please never forget our nation's finest

[durango95]

A year ago my friend was killed in action. He was young, recently married and on his fourth combat tour. He was brave, humble, and a special young man. He was killed by accident by a drone missle. We need more people like Jermey. I am posting a link to an article about my friend. I miss him and would give about all I have to spend an afternoon with such a great man. So the next time you want to post some drama, complain about how you got no showed, or if you were shorted or whatever, think about the brave young men and women that are giving you your freedom. Never forget, and please support our troops.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/04...arlington.html

[cookie man]

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.
I stopped by the National Cemetary in Grand Prairie Monday afternoon to visit my Dad's site. It was a beautiful sunny day and all you could hear in the background was the sound of maintenance workers and cars rushing by on the nearby highway.

There was a marine funeral in progress. I wondered what his or her story was. If you are ever near Keist and Loop 12 and have a few minutes to spare, stop by the National Cemetary. The road is lined with American flags and one giant flag flying at half mast. The perfectly manicured green grass has what seems like endless rows of dead service men and women's tombstones. There's a sidestreet with signs labeled A and B. They have numerous funderals there each day and your family lines up in the A or B section.

They are so busy that you have about 30 minutes to conduct your funeral and move on for the next family. It doesn't seem like a whole lot of time for those who have given the ultimate. At the end of the funeral a bugler plays Taps or there is a gun salute and the soldiers fold the American flag to give to the loved one. It's very haunting and you leave with a sense of pride.

So Durango you are right. After leaving the cemetary, the trivial bullshit that I fret over daily didn't seem like that big of a deal.

[hd]

Talk about numerous funerals everyday, two months ago my brother made arrangements for my dad's (WWII) internment at Arlington National Cemetery, it's set for the end of June and is a fifteen minute ceremony, must be many for it to be scheduled 3 to 4 months out, but then it's his ashes and not a casket, so that may make a difference?

Unfortunate they're disappearing so quickly as are members of the current conflicts.

[durango95]

Members of our armed forces that are in harms way dont have a choice how they are going to spend their day. They cant look over a group of ladies they want to spend time with, they dont get to pick a movie or a restaurant that they would enjoy going to. They fight, bleed and die every day and they volunteered for this. I salute them and hope they can return home safe.

[cookie man]

I made a dumb typo in my earlier post. I meant to say they were having a Marine's funeral while I was there. Sorry.

[CoHorn]

Durango, I am truly sorry about your friend. Prayers to all the service members that protect our country. I have told my family that I want to be buried at Arlington and have all the necessary paperwork in an envelope ready to go. It was an honor to serve this great nation and I am sure your friend felt the same way.

[durango95]

My friend was a true hero, he kept wanting to go back to Iraq to not only be with his buddies but to defend our nation. I am afraid we are going to be in places like Afghanistan for many years to come.