Memorial Day Thoughts

[unixshrk]

[CGSshorty]

That is a great picture. Every Memorial Day I think about my Grandfather, who was killed at Iwo Jima. I would have loved to meet him because I know he could have taught me plenty about being a man. He was a New York City firefighter with 4 children and he signed up for the Marine Corps even though he didn't have to. Sadly he never made it home but his sacrifice is not forgotten.

[SCM64]

Thanks to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

[moishlashen]

Yep-biked to our family cemetery on Sat to say hey to my WW2 and Korean War vet uncles buried there. I was pleasantly surprised to see there were a million flags a flying-including each branch of service and more people visiting then I'd ever seen before. There were even current military there walking around greeting people. It was pretty cool and nice to see others as enthusiastically thankful as I am about the matter.

[nishant]

An important day to reflect on the sacrifices made to secure and maintain the freedom of a nation ... I, of course, think of both American and Indian heroes !
Took these pictures yesterday @ Marion, VA ..

[AranaWhite]

Freedom Has Never Free. Thank You and
Respect To All Who Do and Have Servered.

[River Rat]

I served 22 year in the Navy and none of my unit's I served with were ever called into combat . But some time's we loose friends in military in peace due to accidents and other things overseas. I lost a good friend BM2 Kellywwod when our ship was in Olongapo Philippines he was murdered and found in shit river a sewage ditch so remember even when we serve in peace stuff can happen to our troops due to training accedents or being in the wrong place overseas. I took his duty that day when he was killed and I all ways wonder if I did not take his duty if he would be here today and he and his wife just had a baby the kid should be in his thirties today. That's my memorial day thoughts I think I will go to the USS Hornet Museum today.

[AtomicTom]

Can't really say it better than you guys really.

Will always remember, and respect the great men, and women that made the
country everything it is, and has been. Cannot ever thank them enough to be
honest.

[SRMKNIVES]

My father served,My brother and I served,My sister served and ultimately my mother served
I WILL NEVER FORGET.
This week I watched miles of thunder headed to DC for this day. Every time I see those bikes I get choked up and I am thankful that I live in the USA

peace

[Sidheguitarist]

Memorial day is always a bit personal for K and I, since we lost our best man from our wedding to an RPG-7 in Langham Province, Afghanistan back in 2008. Despite the name, our concern can't help but shift forward to those who currently serve. (yeah, I know we also have a day for that already).

[moishlashen]

Forgot I had this pic-Holiday flag from my first ship I "acquired" as I had the last quarterdeck watch before decommissioning ceremony . The ship gave the county it was named after a set of new flags for their museum.

[YOHOHO]

My family used to go to church and then the cemetery every Memorial Day to give thanks when I was back in Ks. I need to renew that tradition.

My grandfather was killed before knowing my Pops, and my wife's uncle was killed in Beruit. On another note, one of my buddies, who is a successful ER Dr, recently enlisted at age 37 and is now in Afghanistan.

Thanks to all that served! Truly means a lot.

Herman Deines
http://www.adoptiegraven-database.nl/in ... Itemid=132

Diomedes Quirante
http://navy.togetherweserved.com/usn/se ... &ID=336428

[jimyritz]

For me, today is one of thse days to spend with family and be thankful for the men and woman who have and continue to protect our country...


Mike

[1watchaholic]

Thank you to all have served…and who still serve this great land!

[matt.wu]

[93 Turbo]

I find these services Memorial/Anzac Day very reflective.

I'm lucky I came home given the stuff I've done over recent years. Many didn't.

I then drink beer for them.

[Dedalus]

Utmost respect to those who have served, and those that continue to.

[britewhite]

I reflect on how fortunate I am to have been born into this land that is protected by individuals willing to fight for the freedoms most people take for granted. My prayers are with the fallen, my thanks are with the serving and my pride is with our allies.
Thank you and happy Memorial Day!

