Memorial Day

[30A Skunkape]

I wanted to start an apolitical thread on Memorial Day for everyone to share their thoughts on how much they appreciate our troops. If you want to bash them, question any war past or present, please pick from the ample buffet in the other threads and unleash your venom there.

I was never in the military, but my Dad was. He was in the Air Force and actually was in a plane crash that he walked away from;one guy on board was killed (no, Dad wasn't the pilot!). So, I don't know the name of the man who was killed, but I hope his memory is kept alive today. The only other family member I know for certain in the US military was a gent in the Pennsylvania militia who fought in the civil war. His diary survives in New York and documents participation in numerous skirmishes and general hardships of military life in the 19th century. I suspect the other side of my family supplied manpower to the Louisiana Confederate cause, but I don't have any proof of that.

And if it were not for Punz, there is a very real chance that I would be preparing to deploy to someplace other than SOWAL as a Navy physician. I really wanted to join the Naval Reserve as an intern but she was cool on that idea.

So, in honor of all our troops today and for all the blood, sweat and tears they have shed for us, I say THANK YOU!

 

[InletBchDweller]

I appreciate them for what they have laid their life out to do. Everytime we see a man or woman in uniform we tell them thank you. I hope that the men and women who have died for our cause will be remembered today. God Bless Them

Mr. IBD and I were talking last night on the reason he joined years ago. It was a family thing but he did not regret it whatsoever. Hearing the stories from his survival school, driving on the desert at night in the gulf war, stealing weapons, camp life, camp food, etc. He said at some points times were tough but worth every bit of it for the good ole' USA!!!

 

[Jennifer Steele]

When I was in Kansas for my grandmother's funeral two weeks ago I went through boxes of old photographs of my grandparents.

I came across about a dozen photos from WWII. My grandfather served in the 105th infantry. I don't know if he took the photos or just acquired them, but they were so graphic and terrible that at first I couldn't look at them.

Then I became intrigued. It was the first time I had seen real dead bodies and war devastation that wasn't cinematic or televised. As a civilian it is difficult for me to comprehend the horror that soldiers in war face, and seeing these photos made me appreciate how so many from WWII came back and led "normal" lives without discussing what they endured.

My grandfather had never talked about his service in the war with his children or grandchildren. So it made me understand him better and admire his courage.

 

[GoodWitch58]

I'd just like to add a big thank you to the spouses and children, and parents of all the troops...their's is a burden unlike any other.

For until you've watched your loved one turn for one last wave before he or she boards the bus that will take them to the plane or ship....well, there are no words.

Our country owes all those family member a debt of gratitude as well.

Thank you, all.

 

[steele mama]

I was watching the Memorial Day Concert in DC last night and was very moved by the stories. One may who was in WWII had written down his story for his daughter. The short of it was he was shot down, taken as a POW. His faith and the thought of his wife at home kept him going. Germany surrendered he finally was released from Hell and went home to find that he was presummed dead and his wife remarried and was expecting a baby. He was devastated of course but in time moved on and went on several other missions, remarried and had a daughter, Carrie. He and his daughter were both in the audience and stood up on stage together. I cried!

My dad was a Marine pilot in WWII and Korea. He flew the Corsair off aircraft carrier in the Pacific. Amazing! He retired a Colonel after several years in reserve duty. I am very proud of him and all the Veterans!

 

[Bob]

My flag is out to honor those who served and sacrificed greatly. My heart goes out to those on active duty now. I have several family members buried at Arlington.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I've had several family members die, fighting in the Civil War, and my Grandfather died while serving for the US Army during WWII. My hats off to all the men and women who have died, serving our country, so that we may live freely.

 

[seacrestkristi]

Amen, brothers and sisters
Happy Memorial Day! THANK YOU SOLDIERS!!! ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

 

[gatordave]

Y ALL WHO HAVE AND ARE SERVING. mY GRANDFATHER WAS KILLED IN CIVIL WAR. sPENT 5 YEARS TRYING TO FIND BURIAL PLACE. fOUND IT NEAR rICHMOND vA AND HAD GRAVE MARKED. hE WAS MISTAKENLY LISTED AS A UNION SOLDIER . tHE uNION GRAVEMARKERS WROTE ME AND SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE HIM IN THEIR ROLLS BUT WOULD MARK HIS GRAVE EVERY MEMORIAL DAY AND THEY HAVE DONE SO FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

 

[Mango]

Glad you started this thread Skunky.

My FIL served during WWII in the Navy on several different ships.
He doesn't speak much about it, but he keeps several photo albums in the living room with pictures and articles about the ships he served on.

To all those who lost family or friends so that we could keep our civil liberties and freedom, my thoughts are with you today.