Memorial Day 2015

[Baz]

I will be observing with gratitude and remembrance to those who gave all.

[afterburn 549]

As we all should.
Most forget the reason they are able to speak english and have that party on the beach.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Not in our house, I always make a point to remind my kids what the day is really about. Thanks to those that served, and RIP to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Sadly we will be enjoying a three day weekend full of rain. No boating for us!

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by baz

i will be observing with gratitude and remembrance to those who gave all.

+1

[crustychief]

I am going to hand out buddy poppies at our local shopping center In remembrance of our heroes that are no longer with us .

[Seahawk]

I had a 0700 meeting in Crystal City this morning at the Marriott.

I was meeting a couple who lost their son due to medical reasons (heart) while he was in the Marines.

They have asked me to help them with providing medical supplies, in field video, etc. via unmanned systems to try and help prevent unnecessary loss. The meeting also included the head of Navy Medicine. Interesting morning.

The couple was in town for the annual Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Conference being held at the Marriott (TAPS: Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is Here For You!), a group I had only heard about and in no way associated with.

I am a pretty insular person, I don't often avail myself to others. But these folks and the TAPS people, wow. Very emotional morning. The huge Marriott hotel was filled with families that had lost the most precious people in their lives...yet the camaraderie, the happiness at being among those they could share with, was palpable.

As I was leaving the TAPS program was just getting started. As proud as I was of them, I was not of them...I left thinking of the richness and humbleness of this great land, a land that still produces families of strength and dignity finding their way in the best manner they can muster.

Today was Memorial Day for me.

[afterburn 549]

[afterburn 549]

Just listen and pass this on if it means something to you.
In America we take things so for granted on this day.
But Someone had to pay.
We do not seem to want remember who payed it all so we could go out and play on this Memorial Day.
At some point in time families listened to this .
It was not a happy moment .
But we still stand free and speak english..
Some would rather water it all dwn to
everything is Ok as long as "it is not on this shore."
Like we should not care about others anymore.
Maybe we should take a moment and think,
To remeber .
Or freedom is no stronger then those would stand in front of the paper and the ink.

[Jolly Amaranto]

An uncle of mine was killed in New Guinea and burred at the Manila American Cemetery in Manila.

[Skytrooper]

R.I.P. Uncle Howard

Margraten Cemetery, Holland





Died less than 4 weeks before VE

[Baz]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Thank you Afterburn.....I saw this posted in the comments section and thought it would be of interest:

"Il Silenzio" is indeed military in origin. It was adapted from an old Belgian cavalry charge. I've posted the story of this video below. In a cemetery about six miles from the Dutch city of Maastricht lie buried 8,301 American soldiers who died in "Operation Market Garden" in the battles to liberate the Netherlands in the fall and winter of 1944–5. Every one of the men buried in the cemetery, as well as those in the Canadian and British military cemeteries has been adopted by a Dutch family who tend the grave and keep alive the memory of the soldier they have adopted. It is the custom to keep a portrait of "their" foreign soldier in a place of honour in their home. Annually on "Liberation Day", Memorial Services are held for the men who died to liberate the Netherlands. The day concludes with a concert, at which "Il Silenzio" has always been the concluding piece. In 2008 the soloist was a 13-year-old Dutch girl, Melissa Venema, backed by André Rieu and the Royal Orchestra of the Netherlands. Sincere thanks to Miss Venema, Mr. Rieu, the Royal Orchestra of the Netherlands, and to the people of the Netherlands. Sgt. Moore 5th Marines 2/1 Vietnam 1969-71

Thanks to all who have posted their thoughts and remembrances.

[mreid]

Ron White visited our home office and wrote the 2,300 names of those killed in Operation Enduring Freedom on this wall, in order and from memory. Prayers and thanks to all who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

[Racerbvd]

Don't forget those who passed from things they picked up while in conflict, many Vietnam veterans are suffering from cancers, I have lost family & very close friends to this.

[flyenby]

I remember my friends killed in Vietnam......I made it home and got to live my life, they were between 19 and 20.

[Baz]

[widgeon13]

Visited family and friends this afternoon.

[intakexhaust]

To die for.... sad. Where's the respect?

[afterburn 549]

Most people today have zero for a clue why they can still speaking English.
Looking back , history could have been a lot different.

[Speed Buggy]

Thank you veterans. All gave some, some gave all.

Thank you Arthur Fredrick Wuebben, Merchant Marines, Pacific, W.W. II
Thank you Gerald Arthur Wuebben, U.S. Navy, Cuban Missle Blockade.

They returned.

Michael Arthur Wuebben, USN, SSN-725, U.S.S. Helena.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

Visited family and friends this afternoon.

Just got back myself. There was a nice ceremony and service. I was reminded that almost a million American men and women have died in the defense of the freedoms and principles that we enjoy and uphold in their absence.

May they rest in peace.