[BSears]

I'm always reminded of my family members that served - especially my mom's brother that was shot down over Belgium (glider pilot). My mom's dad was in WWI, another brother in WWII, another brother in Korea, and my cousin served in Vietnam. I'm sure I missed a brother somewhere - she is the youngest of 11. Service was always a big deal in our family and I'll always regret not serving.

[H3rrington]

I never know how to respond when I'm thanked for my service. I really haven't done much. I've been blessed with a good job and benefits. It's taught me to grow up. And the pays not that bad.

But I do like to remind people that today is for those we've lost. And In true military fashion spend the day drinking to the memories of lost friends.

Today I remember Amn Walker.

And I thank everyone that came before me. And made that ultimate sacrifice.

[Nomadz]

Both my Grandfathers and my Father and then myself Served. My Paternal grandfather lost a leg to a morter at Ypres, spent three days in no mans Land during which he was stuck with a beyonet in the abdomen by a German patrol while he pretended to be dead. He was gassed with mustard gas. After three days a passing patrol decided he 'might' live so they evacuated him. His family were informed he was dead and were not told otherwise for six months. He was in field hospital in France almost a year. He then returned home with a tin leg a severe disability at the age of 18 years old. He eventally died of lung disease in his 40's due to the effects of the mustard gas. I still have his bible and a Priests Cross that was found around his almost naked and torn up body when he was evacuated. The mustard gas reacted with the brass in the priests cross around his neck and he had a green cross tattoo'd chemically to his skin the rest of his life.

Never forget those that went before.........He was in Flanders

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.

[NoCompromise]

Thanks for posting - heartbreaking picture.

[hazmatman]

I served, as did my father, most of my uncles, many of my cousins. All branches. WWI. WWII. Korea. Vietnam. Iraq. I luckily never had to fire a shot in anger, and never had one fired at me. We all made it home but one. My cousin Glen.

CPT Glen Adams was a standout soldier. A far better man than me. Started as enlisted, got picked up under bootstrap, and then ended up at West Point. His helicopter went down in heavy fog in Germany in 1989.

279754.jpg

While I was unable to make this weekend's Canadian invasion of the Big Apple, I did go downtown for Rolling Thunder XXVI. By some fluke, our group - an LE group, was sent out first. Probably a mistake, but we rolled out behind motors from many our our Fed, State, and Local partner agencies. It was a beautiful day. A good day to share memories about those we served with and lost. A day a lot of our brothers and sisters, and my cousin, would have enjoyed.




Our group and our escort.



After turning off Lincoln Memorial Circle, we had a short avenue before you turn onto Constitution and head down the Mall. There was a Soldier at one end of the median strip and a Marine at the other end at attention rendering salutes. Our group split on either side of the median. I returned that salute as sharply and as smartly as a 50 year old man can while controlling his bike with a pregant woman onboard. A very moving ride to say the least.


Media Photos.

We were a somewhat more "orderly" group since we were following our motor patrol units. No racing. No horns. Very solemn, although the crowds were pretty worked up.





With the wife 6+ months pregnant, I was happy she was willing to go along - and take the pictures you see above, but it was her first and very likely last ride of the season. I was very glad we could both participate and honor our fallen brothers and sisters.

Hope everyone had a good Memorial Day weekend!

My apologies if this is considered hijacking the thread by the OP. I thought it was an appropriate place to share.

[Expat]

Not from a service family. Was never even really a consideration where I went to high school. I came to my appreciation really late in life when I started training special forces. To "hang out" with these highly intelligent, motivated guys then really have it sink in that when I went back to my computer, they went out on a boat and shot pirates and then did the same thing only different every night for the next 6 months while I got pissed when my plane was late to go to nice hotel in some nice city....I think we are so disconnected from what they do its a crime. I'm at least somewhat "tuned in" now. Don't have an answer, but its good to think about it.

[unixshrk]

Thread jacking? Not at all