Memorial Day

[CB]

Just want to thank any and all you guys who have served, or are serving, in the military, keeping us free. I never served myself, but I've been blessed to know quite a few vets and active military peeps. You are special people. I know, coz a friend of mine, Donna, who I worked with for a few years, served in the Air Force, loading planes, back in the late 80's, and then, in the reserves until 9-11, when she re-upped at age 41

She served 5 tours over in Iraq, starting out loading planes, but on her last 2 she was driving truck. She made it thru OK, but still has some problems on the 4th of July with all the booming fireworks. Now she's got a cake job driving the waste water truck at the mill where I used to work. Like I said, thanx that all you who serve are like Donna--###### good people --(this country could use a lot more). Have a good Memorial Day weekend, and may God bless all ya'll.

######'n

[Clay]

I just wanted to thank all the military personel before me, like George 53, who have paved the way for me and all the rest.

Thank you, without you guys we wouldnt be doing what we are dooing.

[george 53]

######'n The REAL people we should thank with all our hearts AREN'T HERE!!!.Those that made the ULTIMATE sacrifice.Those who made it home are just the lucky ones.We made it so those that did not can be Honored and Remembered.There is NO glory in war. there is only Death and destruction of lives,bodys and minds.thanking a Vet is nice, but give thanks in your Hearts and Mind to those who cannot be with their loved ones on this most humbleing day. They are ALL TRUELY OUR AMERICAN HEROES!!!! GOD BLESS THEM AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!

[george 53]

Thank you Sgt.Jones, My freind,I am truley not worthy.SEMPER FI!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest Gramps-xrds]

AMEN,

But We still need to acknowledge the young ppl serving now. especially in these times when no one wants to go over there or believes this war is pointless. I applaud all who are now serving.

[Clay]

Thank you Sgt.Jones, My freind,I am truley not worthy.SEMPER FI!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not Worthy? Did you not serve in a war? And you say not worthy, I praise all those who fought in previous wars and were lost and I praise all those who came back safe.

[evilone]

i may not support the war or the retard that put us there but i do support the troops

i remember all the buddies that graduated and went over there afterwards they asked me if i will be there and i said no way

i know what happens to people that go into war they never come out the way they went in

my grandpa went to nam and he will not talk about what he seen

we went to see the newest rambo movie and it bothered him badly i was shocked to see him still in the movie house when it was over

so cheers to all that is living and those who arnt

[george 53]

Thank you Clay, I did, and I still believe it was for my country and not the politicians,Thank you young MARINE,for giving so much of your life for our country and God Bless you and all our Brothers.SEMPER FI!!!!!!

[MR BIGGS]

I will be spending tomorrow with 1 of the greatest men in my life...My dad R.I.P. Albert G Vigil. He was a WWII Marine corp First Lieutenant, And served over seas in the war. He passed away on Sept 11 06 and is now laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery with full honors and was givin a 21 gun salute and a fly by. I had 3 uncles who went to vietnam and only 2 came back alive and a uncle who was CPO II 2nd class on the Coral Sea in the same War. I lost 2 good friend in the gulf war and 1 in the Irac war in 03. I support out troops, but not the War.................

Real Marines never die, they just fade away. SEMPER FI

[MR BIGGS]

A big thank you to all the VETS who gave their lives for our freedom.

[Biscuitbuilder]

A big thank you to all the VETS who gave their lives for our freedom.

BluesmanMark,

I don't think honoring the living veterans today in any way cheapens the original purpose of a day set aside to remember first, those who gave their lives in our Civil War (on both sides), and ultimately in all those who died in all this nation's wars. Truly, as President Lincoln spoke, "...they gave the last full measure of their devotion...".

While it is true that today is when the President of the United States, or his designated representative, places a wreath of honor at the tombs of the Unknown Soldiers at Arlington, this is also done on what was originally known as "Armistice Day" later to become "Veterans' Day" on November 11, the moment in time, at 11:11am, when the guns fell silent in France in 1918.

Both holidays have, by tradition, become days to remember both those who died for our country, and those who went and served, particularly those who faced the enemy--for they were there, wherever "there" was, prepared if need be, to sacrifice themselves for those of us here at home.

