall.”

I wear the wall on my wrist



We each pay tribute in our own way.

[monoflo]

You earned the right to talk if you choose.

Find your own peace --- I ALWAYS buy poppies --All my vehicles have them on the rearview-

Let your heart speak - You don't have to see it -if you honor it.

Semper Fi...

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by KC911

Now I'll leave this thread to you guys ... I have no clue as to what you all have experienced first hand.... so I thank you all... each and every one.

KC, don't leave, you belong here as much as anyone else. You are one of the friends we came home too.

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

If they are in your thoughts and prayers you are already “going to the wall.”

This.

[RNajarian]

Afterburn549. I’ll get you the link in a bit. Stay tuned