REMEMBER

Have a good Memorial Day. But also take a few minutes to explain to your kids why we call it that.

You might also take a few minutes yourself and read this story. (Thanks to Josh)

Comments

[Jacki]

My thoughts and prayers are with all those who have, or have recently lost loved ones, serving at this time.

Three generations served in war in my family, and I know that is sometimes the surviving veterans and thier families, that continue to pay the price for our "freedoms" long after the battle is over.

[daisymae]

Thanks for the reminder, Dave. My parents were both WWII vets, and I grew up in the military.

[Margo]

What a wonderful, beautiful story. I have goosebumps. My prayers and condolences for his family.

Not just today, but every day. Thank a soldier. Thank a veteran.

[Kibby F5™]

*takes a moment of silence*

Remember.

[Meanie the Blue]

*Salutes Sgt. Merlin German*

Rest In Peace, sir. Deepest condolences to your family and friends.

*Remembers with greatest thanks all who have died for our country, our freedom, our future.*

(and thank you, Josh and Dave).

[Jazzzz]

thank you Dave...
Thank you to our wonderful soldiers.....

[Siouxie]

Good morning.

I've read about Sgt. German ever since he got back and now recently, when he finally passed. What a courageous young man. May God Bless all the men and women (and their families) who have served and who continue to serve. Prayers to those who've lost their lives to give us the freedoms we enjoy today.

Thanks for the reminder, Dave (and Josh).

[Annie Where-but-here]

He is one tough Yankee fan. (btw - Yankee fans never die - they just get better seats.)

Semper Fi, sir.

[judi]

there are no words... thoughts and prayers to all who serve now and who have ever served.

[lil rascal]

So many owe so few so much. Thanks for the links.

[Steve Haller]

And for God's sake let's hope our next President -- whoever he or she may be -- gets our men and women out of Iraq and back home to their families where they belong ... !

[Eleanor]

Steve - as the Beach boys sang, "Wouldn't That Be Nice...."

And I join in everyone's messages.

[Guin]

Merlin German is a hero. Our country is lucky to have men and women like him who choose to serve us.

[Punkin]

Super Hero.

Only the good die young....

[Kathybear]

Thanks, Dave. I think my mom's side of the family has been in every war (with the possible exception of the Spanish-American and the French-Indian) since the Revolution. My great-great-great-grandfather's brother on my father's side of the family died in one of the battles of the Civil War and was buried in a National Cemetery - one of those which may have been "decorated" on the original Decoration Day in 1868. Decoration Day didn't become Memorial Day, I found, until 1971. It became a Decoration Day for all who died in battle just after WWI. /end history lesson
For all those who have someone somewhere in your family history, who died somewhere on a field of battle, thank them in your thoughts and prayers and remember them ...

[Siouxie]

Kathy, many thanks to your family for their service. We also have some wonderful blog friends that are/have been in the service and I would like to thank them as well.

I hope you all had a good Memorial day.

[SandyEggo]

We attended a Memorial Day service last night that was fantastic...it was held at a WWI Memorial Museaum in KC, in front of the historic Union Station, with the KC Symphony, an Tony award winner actor announcing and speaking along with the incredible graphics on a huge screen TV. The one and only survivor of WW1 was present (107), and was duly honored. Each branch of the military was honored with their song and guard - my husband stood when his turn. With the cannons blaring, and the fireworks bursting, it was the epitomy of pride. I've never been so proud of a city - and a country and its people.

The one extremely funny thing that happened...we were all on grass in our folding chairs...a couple were in front of us, their friends joined them...the wife pulled her folding chair out of the bag, then the 300lb husband pulled his...and it was a Mickey Mouse child's chair. He stepped back..."WHAT". Apprently, the kid's chair got put in the wrong bag - guess you had to be there. But if you could have seen his face...we're still laughing. Perfect night - as an aside, my father was in WW1, and got shot in the "nether" (butt) region.

[Cat R]

Slinks in®

Thank you for the link, Dave and Josh. Thank you to all the service men and women who protect us every day. Rest in peace, Dad.

*Prays for peace in the world*

[Shallu Garg]

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[philintexas]

Rest in Peace Donnie and Johnny

http://www.virtualwall.org/dm/MorrisDD01a.htm

http://virtualwall.org/dh/HollisJE01a.htm

[shell]

My husbands dad and step-dad were/are both veterans. Both Korea. My husband and our two teen-age sons--and myself now---are the only ones to call and say Thank You on this day. It breaks my heart that noone else pays attention. I just lost my grandad, whom was in the navy during WWII. I so sincerly wish that I knew more about what he went thru. I know he was on the USS Douglass and am learning more about that all the time.

Bless all off those that have chosen that path. May we be forever grateful.

[shell]

My husbands dad and step-dad were/are both veterans. Both Korea. My husband and our two teen-age sons--and myself now---are the only ones to call and say Thank You on this day. It breaks my heart that noone else pays attention. I just lost my grandad, whom was in the navy during WWII. I so sincerly wish that I knew more about what he went thru. I know he was on the USS Douglass and am learning more about that all the time.

Bless all off those that have chosen that path. May we be forever grateful.

[shell]

Before anyone points out both my double post and my confusion...I do realize the USS Douglas wasn't commissioned until after the war. Grandad was on it at that time. I'm curious about where he was BEFORE that. He was not a talker about where he was and what he'd been thru. He was just a "Navy Man". Kinda rare here being a native Arkansan and spending the rest of his life in Kansas, as neither states are known for their large bodies of water.

[Annie Where-but-here]

shell - many vets don't talk about their experiences. It's often too painful. And they're shielding their loved ones from the horrors of war. Many, including myself, would love to know their stories, but they've opted to fall on an emotional mortar, so to speak, to spare the rest of us.

[shell]

Annie-I know this is a common want. I wish there was someway to take that "emotional mortar" away. Especially right now.

We have a good friend that did 3 tours in Vietnam, made it a career and had a key role in a big deal around 1980. He was spit on coming home from Vietnam. There was indifference after Iran. The emotion was prefered over the indifference. At least that way someone was paying attention.

[shep]

I know it's late, but hope you all check this thread again in the morning. Please check this site for a small sample of the sacrifices made during war (sorry, don't know how to make a hot link):
http://swiftboats.org/memorials/kias/kiaphotos.htmle