Memorial Day

[RNajarian]

Originally Posted by Danimal16

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

I concur !!!

[RNajarian]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

RNajarian
May I ask, where did you get the wrist ban>?
I think I need to get some too.
Thanx

Here it is friend. . .

https://www.memorialbracelets.com/

[Danimal16]

It is hard to explain sometimes how things change. I remember Captain Web, Captain Moe, George Aguirre, and others from the Vietnam war, friends of our family, my father's Marine Brothers. It takes on a whole new meaning when it is your friends, including those whose wounds killed them even after they came home. Sometimes the end of May is harder than others.

[speeder]

Here's a story about someone that I'm kind of related to. My brother-in-law, with whom I am fairly close, lost his dad when he was a toddler in a plane crash. His dad was an AF pilot and I think that he died on a training mission. It was in 1958. My BIL, Andy, was then adopted and raised by his stepdad.

I've never known much about him other than what is stated above but Andy put a nice tribute to him on FB this year for Memorial Day. His dad was 29 years old with two small children that he never got to see grow up. He never got to see Andy play college baseball and become a heart surgeon, or see him marry another young MD, (my baby sister), and raise some great kids. I know that a version of this story could be repeated millions of times for all of the tragic losses of our most valuable resource but this is ours.

Here are a couple of photos I'd never seen and the last one is Andy visiting his dad's grave with his kids about 20 years ago:

[gacook]

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.

Only time I ever saw my dad cry was at the Wall. Had a very vague understanding of "why" at that point (I was maybe 12). Wasn't till after I spent some time in green myself that I really understood.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by KC911

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....

Right. My dad served. My uncle and one of my grandfathers served. The military will always be a part of my life even though I didn't serve. I am thankful for those who have served and those who have paid the ultimate price.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by masraum

Right. My dad served. My uncle and one of my grandfathers served. The military will always be a part of my life even though I didn't serve. I am thankful for those who have served and those who have paid the ultimate price.

I have a large extended family on both sides .... many who have served in many wars (one great uncle had 12 kids .... 10 served and there was a local newspaper article about them), but only a few served in the 60's/70's, and not in 'nam itself. Except my cousin married a very cool guy (RIP) who served on a PT boat? (some type of river boat).... he bought me and another underage cousin drinks in '77 in a bar in Cripple Creek, Co .... but I digress ... he was a long hair, motorcycle riding undercover narc back then too.

Calvin was a fun loving guy, but one time we were on a boat cruising around a very large lake sometime in the early 80s .... ventured up one of the creeks .... I watched CC get VERY somber and subdued .... I could tell he was in a different place that I just could not comprehend .... thankfully.

So I thank the rest of you who have done similar .... so I never had to.

Peace to you all .... and that Wall is sobering.

[Racerbvd]