About Memorial Day

Thank you to all who have served and are serving.

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
George Orwell
 
To darn many friends of mine didn't come back from Vietnam. My thoughts are with their families today and almost everyday. My great Garndpa was in WW1, may dad and many Uncles in WWll, a couple in Korea, Vietnam was my turn. I did not encourage my kids to get into Desert storm, to many bad memories connected with SE Asia, some of us won't forget what our country did in that one. A dark: moment in this country that I love so much.:grumpy: My thanks to those who have and will serve.
 
udtjim said:
To darn many friends of mine didn't come back from Vietnam. My thoughts are with their families today and almost everyday. My great Garndpa was in WW1, may dad and many Uncles in WWll, a couple in Korea, Vietnam was my turn. I did not encourage my kids to get into Desert storm, to many bad memories connected with SE Asia, some of us won't forget what our country did in that one. A dark: moment in this country that I love so much.:grumpy: My thanks to those who have and will serve.
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Memorial Day is to honor all those who served, and especially those who didn't make it back. It's to honor you, too, for your service in Vietnam.

Until I got one too many owies, I was a career Marine, like my father. When I was first sent to Vietnam, I went because that was my job, and I believed we were there to help those people. We can look back with perfect hindsight and realize that Vietnam was a mess that shouldn't have happened, but that doesn't negate the service of those who were there. We can't pick our wars, unfortunately, so we go where we're sent by our country. I lost friends there too and, like you, I mourn their loss. On Memorial Day, I get to honor them.

Yes, wars suck big-time, and Vietnam was a sh**hole, but the American troops who were there were serving honorably. Thanks for what you did for all of us.
 
My heart felt thanks to all the brave souls that put their country before their own safety. I will pray for all those(past, present, and future) that protect us, may God bless you, and yours that fought behind you. This holiday is in memory of those that gave their life for the country they love, and God bless their families for their sacrifice and suffering.
 
I think your Memorial Day is somewhat similar in concept to our ANZAC Day.

A time when everyone should stop for a moment and think about the people who bought them their freedom, often with their lives.

From this side of the pond, a personal thank you to the American heroes who fought alongside our navy and saved my country from a very uncertain future in the Coral Sea battles.

Lest we forget.
 
gajinoz said:
I think your Memorial Day is somewhat similar in concept to our ANZAC Day.

A time when everyone should stop for a moment and think about the people who bought them their freedom, often with their lives.

From this side of the pond, a personal thank you to the American heroes who fought alongside our navy and saved my country from a very uncertain future in the Coral Sea battles.

Lest we forget.
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Yes, it's pretty much the same thing, with a different name, but both holidays are in remembrance of those who gave their lives for their countries. We should thank you, too. Your lot has fought alongside us in every war since the First World War. Thank you for your kind thoughts.
 
dawsonbob. You are of course right, the results of that mess had nothing to do with the troops, We went where we were sent, partially because thats what our fathers did. I always wanted to join the Navy, as a kid I saw a picture on my Grand parents wall Of my Uncle at Pearl Harbor I lost two Uncles at the Battle of Coral Sea. My dad was in he Army Engineers. My other Uncle was a Marine in Korea.
 
udtjim,

We didn't go over there to do evil, we went to do good. Now all we can do is remember the ones who fought alongside us. May they rest in peace.

You bring up an interesting point about wanting to do that because that's what out fathers did. I was a Marine brat, and grew up with stories of the Corps and service to America all around me. My Dad and I didn't get along very well, unfortunately, and for a long time I didn't want to follow in his footsteps; I didn't want to Join the Corps; I didn't want a commission; I didn't want to go fight in some Godforsaken foreign place: you can guess what happened. What we learn growing up has a strong, strong influence on our behavior. There were things I didn't like, but there's not one single thing I regret.

Happy Memorial Day.

PS: You know, we might have chewed some of the same mud, don't you?
 
To all who have served, you have my deepest respect and admiration.
Thank you all!!!
 
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udtjim said:
dawsonbob. You are of course right, the results of that mess had nothing to do with the troops, We went where we were sent, partially because thats what our fathers did. I always wanted to join the Navy, as a kid I saw a picture on my Grand parents wall Of my Uncle at Pearl Harbor I lost two Uncles at the Battle of Coral Sea. My dad was in he Army Engineers. My other Uncle was a Marine in Korea.
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My hat's off two you udtjim:thumbup: Every generation has its heroes, and you're one of them in my eyes. The young kids I see today are mostly good, but have not idea how fortunate they are to have America so fully supportive and behind them despite the diverse political opinions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Time to get back to work:mad: We line-hauled 170+ pieces of equipment yesterday and need to finish up another 20 this morning. I also have four troopers flying to Afghanistan this weekend, so continue to salute their sacrifices...and for those that have served, remember the ones that never made it back; don't forget those that have returned with the scars of war and celebrate the freedom and liberty you defended. It's not about the war, it's about the brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers we have served with, fought with, bled with and is some cases share their last moments with...

