Pausing On Memorial Day To Remember.

Jerry Busse

Jerry Busse

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As Jennifer and I were enroute to Home Depot in Toledo today we decided to take the back roads in order to avoid the traffic and to avoid killing anyone in a violent road rage. . . . sorry, I'm not good around large groups of people. We stopped at a 4-way stop which sits next to an old, remote cemetery that has less than 10 stones total. It is always well kept as it is a small family plot. Those are still allowed in Ohio and it is not uncommon to pass several of them on our way to town. As we approached, we saw a small gathering of elderly gentleman holding an American flag and standing at attention while one of them played taps.

Now I don't know what it is about that tune coming from a trumpet that just rips through you, but there is no denying that it does. As we paused at the stop for a moment we couldn't help but be torn by the flood of emotion that is brought on by a scene like that.

There is nothing that I can say here that all of you don't already know. It is important to honor those who served, who sacrificed, and to remember the many whose lives were changed forever by the loss of a family member or friend who died defending our freedoms.

Jerry and Jennifer
 
It would be hard to say it any better than that, and I'm glad to know I'm in the company of people who feel that way!
 
Damn near brought a tear to my eye Jerry.

Well said and I agree, those paragraphs could not have been written any better.
 
Well said Jerry. God bless the warriors... fallen as well as standing. Taps has a special significance for me (as does Memorial Day) because I have said farewell to good friends during the playing of that song on more than one occasion. A while back, Idaho Skunk sent me an e-mail with the history and lyrics (both previously unknown to me) of Taps. Since the subject came up... the lyrics are below. Happy Memeorial Day.
--------------------------------------

... Day is done

... Gone the sun

... From the lakes
... >From the hills

... From the sky

... All is well

... Safely rest

... God is nigh


... Fading light

... Dims the sight

... And a star

... Gems the sky
... Gleaming bright
... From afar

... Drawing nigh

... Falls the night



... Thanks and praise

... For our days

... Neath the sun

... Neath the stars
... Neath the sky

... As we go

... This we know

... God is nigh
 
Fitting words indeed. Great bunch of guys here, and glad you let me hang out with ya... Always puts a lump in my throat when I hear Taps played...

-Mark
 
I am reminded of the scene in "From Here To Eternity" when Montgomery Cliff (role of Pruitt?) played "taps" and Burt Lancaster's silent reaction.

I used to rewind the video and play it over and over again. The bugle notes capture the moment in a haunting way.

A guaranteed choke-up is to hear taps played at Arlington National Cemetary in the presence of an Honor Guard and a flag drapped casket.

Enough said here.
 
Hear Hear!

Huzzah!

Only thing that can invoke emotion like that is to hear it on the bagpipes. Something about those two instruments.

Makes me proud to be an instructor with almost 20 years of experience, teaching the young and old alike their newly chosen profession. Teaching them what they need to know in order to survive on the battlefield and in garrison.

Ed
2/100th Military Police Bn
 
A moment to reflect on the sacrifices of the men and women who have given of their lives, blood and sweat for this great nation of ours...past,present and future.
 
My Father was a Marine in Korea at the Frozen Chosin resevoir, and was shot twice. I am always thanking him for his sacrifices, so that I may be here today.
 
Danbo,

I read the book. The Marines and your Father went through some really tough times. God bless him.
 
My father too was a Korean vet.

My wife Nancy and I spent some time yesterday at his grave, and too reflected on the number of flag marked graves, each indicative of a vet.

I wondered about how many of them were for men who didn't make it back to enjoy the freedoms they were fighting for.

We also wondered how many of them were for now forgotten men and women whose names but not contributions have been lost to time.

Yes, taps can stir emotions so very strong, especially after hearing it played at a loved ones funeral. And I have to wholeheartedly agree about the bagpipes, especially playing "Amazing Grace" graveside.

If you didn't yesterday, go soon, and take a minute to say thanks to any one of the people who fought so we could enjoy our lives.

Mike
 
Its sad to think that soon these WWII vets won't be around much longer. I often wonder who will tell there stories? I know there are books and video, but there is nothing like hearing it from the mouth of a Veteran who has been there.

We can only get a small understanding of what those Soilders, men, women, and families went through. But for me it is enough. That is how I try to unserstand thier sacrifices and makes me appreciate My life and what freedoms they gave us.

So many people don't know and take for granted. Its kind of sad. I try to spread the word though.
 
This memorial day has meant more to me than those in the past. It's not that I was indifferent before, my father served in Vietnam, and I grew up an Army brat, but while I was appreciative when I'd hear the stories, from him and from others, I always regarded them as, well, stories.

Do NOT get me wrong here, I didn't think he/they were lying, it was just before my time, and not having seen any of it for myself it played in my mind more like an action movie than real life. Right before I left for Afghan last year, when I was visiting him, he pulled out a huge box of slides, showing me pictures of his firebases, the area around, and these friends and fellows of his that I've heard stories about since before I can remember. I couldn't believe how much different it was when faces were connected to the stories. There were also a couple of pictures of him there, and seeing him so young, (looking like my twin in some shots) and surrounded by jungle one thought kept running through my head: "My God, it all really happened."

I've wanted to thank him but have never come up with anything to say that I liked the sound of. Even now, I don't really understand what he went through. Some fighting that we did was intense, but it was also over very quickly. I am completely in awe of those who saw America through the old wars for years at a time. God bless them all, He's certainly blessed us with them.
 
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