Memorial Day -- Remember The Fallen

[dellet]

There is a lot of responsibility on those of us here, to insure that the meaning of Memorial Day is understood and remembered. Memorialized. A recent talk made this very clear to me.

Speaking with some one who had recently lost a parent, touched me as I recently lost my mother. First year for both of us, so with Mother’s Day behind, fathers day approaching, the talk was about all those “firsts without” a loved one.

As the talk turned to giving back as part of the healing process, how and when, what might be appropriate became the subject. Since Memorial Day is approaching handing out flowers to random people was on the table, then refined to watching for folks with some sort of Veterans ID, hat, shirt, bumper sticker.

At this point I distinguished the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. One for the living, one for those who gave all. Here I introduced the meaning of the Gold Star. It was something she had not heard the meaning of before.

So if you’re a Gold Star mom, or family member who is proudly displaying that star this weekend or any other day at home, wearing a pin, flying a flag or whatever, and some random person walks up and hands you some flowers, or you find them on your porch, it’s because in some small way they understand.

I also will be on the lookout for Gold Star pins and flags this weekend, flowers in hand.

 

[Cecil S.]

Thank you to all Vets. You are the back bone of this country!

 

[ronsatspokane]

Well said!

 

[GotRDid]

 

[ISS]

I'm one of those who served in Vietnam, along with my older brother. Six months in the 23rd Inf, Americal together.
We have one of the longest traditions of service in our family. On my Father's (WWII 82nd Airborne, Normandy in a glider) side. Germany was Prussia back in 1815, and half Lutheran half Catholic. The family heritage states that the Catholics were outbreeding them, so 6-times Great-grandfather's family and neighbors sold their farms and businesses, bought a ship, loaded it with good to sell in America, and sailed here in 1815. They went south to New Orleans. The War of 1812 was ending, but the Americans and British were still fighting there. General (later President) Jackson sent soldiers to the dock and offered them a deal.

Join the US Army for the battle, and receive $3.50, a musket they could keep, and immediate US Citizenship for them and their immediate family on the ship. The families initially declined, saying that they were not soldiers or trained in arms. They were then offered option B. "Get back on your ships and return to Prussia...". They decided to fight, and the US won the battle. Most of the group poled up the Mississippi River and settled in Missouri and Illinois. I was born in Cape Girardeau, MO, and grew up in Southern Illinois near St Louis.

I would probably still be there, but in 1978 my Army Ranger Company held a reunion in Idaho. I decided to return to Illinois, finish my last semester of College and emigrate to Idaho. Sold my EXE, bought a Ford 4WD pickup and moved here to SW Idaho. Been here ever since. God's Country.

I must have done well, made Sgt E-5, have a CIB and Air Medal with several clusters from six man Ranger teams doing all our traveling in Hueys. I hope I'm not bragging, a lot of y'all would have done the same thing if called.

I enlisted, we have never had to be called...

God Bless This Country!


ISS

 

[Retired shooter]

Amen to all the comments above.

Old Glory is flying, and looking beautiful in the Kansas breeze this morning.

 

[nmkid]

I'm one of those who served in Vietnam, along with my older brother. Six months in the 23rd Inf, Americal together.
We have one of the longest traditions of service in our family. On my Father's (WWII 82nd Airborne, Normandy in a glider) side. Germany was Prussia back in 1815, and half Lutheran half Catholic. The family heritage states that the Catholics were outbreeding them, so 6-times Great-grandfather's family and neighbors sold their farms and businesses, bought a ship, loaded it with good to sell in America, and sailed here in 1815. They went south to New Orleans. The War of 1812 was ending, but the Americans and British were still fighting there. General (later President) Jackson sent soldiers to the dock and offered them a deal.

Join the US Army for the battle, and receive $3.50, a musket they could keep, and immediate US Citizenship for them and their immediate family on the ship. The families initially declined, saying that they were not soldiers or trained in arms. They were then offered option B. "Get back on your ships and return to Prussia...". They decided to fight, and the US won the battle. Most of the group poled up the Mississippi River and settled in Missouri and Illinois. I was born in Cape Girardeau, MO, and grew up in Southern Illinois near St Louis.

I would probably still be there, but in 1978 my Army Ranger Company held a reunion in Idaho. I decided to return to Illinois, finish my last semester of College and emigrate to Idaho. Sold my EXE, bought a Ford 4WD pickup and moved here to SW Idaho. Been here ever since. God's Country.

I must have done well, made Sgt E-5, have a CIB and Air Medal with several clusters from six man Ranger teams doing all our traveling in Hueys. I hope I'm not bragging, a lot of y'all would have done the same thing if called.

I enlisted, we have never had to be called...

God Bless This Country!


ISS

Great family history.

 

[nmkid]

This past Spring we attended a ceremony at the "wall". Finally, and I don't know why my grandson came up to me, put his arms around me, and said, "You guys did good Grandpa". Tomorrow I will step outside and make a toast to my Vietnam friends who didn't make it back. I will spill some on the ground and take a drink for them.

 

[Kalitrazescapee]

This is a solom day, remembering those who didn't come home. I have a friend who rides a 1945 Indian military chief,and he has a wall with those in his company who didn't come home from nam, and it was many,

 

[D Coots]

Future Patriots

 

[Cecil S.]

Future Patriots View attachment 1558224View attachment 1558223

Great pictures.

 

[D Coots]

Rodeo boys respecting the flag of our great Country. That why I like rodeos, nobody takes a knee, no fags, no disrespect to this Great Country. No men in barrel racing, ect....

WE ALL KNOW WHAT THE LEFT STANDS FOR AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MEMORIAL DAY IS ABOUT.

 

[Thud]

 

[rebs]

May all our fallen Hero's RIP in the arms of our Lord and Savior. May our Lord give comfort to their families.

 

[swd]

In memory of all that gave the ultimate sacrifice to make and keep us free for the last 249 years.

 

[brad6ppc]

Thank you for your service and sacrifices. It's because of those that gave that we can yet enjoy another Memorial Day with the ones we love.

 

[Cecil S.]

MEMORIAL DAY , should be in the roots of every American! Remember those who gave it all for us to live free.