Remembering Memorial Day

[Guest030816]

Let's pause a moment to Remember Memorial Day.
As much as I'd like to wish you a "Happy" Memorial Day, I do wish you joy, surrounded by your family and friends, beer and barbeque.
I ask you to remember for a moment what this day truly represents. As we salute those who gave their lives to grant our freedom which we quite often take for granted.
What's that saying?
All gave some... Some gave all.
I want to thank those who have served in our armed forces, and to offer sympathy to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one who has served.
Be it at peace time, or turmoil, those who served our country have done us all a great service. That we can live our lives of freedom at their sacrifice is a debt we can never repay. But I do offer my thanks and my prayers that this day finds you all at peace.
Thanks again all you vets
Semper Fi

[pink taco]

Bless those who have given all, for those of us who have not.

[Fancyinheels]

Every male in my family has served since arriving in America.

Lost one of my cousins in Vietnam. He was 19. I was a wee girl, but I remember a lanky redheaded teenager with a goofy grin and a sunny disposition who used to hunt lizards with me in the California desert. He pretended they were dinosaurs for me. (We both loved cheesy sci fi prehistoric movies such as, "One Million Years B.C.," although I'm pretty sure he was watching Raquel Welch's bosom rise and fall.) I wasn't allowed to go to the funeral because the family thought I was too young, but I really wish I could have.

I often wonder about the man he would have grown up to be.

I try not to wish people "Happy Memorial Day," as it isn't, really. It should be an honored day. I just wish them a good holiday.

[GlobeSpotter]

Originally Posted by Fancyinheels

I often wonder about the man he would have grown up to be.

oh fancy. Prayers for him you and his family.

I'm sure not a day goes by the someone in his family doesn't think of him especially his parents if they are still alive.

Today and maybe other key dates like his birthday and day of passing are likely unbearably painful even after nearly 20 thousand days have passed.

[Fancyinheels]

Originally Posted by GlobeSpotter

oh fancy. Prayers for him you and his family.

I'm sure not a day goes by the someone in his family doesn't think of him especially his parents if they are still alive.

Today and maybe other key dates like his birthday and day of passing are likely unbearably painful even after nearly 20 thousand days have passed.

My age is catching up with me. Not many left on that side of my family, nobody who actually knew him but me now, I think. He was an only son, and his dad took it badly, began seriously drinking (and for an Irishman, we're talking incomprehensible amounts of liquor) and died a year later of, well, a self-inflicted injury. (Something I found out when I was older.) My aunt (a Canadian who had urged her son to run to her birth country, by the way, when he was drafted) wanted to forget the tragedy of her life, remarried, moved back to the frozen north, and we lost track of her. She's most likely long gone by now.

The causalities of war don't necessarily happen in battle.

I still think of cousin P.D. when I see the chihuahuas stalking the geckos. He'd have gotten a kick out of watching that, too. Probably would've helped them.

[GlobeSpotter]

He left a great man Fancy.

No more need to wonder.

[Guest030816]

Arlington Cemetery
It sends chills up and down my spine remembering, standing on a hill there. Grave markers as far as you can see, in every direction. The magnitude of the losses, the lives affected. Waters my eyes a bit... Very moving.



A neighbor down the street, about 5 yrs my senior died in Viet Nam. It was a horrible war that we were ill prepared for. We lost many young men because of it. He came from a large family and they pulled together and survived.
This day is in mourning and remembrance of those lives lost, but also in sympathy with those they left behind. Take a moment to give thanks for the sacrifice they made that we may continue to enjoy our freedom. And also pray and hope that they and theirs find peace enough to carry on.

[Mojojo]

Originally Posted by H.Hardhat

Arlington Cemetery
It sends chills up and down my spine remembering, standing on a hill there. Grave markers as far as you can see, in every direction. The magnitude of the losses, the lives affected. Waters my eyes a bit... Very moving.

Arlington brings a feeling upon you in which words can't convey. Whether you've served or not the feeling you get when you visit is just unreal and really makes you grateful.

[JustMeCLTXGG]

nice thread.

I'm grateful for all those in my family that made it through times of conflict and thankful to all that serve and have served.

sad to hear about your cousin Fancy.