GAW: Memorial Day 2015 **WINNERS**

Thanks for the GAW and for your service, Mike. If this has to be an entry then so be it.

My Grandad served in WW1 in France, my dad in WW2 in the South Pacific and I did my time in the USAF during the Vietnam War (never made it in country though).

One family member I know of went to war and didn't make it back. My Great-Uncle Johnny made the ultimate sacrifice on the beaches at Normandy. God bless him and all those that never had the chances we have. We are all in their debt.
 
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Thank You for your service. Veterans like you make America great everyday.
Not an entry. Good Luck everyone!!!
 
Not an entry, but thanks for the remembrance of those who were lost.

My father was with the 88th Infantry in WWII.
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After VE.
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"Lee was part of the 88th Infantry Division that arrived in Italy in early 1944 with 14,000 men who fought valiantly against the Germans in muddy, hilly terrain and in cold, wet weather. In the end, after 344 days of combat, the 88th Infantry Division lost 2,298 men killed in action, and 9,225 men were wounded. Lee was seriously wounded and was awarded a Purple Heart."
 
Thanks for the GAW, Mike. I'm in.

My grandfather served as a battlefield mortician in WWII in Germany. He went in after the battles and identified the deceased and cleaned up as good as they were able. Not the most pleasant job I can think of.
My father served in communications during Vietnam.
I ran the motorpool for a Field Artillery battery.
My cousin is currently stationed at Fort Riley.
Thankfully, none of us has given our life. My cousin is the one that I think of most during Memorial and Veterans Days. He is the quintessential soldier. His first station was at Arlington National Cemetery leading the caisson for the funerals of fallen officers. During that time he'd also have to pull duty receiving fallen soldiers from their flights oversees. This was a very difficult assignment, especially for a first duty station. After that he really wanted to deploy, but they sent him to Drill Sergeant school and he performed that duty for two years. This was also difficult because he'd get reports of his privates that had been deployed and had died in service. He was so happy when his time was up and he got stationed at Fort Benning and got to deploy himself. He has a wife and three beautiful children and it takes a toll on all of them every time he has to go. However, it's a lot easier than being here and receiving fallen soldiers or second guessing himself every time a soldier he trained up falls. I have so much respect for that man because he spent four years of his life dealing with the death and consoling families and he still goes to protect us. He's been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan three times now, and he's coming up on a deployment to Africa in the next couple of months here.
 
Sgt. Jacob H. Demand
KIA 14 Sept 2004 in Mosul.

Demand and I did our 1st field problems together in 2/187 Infantry. I always remember that because him & the new SAW gunner forgot to shift fire and almost shot me during a nighttime bunker clearing exercise.

He was truly a good guy. I remember doing a Battalion Run while undergoing cancer treatments where I started to fall out. Demand was one of the guys urging me on saying "C'mon Doc run with us, you can do it." and stepping aside to make room for me in formation. I always remember what a sweet kid he was. We use to talk about baseball & fishing - he was big into both.

I got medically retired and he got transferred to Fort Lewis, and I sort of forgot all about him. Then in talking with another Army buddy he mentioned something about Demand being killed. He was actually just about to get out of the Army, but got put on stop-loss. From there he was sent back over for what turned out to be his last tour.

From what I understand, Sgt Demand died while providing covering fire for his squad during a ambush. He was assigned to 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry out of Ft. Lewis. His actions saved the life of their Interpreter, and he expended all his ammo in defense of his fellow soldiers.

I was blessed to know a Hero.

Till we form again.
 
I'm in. My grandpa served in WW2. He accidently got shot in the ear by Bumpus(yes Bumpus) in some friendly fire. He passed about 2 years ago. I tell ya, they don't make em like they used too.
 
SadSappySucker said:
I'm in. My grandpa served in WW2. He accidently got shot in the ear by Bumpus(yes Bumpus) in some friendly fire. He passed about 2 years ago. I tell ya, they don't make em like they used too.
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Friendly fire. The bane of combat. One of my guys shot our first Louie in the next tent while cleaning his .45 with round in the chamber.

Thanks to your grandpa. We're slowly losing our WWII vets.
 
This year it's already weighing heavy on me. I was/am a lifer. Think often of the young men who didn't get to come home, have a family, etc. Makes me think hard about if I am doing enough with my life now.

Lost a friend in 10th SFG to suicide and another who made it to retirement but did himself in with drugs soon after he got out.

Getting more jaded as I get older and roll it through my mind more; not sure what it was I did for a quarter of a century when the smoke all settles on it.
 
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I have not lost any family in while serving. My dad was in the Air Force around Vietnam He was not involved he was in Guam and Morrocco refueling planes. He used to tell me stories of sitting in the cockpit listening to ball games, eating in the markets of Morrocco meat on a stick, a buddy walked up and asked him if he knew what he was eating. It turns out it was dog but dad said it was good up until that point and couldn't eat any more.

He is no longer with us miss him and his stories. Thanks to all that serve.
Dave
 
Thank you for the chance. I haven't lost anyone in my family, but a close friend lost her husband in Afghanistan a few years ago. She's still mourning the loss. It's good to remember all the sacrifices that others have made for us all.
 
I'm in...Great looking knives

My self...505Pir...11B4P...RVN...68-70...AATW


My dad made all four combat in WWII...Drank himself to death






2Panther
 
I'm in. Thanks for your service Mike and for this thoughtful tribute and GAW. Freedom isn't free. Thanks to all the service members (and their families), and especially those who have sacirificed their lives "upon the altar of freedom"
 
My father's grandfather served in wwii against the Japanese as part of revolt group when they occupied the island of Taiwan and my father served in both the mandatory Taiwanese military and US military as medical corps officer. Luckily I've not lost any family or friends who've served and are still serving but I'm forever grateful and faithful to those who've served for us. The millennials of my generation don't seem to understand that aspect at times and I wish they did. I'm in.
 
I'm in.

A huge Memorial Day THANK YOU to all our soldiers -- those who have passed on, those who have served and those who are serving today.

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I'm in. Thank you for this and the stories in this thread. Thank you to all who have served.

Every Memorial we spend time with my Brother who spent a tough year taking Mosul and Ramadi in OIF only to see them go back to the enemy this year. It's been tough for him and his friends
 
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