MEMORIAL DAY

Have a good one. But remember why it's called Memorial Day, and tell your kids.

Related link for Veterans and their families, thanks to nursecindy.

Comments

[NotSherly]

Well said. Will do.

[Uncle Skip]

Thanks, Dave.

[Siouxie]

Amen to that, Dave!

[ron]

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses,row on row.

In the softest of whispers,so as not to disturb your peace,I say,"thank you".

[Punkin Poo]

Greatest thanks to better people than I'll ever be.

[Brian]

I once had an elderly relative, a WW2 vet, tell me what it meant to him to be in the military. In a very succinct manner he said that at least once in his life he had written a check, made out to The United States of America. He told me, the ammount of the check is, "Up to and including my life."

I was a smart assed teenager then and didn't really understand what he was trying to tell me, but in the passing years it has become clear what military personel and families are willing to sacrifice for our freedom.

Thank you to all our nation's service men and women.

[nursecindy]

We lived at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines for several years. There was a cemetery there that was just hundreds of white crosses in rows. These were WWII soldiers that had died there. I wondered what had happened to it after Mt. Pinatubo erupted because it basically destroyed Clark. It broke my heart. I found out later that the Filipinos cleaned up this cemetery and were keeping it up out of respect for those that had died to keep them free. Happy Memorial Day everyone.

[Margaritaville]

It's a rare breed that will sacrifice so much so that our country will be safe. I think North Korea's test of a nuclear bomb is a sobering reminder that their job is not done yet.

[Meanie the Blue]

*Salutes the brave who have died in service to our country, and the brave who put their lives on the line for it*

[trustf8]

"I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me."

-Lee Greenwood

[Siouxie]

Brian, what a moving story. Many thanks to your relative.

From a Cuban American - Thank you!!!

[azred]

To all our military personnel - past, present, and future - YOU ROCK! America really does support you.

[Renee (the First)]

Many thanks and many blessings to all our heroes in uniform.

[Mot the Hoople]

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

[kristie]

My grandmother passed away this weekend. She served in WWII as a Wave, and met my grandfather in the Naval hospital in San Diego. He stayed in the Marines after that war was over and then served in Korea. All three of my brothers served in the Marines, and my Grandmother was so very proud of all of them.

Many thanks to those who have served and continue to do so. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten!

[Tash]

Kristie, heartfelt wishes to you and your loss this weekend. And add my salutes to our heroes, American and otherwise. And may peace bring a stop to these endless deaths... "War is over, if you want it"

[ken in sc]

Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day. It was a day to decorate the graves, with flowers and flags, of those who had passed while in service to our country. How it came to be a cookout day, I don't know.

[Brian]

Siouxie, cindy, Kristie, and all...

With all the rememberances going on live and on TV, I hope that young people will have a better understanding of what exactly the term
bailout should mean to each and every American. And its not about free money.

As you guys pointed out, often it's foreigners in foreign lands that have a better appreciation of the sacrifices made than many Americans.

My condolences Kristie.

[Siouxie]

kristie, my condolences to you and your family. Please thank your brothers on my behalf. You must be so proud of them and of your grandparents - and so are we.

Brian, knowing what it is not to have all the freedoms some people take for granted, I can assure you, I will never stop thanking this great country for taking me and my family in over 40 years ago. Just because I am proud of my Cuban heritage, doesn't mean I'm not equally as proud of what I consider my country - the USA. I still get choked up when I sing the National Anthem. (yeah..I know..I'm getting old ;-))

[Siouxie]

kristie, my condolences to you and your family. Please thank your brothers on my behalf. You must be so proud of them and of your grandparents - and so are we.

Brian, knowing what it is not to have all the freedoms some people take for granted, I can assure you, I will never stop thanking this great country for taking me and my family in over 40 years ago. Just because I am proud of my Cuban heritage, doesn't mean I'm not equally as proud of what I consider my country - the USA. I still get choked up when I sing the National Anthem. (yeah..I know..I'm getting old ;-))

[nursecindy]

Siouxie I also get choked up when I sing the National Anthem. However, the most choked up I think I ever got was when we were flying back to the U.S after living overseas for 2 years. I looked out of the plane window and saw the California coast and my entire family choked up and yes, we cried like babies because we were home. I thought of America The Beautiful. That song still chokes me up. Kristie, my heartfelt condolences to you. God bless people like your Grandmother for what they have done and for everyone else who has sacrificed so much.

