To those who have served in our nations armed forces or,who have family members serving currently,THANK YOU.

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To those who have served in our nations armed forces or,who have family members serving currently,THANK YOU.

Very well said Eric.... And might I add "ditto"...

Ditto for THANK YOU. (also, maybe bring em all home? please?)

Memorial Day is for the remembrance of our men and women who have fought and died for our country and to protect our way of life.

Freedom isn't free, somebody paid for it!!! Their sacrifice should be remembered daily. God Bless the United States Military, our Allies, and other unsung heroes both here and abroad.

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From wikipedia:
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 30 in 2011). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.

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< Picture credit:
< Cox & Forkum Editorial Cartoons

From those of us who have served, make no mistake, to have done so is a privelege.

Not all are afforded the opportunity, so those of who have had it, service is a special commitment that none of us took lightly.

And none of us ever forget our brethren who are no longer with us to celebrate the victories they enabled.

I'll single out only one, my USNA roommate of 2 years, LCOL Robin F. (Rocky) Wirsching, USMC, deceased.

M. S. Keeney, CAPT (SW) USNR, (retd.) - 1960-1994

What Heroes Gave

by Roger Robicheau

Each donned their uniform to be
Defenders of our liberty

Their mission sure, their spirits bright
Guard freedom’s home, be brave to fight

One final day each faced their call
Each gave their best enduring all

We’ll never know what they went through
But know they loved this country true

Deep down inside we should all feel
What heroes gave, their cost so real

We must stay thankful, grateful of
The gift of freedom through their love

Their loved ones bore the gravest pain
What we can’t know, some now sustain

To God I pray their pain will cease
And each will find long-lasting peace

Remember this from year to year
What heroes gave – shan’t disappear

We’ll never let their special day
Their time for honor slip away

These brave fought for a nation free
If not for them, where would we be?

quote:

Corey and Cheri
What Heroes Gave

AMEN to that.
God bless our Services,
God bless America.

As we leave Memorial Day and its important reminders, here is a well-done tribute we can use to keep us mindful of these sacrifices throughout the next twelve months:



http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1

Lou

While watching a recent show about an Afghan battle that had a very bad outcome due to poor decisions made by people nowhere near the battle site, there was a comment that stuck in my mind. These men where fighting for each other, dieing for each other, giving up everything for each other. One might question whether we should be in these conflicts but you can never question the loyalty these men and women have to each other. They are brothers and sisters.
Jim

One of the most disappointing aspects of recent history is the blurring of the distinction between supporting the troops and supporting the cause.

In my mind the best way to support our troops is to respect them enough to only use them as a last resort. One thing for sure, old men start wars and young men always die, lots of em, and their mothers don't really care what color the flag was.

If you read the letters sent home by young soldiers from any war, serving any country, they are always the same. We can't seem to learn how to break the cycle.

The last thing I ever want is to have a soldier stop and think about whether the fight was worth the cause, either during the fight or for the rest of their life. They so deserve our respect and care, especially those who return and try to resume their normal lives. God bless them all.

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Originally posted by Steve VW:
One thing for sure, old men start wars and young men always die, lots of em.

A cynic recently observed that our recent wars are started by draft-dodgers for other mens' sons to fight.

I called him on it, and he rattled off the tremendously low percentage of vets in the administration, Congress and the Neocon advisors. Chicken Hawks, he called them. He also had the numbers on members of congress with sons in harm's way. I checked his facts, and he was right on.

This was an election or two ago, so I don't know if it still holds true.

As a vet with a wounded son, and a wounded grandfather, (my dad emerged unscathed) this thought always irks me.

First, thank you Bill and your family for your honorable service to the country. I believe that this nation has 2 national disgraces that are still outstanding: the lack of care for returning vets and the aftermath in New Orleans. Might add the fact that after 10 years and starting a war we still haven't got a memorial at the 9/11 site...

I hate to think it is true but the old men who control these also seem to get rich in the process. A sad tale.

Bill's cynic is very nearly correct, though changing demographics have had their effect. A smaller proportion of Americans served in Vietnam than the WW II/Korea generations, & the Vietnam vets are approaching retirement age. A smaller proportion still, serve in today's volunteer (professional? mercenary?) military.

I add the parenthetical questions because I'm disgusted that we have to rely on money & a poor economy to encourage people to serve, & I'm biased toward a requirement of some national service for every citizen. I've voluntarily worn the uniforms of three branches, with a retirement certificate from one that thanks me for, "more than 42 years of faithful service," 1/4 of it active duty. This, no doubt, is what generates my bias.