I once felt as you did, as a boy, a teenager, even a young adult. While I'd seen "The Longest Day" in the theater in 1962, it really didn't hit me until the 50th anniversary of that suspenseful and bloody June day, when it got to me--watching those old men there, on the bluffs overlooking Omaha Beach, that in such a very real way, they and their fallen buddies did what they did, THAT day, for a baby boy, way back in a place called Indiana, who had another 5 weeks to go before he'd get born--ME. They did what they did, whether they really wanted to be there or not, for not only the grownups back home, and the kids they left behind, sons, brothers, cousins, nephews; but for generations of kids yet born--that we might have a chance to grow up in a world better than the one they found themselves stuck in. Also, thus it was, I prefer to think, of those who gave their lives for the concept of this country, in the Revolutionary War, the battles with the Barbary Pirates, The War of 1812, The Mexican War, our War Between The States, the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, the Gulf War, and today in Iraq and Afganistan. Introspersed in those decades were the wars settling the West, and some unfortunate but then-considered-necessary incursions into Central America, which whether anyone of us today likes to even think of them, those events did help to shape this country we call home today.

Honoring the living veterans today is just as important, I believe, as placing the Flag on each and every grave of each and every American soldier, sailor, airman or marine--after all, living veterans of all those years are our direct link to those who died to make or keep us free. And, I suspect that their grief is just as important--while the dead were lost to their families and friends at home, so many veterans saw the loss of part of another family--their "band of brothers".

So today, I will softly and sincerely say, to any veteran I meet when I go to our local commemoration: "Thankyou for what you did, not just for your country, but for me."

So, whether your slogan is Semper Fi, Over Hill Over Dale, Anchors Aweigh, Off We Go, or Semper Paratus--Veterans, I honor and thank you, and to those who gave their lives without my being able to express my gratitude, God, please take care of each and every one of them!

Biscuitbuilder

[Clay]

My original post still stands, I appreciate all military personell from the latter years, whether you served in a war or just got everything ready to go to war, during peace time or during war. Whether you gave your life or not, you were still willing to give it in wartime. Whether you support the war or not, men and women are risking their life for us. Army, Air Force, Navy, or most important Marines (). We should stand by them.

I, along with every other service member, thank all of you who served before us, living and dead.

Thank you.

[lordairgtar]

Today, we went to a VFW Post for ceremonies to benefit the post's services to vets and currently serving personnel. An 84 year old vet was there and was telling me about the Omaha Beach landing he was part of. He had pics of the LST he was on. Pics of his mates as well. He was there to honor the memory of his comrades that did pay the ultimate sacrifice.

[m408]

My original post still stands, I appreciate all military personell from the latter years, whether you served in a war or just got everything ready to go to war, during peace time or during war. Whether you gave your life or not, you were still willing to give it in wartime. Whether you support the war or not, men and women are risking their life for us. Army, Air Force, Navy, or most important Marines (). We should stand by them.

I, along with every other service member, thank all of you who served before us, living and dead.

Thank you.

Clay,

I'm a Korea vet. USAF from 1951-1957. No, wasn't on the front lines with my life in danger. Was way back in the rear readying B-47s for whatever mission they were called on to perform. But I still think that I have helped keep our country safe and strong.

To me, memorial day is to remember those who never came home.

Veterans day is to honer all who have served.

Armed forces day is to thank all who are now serving.

My 17 year old grand daughter is a Lt. in her high school USMC ROTC. We have discussed the war in Iraq along with other world situations. Her comments were "Grandpa I'm ready to serve, whenever I'm needed, and wherever I'm needed". I couldn't be more proud.

To those who were less fortunate than me and never made it home, I'll remember and honer you. Not just on this day, but forever.

To those who served and made it back like me, well done.

To those who now serve, like Clay, thanks buddy for keeping us safe. God bless you all.

[The Modeling Hermit]

Thank goodness my son was able to choose the branch of service that he wanted, and chose the Navy. I got a letter of greetings and told that i was going to be in the Army. I spent my time struggling through a jungle before finally going to Washington and some sanity. Thanks for your recognition, and my thanks to all who have and are serving.

[crazyjim]

I thought this forum was just for model cars - and then I saw the Memorial Day messages. I served with the Marine Corps in Vietnam 1969-1970 and want to say thank you to all who relpied in a postive manner. Every year I travel to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC to say hello to my friends who came home in flag covered boxes. There are now 58, 260 names on The Wall - each one is my brother or sister. I WILL FORGET THEIR SACRIFICE! And thank you for not forgettine them either.