[O the U(manity)]

(Not to out-post ron ... but ... )

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

We remember not only the troops of our USofA, but also those who served other countries in time of war, and all our families that have gone before ... Remember, folks ... our past and how we honor it is what defines us as a people ...

["froodlives"]

Siouxie, every Memorial Day weekend I plan the whole three days around watching my collection of war DVDs- from the American Revolution to present day in remembrance of the citizen soldiers all. I just watched "Rough Riders" yesterday, and pray for the day when it will once again "be in America's best interest" to join the Cuban people in their fight against the tyranny and despotism they face. I pray your family, your friends, and your neighbors take back their own, and establish their freedom, their liberty, as they choose to govern themselves. May my meager prayers mingle with yours for that day...

[Schoolmarm]

In case there's anyone who still has dry eyes at this point, look here

[Cat R]

Schoolmarm, thank you -- that was beautiful.

Thank you to all who serve, have served, and have family members who have and are serving in our armed forces.

Here on this blog we have varied and lively political opinions and world views... but I think we can all agree that we honor and hold our service men and women in the highest regard, and we all want nothing more than for them to come home as soon as possible, healthy and strong. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The kittens and I were planning to decorate veterans' graves with little flags at the cemetery as we have done for a few years in a row now, but after three stores Saturday and Sunday, were unable to find any that were not sold out. We were disappointed, but I hope that means that many others had the same idea, so maybe that is a good thing.

We will personally honor the memory of my late dad who served in the Army during the Korean War, and of my great uncle who served in the Navy in the South Pacific during World War II.

I used to be shy to go up to a military man or woman when I saw one in public, but not any more. I make a point to cross a room, or a sidewalk, or a street, and shake a hand and say thank you. It's one way I can let them know what most Americans feel but are too reserved to say.

So.... THANK YOU!!!!

["frodolives"]

Well, I had TRIED to dry my eyes before clicking that link, Schoolmarm, unsuccessfully, but... that is a beautiful tribute, so thank you! "All gave some," and if it hasn't been said enough,... (no, wait, that's wrong...) I KNOW it hasn't been said enough, even with all the fine tributes given on this blog... God Bless those of you who have served, and those of you who will! And God Bless the families of those who have, or will, serve. Your sacrifices are also mourned, and never forgotten in the prayers of this humble heart.

[NotSoShyJan]

My cousin just compiled a huge scrapbook detailing our parents cousin life. He died at 19 in Germany in WW II. I didn't know, but the US decided that no US soldier would be permanently buried in Germany, so after the war was over they were all transferred to Holland. A family there adopted my great-cousins grave until he was moved back to New York at his final resting ground. We have all the letters from his friends and the people in Holland and it is a precious piece of family memories. He was an only son destined to be a priest after the war.

Salutes to all veterans. Although I didn't serve, I did my part.

[nursecindy]

That was a very heartwarming story Jan. Thanks for sharing it.

[Meanie the Blue]

Jan, in addition to thanking your parent's cousin and those who adopted his grave, be thankful for the cousin who made the scrapbook. So much of the past is lost for lack of understanding of the importance of capturing the stories, both triumphant and tragic, and celebrating the lives of the many ordinary people who do extraordinary things without anyone ever knowing.

The world needs to be told about them, and those who do so do us all a great service.

[cosanostradamus]

.
Never forget the sacrifices made by soldiers on all sides. Otherwise, these hypocritical "holidays" will go on forever.

Click the link to find your family's heroes' gravesites.

Support the troops, everybody: Bring them all home safe, now.
.

[cosanostradamus]

.
Never forget the sacrifices made by soldiers on all sides. Otherwise, these hypocritical "holidays" will go on forever.

Click the link to find your family's heroes' gravesites.

Support the troops, everybody: Bring them all home safe, now.
.

[cowprintrabbit]

NC, After living abroad for 1 year, with 1-2 left to go, I was at a choral performance where they ended the show with a giant American flag being unfurled behind the performers, who were in different uniforms, Civil War-present, singing God Bless America. I cried...

[nursecindy]

cowprintrabbit, I would have cried too. It's a difficult thing to explain,to be in a foreign country and to miss America so much. Even with all the bad things that happen here, the crazy politicians we've had to put up with, and all the other 'warts', it's still home and we are so blessed to be here where we are free. In my family we've kept records of all the soldiers and they stretch back to the Revolutionary War. I'm very proud of that fact but on the other hand I worry that the women of my family are so difficult to get along with that all the men are eager to leave and go to war.