ROCK6
 
I originally wasn't going to post in this thread, but after reading it I feel I must.
Thank you to all that have served. Especially those that served during Vietnam and to those friends that I have lost.
Being a career Soldier myself, I am often ashamed when I walk down the street or am in a airport and people come up to me and say thank you. I have deployed three times during my career and feel that my sacrifices pale in comparison with those that served and fought in Vietnam and then came back to being ridiculed and spit on by the same people that enjoyed the same freedoms that were protected by those that served.
I cant speak for any Marines, Seamen, or Airmen out there, but as far as Soldiers go, we have an easy job. We go wherever we are told to without regard to the fickle political policies which govern us. We have it easy because those that served before us did so with honor, and it is truly an honor to serve.

Happy Memorial Day!
 
dawsonbob, Yes we probably did.:thumbup:

It is good to see that so many here do do realize what This day is all about, to honor those who served and died for their country. It is also, in My mind, a time to spend with family and friend to enjoy what those sacrifices yielded. Nothing wrong with a BBQ and a day at the beach as long as people know WHY they can enjoy it. It is a good time to honor those people who worked hard and did the right thing to keep the country growing and moving doing the war years, Moms had it tough too.:)

I was born shortly after my dad shipped off to war and I was almost four when we saw each other for the first time. We didn't get along very well for many years. Somehow, while I was in the military, my dad wised up a lot, I can't believe how much HE learned while I was in boot camp.;) After he died I realized how happy I would be to turn out to be even half the man that he was.

Thanks to all for the kind words. Enjoy the weekend. We are taking off for a short vacation on Tuesday, just after everyone else goes home. Fishing/Camping trip.
 
udtjim said:
dawsonbob, Yes we probably did.:thumbup:

It is good to see that so many here do do realize what This day is all about, to honor those who served and died for their country. It is also, in My mind, a time to spend with family and friend to enjoy what those sacrifices yielded. Nothing wrong with a BBQ and a day at the beach as long as people know WHY they can enjoy it. It is a good time to honor those people who worked hard and did the right thing to keep the country growing and moving doing the war years, Moms had it tough too.:)

I was born shortly after my dad shipped off to war and I was almost four when we saw each other for the first time. We didn't get along very well for many years. Somehow, while I was in the military, my dad wised up a lot, I can't believe how much HE learned while I was in boot camp.;) After he died I realized how happy I would be to turn out to be even half the man that he was.

Thanks to all for the kind words. Enjoy the weekend. We are taking off for a short vacation on Tuesday, just after everyone else goes home. Fishing/Camping trip.
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:thumbup: Thumbs up to all of that. It took me awhile to realize that I wouldn't make a pimple on my old man's a**. Once I did, though, maybe it was a start.

Enjoy the weekend, and have fun on the trip, too.
 
milani74 said:
I originally wasn't going to post in this thread, but after reading it I feel I must.
Thank you to all that have served. Especially those that served during Vietnam and to those friends that I have lost.
Being a career Soldier myself, I am often ashamed when I walk down the street or am in a airport and people come up to me and say thank you. I have deployed three times during my career and feel that my sacrifices pale in comparison with those that served and fought in Vietnam and then came back to being ridiculed and spit on by the same people that enjoyed the same freedoms that were protected by those that served.
I cant speak for any Marines, Seamen, or Airmen out there, but as far as Soldiers go, we have an easy job. We go wherever we are told to without regard to the fickle political policies which govern us. We have it easy because those that served before us did so with honor, and it is truly an honor to serve.

Happy Memorial Day!
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And thank you for your service and professionalism. We who served have always gone where we were sent. They thank you now, and that's as it should be. Coming back from Vietnam we were reviled -- but that was okay, too, because we could just smile inside that they had the right to do that, even if they didn't understand it. It's those of you still serving who are continuing to insure those freedoms, and we thank you for the sacrifices that you continue to make. No war is good, but some must be fought. No one ever comes back from combat the same as when they went: it's nasty. But I don't know that Vietnam was any nastier in its time than what you are going through now. I have always liked this line from Kipling, which I think says a lot: "And the measure of our torment is the measure of our youth. God help us, for we knew the worst too young!"

Thanks for what you do, and Have a good Memorial Day.
 
Thank you.

No matter what issues people have with various wars, those who have and are serving deserve respect for their willingness and courage to do good at great risk.

Have a great Memorial Day all.
 
milani74 said:
I originally wasn't going to post in this thread, but after reading it I feel I must.
Thank you to all that have served. Especially those that served during Vietnam and to those friends that I have lost.
Being a career Soldier myself, I am often ashamed when I walk down the street or am in a airport and people come up to me and say thank you. I have deployed three times during my career and feel that my sacrifices pale in comparison with those that served and fought in Vietnam and then came back to being ridiculed and spit on by the same people that enjoyed the same freedoms that were protected by those that served.
I cant speak for any Marines, Seamen, or Airmen out there, but as far as Soldiers go, we have an easy job. We go wherever we are told to without regard to the fickle political policies which govern us. We have it easy because those that served before us did so with honor, and it is truly an honor to serve.

Happy Memorial Day!
Click to expand...
Thank you for your service. It is time that a change has taken place in this country. When I was in the Marines we would wear our uniform home to get a cheaper price. Nam was on and people would spit at you. Thankful for the change. No regrets, miss the guys I met in all of the services.
 
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