It's a cloudy, warm day here in SE Michigan, a good time to relax and consider many things. In our own ways, all of us here have served in various capacities in the support of our nation. Right or wrong, we have a place on this earth to be proud of. I won't get into the politics, we all have differing viewpoints. I'd like to thank all that have served our country in the military services for your support of our country. Personally, I did not enter the military, but I played key roles here in the USA at a difficult time in our country. Take the time, when you can to thank our military personnel. I know I've surprised and made happy several that I've met when I have thanked them. Let's enjoy this weekend.
I whole heartily agree that all that serve deserve our thanks and gratitude without reservations, but Memorial Day is for those that gave the ULTIMATE, their lives! God bless them all!
Nice post Vince. I have military background and can say that it was a pleasure working alongside your service personnel over here. I worked alongside them at a cruise missile base. Great guys.
Just opposite the Soldier's Monument, the marker for the Gettysburg Address, there is a small crescent of three rows of headstones. One is for a sailor, USN, Dec. 7, 1941. Another is for a soldier, USArmy, June 6, 1944. I took my children to see this when they were in high school, so they could understand the sacrificies. Later, we visited the Viet Nam Memorial and Arlington. I want them to know there is a real reason for Memorial Day, not just an excuse for a cook-out.
I was fortunate I finished high school during peacetime. It was shortly after Vietnam ended. But I come from a family of military veterans. A grandfather defended France against the Germans in WWI. My father served in the Pacific in WWII. Two uncles fought in Korea and another in Vietnam. Thankfully, all came back home well. But I sincerely appreciate all those who sacrificed so much.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Dry your eyes and quietly bear this pain with pride
For heaven shall remember the silent and the brave
And promise me they will never see, the fear within our eyes
(my eyes are closed)
We will give strength to those who still remain
So bury fear, for fate draws near
And hide the signs of pain
With noble acts, the bravest souls
Endure the heart's remains
Discard regret, that in this debt
A better world is made
That children of a newer day might remember
And avoid our fate
(I've waited all day in the pouring rain, but nobody came, no, nobody came)
And in the fury of this darkest hour
We will be your light
You've asked me for my sacrifice
And I am Winter born
Without denying, a faith is come
That I have never known
I hear the angels call my name
And I am Winter born
Hold your head up high-for there is no greater love
Think of the faces of the people you defend
(you defend)
And promise me, they will never see the tears within our eyes
(my eyes are closed)
Although we are men, with mortal sins, angels never cry
So bury fear, for fate draws near
And hide the signs of pain
With noble acts, the bravest souls
Endure the heart's remains
Discard regret, that in this debt
A better world is made
That children of a newer day might remember
And avoid our fate
And in the fury of this darkest hour
We will be your light
You've asked me for my sacrifice
And I am Winter born
Without denying, a faith in God
That I have never known
I hear the angels call my name
And I am Winter born
And in the fury of this darkest hour
I will be your light
A lifetime for this destiny
For I am Winter born
And in this moment..I will not run
It is my place to stand
We few shall carry hope
Within our bloodied hands
(bloodied hands)
And in our Dying, we're more alive-than we have ever been
I've lived for these few seconds
For I am Winter born
I wanted to say THANKS! to all the veterans reading this.
I saw one of my old friends in the paper in the last year had returned from Afghanistan. Hopefully all well. Although with 5 kids I know he's busy. I lost contact with him back a few years ago.
I once played paintball with him and a few of his national guard buddies. I never did upgrade my single shot pump action gun to the air rifles his buddies had. I still had fun playing. Then he got deployed.
VM, great post....Amen, Memorial Day remembrances to those before us who have served and especially to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice - so that we might enjoy many of the freedoms and benefits that we have today....
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I whole heartily agree that all that serve deserve our thanks and gratitude without reservations, but Memorial Day is for those that gave the ULTIMATE, their lives! God bless them all!
Perhaps the best thing ever posted on TUSCL.
thanks SuperDude
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
John McCrae
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds...and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of...wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
For heaven shall remember the silent and the brave
And promise me they will never see, the fear within our eyes
(my eyes are closed)
We will give strength to those who still remain
So bury fear, for fate draws near
And hide the signs of pain
With noble acts, the bravest souls
Endure the heart's remains
Discard regret, that in this debt
A better world is made
That children of a newer day might remember
And avoid our fate
(I've waited all day in the pouring rain, but nobody came, no, nobody came)
And in the fury of this darkest hour
We will be your light
You've asked me for my sacrifice
And I am Winter born
Without denying, a faith is come
That I have never known
I hear the angels call my name
And I am Winter born
Hold your head up high-for there is no greater love
Think of the faces of the people you defend
(you defend)
And promise me, they will never see the tears within our eyes
(my eyes are closed)
Although we are men, with mortal sins, angels never cry
So bury fear, for fate draws near
And hide the signs of pain
With noble acts, the bravest souls
Endure the heart's remains
Discard regret, that in this debt
A better world is made
That children of a newer day might remember
And avoid our fate
And in the fury of this darkest hour
We will be your light
You've asked me for my sacrifice
And I am Winter born
Without denying, a faith in God
That I have never known
I hear the angels call my name
And I am Winter born
And in the fury of this darkest hour
I will be your light
A lifetime for this destiny
For I am Winter born
And in this moment..I will not run
It is my place to stand
We few shall carry hope
Within our bloodied hands
(bloodied hands)
And in our Dying, we're more alive-than we have ever been
I've lived for these few seconds
For I am Winter born
Takuma Sato spins out on last lap of the Indy 500 while attempting to make a pass for the lead.
Payback's a bitch Sato
I saw one of my old friends in the paper in the last year had returned from Afghanistan. Hopefully all well. Although with 5 kids I know he's busy. I lost contact with him back a few years ago.
I once played paintball with him and a few of his national guard buddies. I never did upgrade my single shot pump action gun to the air rifles his buddies had. I still had fun playing. Then he got deployed.