Happy Memorial Day weekend

[tchostler]

Fly The Flag.

[mj48]

Thanks to all Veterans. Memorial Day is special...a day of rememberance and contemplation.

[69charger]

Originally Posted by tchostler

Fly The Flag.

Mine. Right now.
Dave

[Dave Waits]

d, great collection of 1911 filmdom. BTW, your last photo.'Standing Guard' has been my desktop for the last five months.

[dsk]

Originally Posted by Diamondcactus

It should not be just one day we remember but everyday. Please feel free to use my photos for a wallpaper for you computer, phones, but for God sake please don't forget.

I visited Arlington Cemetary once, and it was really difficult for me to keep a dry eye. That "choked up" feeling welled up inside me everywhere I went. But what bothered me more was the fact that the two ladies I was with acted like they were incredibly bored. Their interest increased when we got to JFK's gravesite, but clearly to them it was more of a tourist attraction than anything else. Some people will never understand, and I actually feel sorry for them.

[DANCESWITHGUNS]

I had the privledge and honor today of meeting a real live hero.

My son forgot to wear his work shoes and I brought them to his workplace (Mcdonalds). A very old man with hearing aids and walker was trying to get through the vestibule. I naturally held the door open for the aged man, when he thanked me I noticed he was wearing a Navy ship ball cap.

I thanked the man for his service to our country and he replied "you're very welcome... it was the best time of my life! Pearl harbor 41-42". I was floored! How often and rare is it to meet these special souls? The old vet went on to tell me what group and ship he was assigned to but I was in total awe, with no recollection of detail

I certainly hope to run into this hero again to get it straight from someone who was actually there (if he cares to share his experiences).

Truly the best generation without a doubt. Thank you to all my fellow vet's and God bless the fallen.

[markbob45]

We owe our freedom to the brave men and women who serve our country.
Thank You.

[blksn955.o]

Thanks to who have served and prayers to those who have not made it home safely.

[USMM guy]

Some things will never be forgotten.

[USMM guy]

" In the gathering darkness off Flamborough Head, England. Bonhomme Richard (Captain John Paul Jones) engaged engaged HMS Serapis in one of history's most celebrated naval battles. On board Bonhomme Richard two of her old 18 pounder cannon burst on the first firing killing many of the gunners. The ships grappled, and lashed bow to stern with gun muzzles touching they pounded each other for two hours of unremitting fury. Flames ran unchecked through Bonhomme Richard, all but three guns were silenced, and water rushed in through her shattered hull. Yet the indomitable Jones, when asked if he had surrendered, hurled back his immortal reply: " I have not yet begun to fight"
Sharpshooting Marines and sailors in Bonhomme Richard's tops cleared the enemy's decks. A grenade through a hatch caused a devastating explosion. Serapis's mainmast began to tremble. Captain Pearson struck.
Courage and an unconquerable spirit had earned John Paul Jones a stunning victory which was the genesis of some of the finest traditions of the U.S. Navy."

From the archives of the Naval History Division of the department of the Navy, Washington DC

[master gunner]

Well as long as we’re doing poems:

The Last of the Light Brigade

There were thirty million English who talked of England's might,
There were twenty broken troopers who lacked a bed for the night.
They had neither food nor money, they had neither service nor trade;
They were only shiftless soldiers, the last of the Light Brigade.

They felt that life was fleeting; they knew not that art was long,
That though they were dying of famine, they lived in deathless song.
They asked for a little money to keep the wolf from the door;
And the thirty million English sent twenty pounds and four !

They laid their heads together that were scarred and lined and grey;
Keen were the Russian sabres, but want was keener than they;
And an old Troop-Sergeant muttered, "Let us go to the man who writes
The things on Balaclava the kiddies at school recites."

They went without bands or colours, a regiment ten-file strong,
To look for the Master-singer who had crowned them all in his song;
And, waiting his servant's order, by the garden gate they stayed,
A desolate little cluster, the last of the Light Brigade.

They strove to stand to attention, to straighen the toil-bowed back;
They drilled on an empty stomach, the loose-knit files fell slack;
With stooping of weary shoulders, in garments tattered and frayed,
They shambled into his presence, the last of the Light Brigade.

The old Troop-Sergeant was spokesman, and "Beggin' your pardon," he said,
"You wrote o' the Light Brigade, sir. Here's all that isn't dead.
An' it's all come true what you wrote, sir, regardin' the mouth of hell;
For we're all of us nigh to the workhouse, an' we thought we'd call an' tell.

"No, thank you, we don't want food, sir; but couldn't you take an' write
A sort of 'to be continued' and 'see next page' o' the fight?
We think that someone has blundered, an' couldn't you tell 'em how?
You wrote we were heroes once, sir. Please, write we are starving now."

The poor little army departed, limping and lean and forlorn.
And the heart of the Master-singer grew hot with "the scorn of scorn."
And he wrote for them wonderful verses that swept the land like flame,
Till the fatted souls of the English were scourged with the thing called Shame.

O thirty million English that babble of England's might,
Behold there are twenty heroes who lack their food to-night;
Our children's children are lisping to "honour the charge they made - "
And we leave to the streets and the workhouse the charge of the Light Brigade!

[Det. Charlie]

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.

Amen.

[medalguy]

Amen. Always good to read again.

Thank you to all those who gave all, and thank you to all those who gave some.

U S A F 1966 - 1983 Msgt

[RandyP]

Memorial Day - All who served gave some, some gave all. Rest in peace my brothers and sisters in arms. You are not forgotten.

[Coltitis]

Thanks Dad, you were a better man than I ever will be. I miss you.

[monadh]

Dad, it's been 36 years, and I still miss you. You were gone more than you were home, and you finally only came home to die.

I think about what little I know of your service and what you did for this country, but I know very well how the politicians are doing the best they can to dismantle the country you fought for by passing laws that erode liberty. And no one holds them accountable.

Remember? For me, every day is Memorial Day.

[Dead Eye Mark]

Happy Memorial Day- That's kind of a odd statement on such a somber day.

Thanks to all of you who serve, have served, and especially those who gave all for our awesome country.

You are NOT forgotten!