Memorial Day 2011

[oldbreed]

Many Americans think Memorial Day is the start of Summer, a few think that it's about those who have served or are currently serving in the military. To be honest, I hate those who think it's about those that have served or are currently serving, this holiday is about those who paid the ultimate price and gave their lives for our country. I especially hate the stupid fucks that email me, text me or call and say: Happy Memorial Day.

Those that I mourn, that have sacrificed their lives for this great country of ours, I will remember you always and never forget the impact you made on my life. I'm richer in character, spirit and a better man for having known you.


THEODORE O'HARA:

"BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD"


The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo;
No more on life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.
On Fame's eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And Glory guards, with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.
No rumor of the foe's advance
Now swells upon the wind;
Nor troubled thought at midnight haunts
Of loved ones left behind;
No vision of the morrow's strife
The warrior's dream alarms;
No braying horn nor screaming fife
At dawn shall call to arms.
Their shriveled swords are red with rust,
Their plumed heads are bowed,
Their haughty banner, trailed in dust,
Is now their martial shroud.
And plenteous funeral tears have washed
The red stains from each brow,
And the proud forms, by battle gashed
Are free from anguish now.
The neighing troop, the flashing blade,
The bugle's stirring blast,
The charge, the dreadful cannonade,
The din and shout, are past;
Nor war's wild note nor glory's peal
Shall thrill with fierce delight
Those breasts that nevermore may feel
The rapture of the fight.
Like the fierce northern hurricane
That sweeps the great plateau,
Flushed with the triumph yet to gain,
Came down the serried foe,
Who heard the thunder of the fray
Break o'er the field beneath,
Knew well the watchword of that day
Was "Victory or death!"
Long had the doubtful conflict raged
O'er all that stricken plain,
For never fiercer fight had waged
The vengeful blood of Spain;
And still the storm of battle blew,
Still swelled the gory tide;
Not long, our stout old chieftain knew,
Such odds his strength could bide.
Twas in that hour his stern command
Called to a martyr's grave
The flower of his beloved land,
The nation's flag to save.
By rivers of their father's gore
His first-born laurels grew,
And well he deemed the sons would pour
Their lives for glory too.
For many a mother's breath has swept
O'er Angostura's plain --
And long the pitying sky has wept
Above its moldered slain.
The raven's scream, or eagle's flight,
Or shepherd's pensive lay,
Alone awakes each sullen height
That frowned o'er that dread fray.
Sons of the Dark and Bloody Ground
Ye must not slumber there,
Where stranger steps and tongues resound
Along the heedless air.
Your own proud land's heroic soil
Shall be your fitter grave;
She claims from war his richest spoil --
The ashes of her brave.
Thus 'neath their parent turf they rest,
Far from the gory field,
Borne to a Spartan mother's breast
On many a bloody shield;
The sunshine of their native sky
Smiles sadly on them here,
And kindred eyes and hearts watch by
The heroes sepulcher.
Rest on embalmed and sainted dead!
Dear as the blood ye gave;
No impious footstep shall here tread
The herbage of your grave;
Nor shall your glory be forgot
While fame her records keeps,
Or Honor points the hallowed spot
Where Valor proudly sleeps.
Yon marble minstrel's voiceless stone
In deathless song shall tell,
When many a vanquished ago has flown,
The story how ye fell;
Nor wreck, nor change, nor winter's blight,
Nor Time's remorseless doom,
Shall dim one ray of glory's light
That gilds your deathless tomb.

[Hot to Trot Daphne]

[tyboy1]

Thanks for reminding us of the true meaning of Memorial Day.

[LexusLover]

What a difference 50 years can make.

[Wakeup]

Halfway down the trail to Hell,
In a shady meadow green
Are the Souls of all dead troopers camped,
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddlers' Green.

Marching past, straight through to Hell
The Infantry are seen.
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddlers' Green.

Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene.
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddlers' Green.

And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers' Green.


Scouts out...

[ness]

I'm not much for mourning but I do remember and honor those that died in service.

I'll go take another look at my great great grand uncle's Confederate hymn book and his orders this Monday. That's how I remember and honor the origional meaning of Decoration Day. It always reminds me that no enemy in any conflict or war has inflicted such a price in American blood than what we did to ourselves in our Civil War.

[Aidan MacKenna]

Old Breed and To All Others Who Have Served:

I personally believe that you gave a piece of your life you can never get back and for that we are all truly grateful.

My dad gave a huge chunk of his life and his psyche in the Vietnam Conflict. Somewhere, somehow a piece of him died along with the many friends he fought beside that did not make it home.

For that, all who served (or who are currently serving) should be memorialized.

I'm just saying... Thank you

[1bubba1]

My eyes tear thinking about the price of freedom and the men who have served this great nation. My uncles served in WW2 and I which they were still here to talk to.
If you get the chance, say thanks to the men in uniform

[LexusLover]

Originally Posted by AidanMacKenna

My dad gave a huge chunk of his life and his psyche in the Vietnam Conflict. Somewhere, somehow a piece of him died along with the many friends he fought beside that did not make it home.

For those who lived, we cherish the living of those who did not come home, and those who came home unable to cope with their reception.

McKenna, "coming home" today is much different than "coming home" 40 years ago. For that I am grateful; but it can be painful to remember.

[DEAR_JOHN]

I never served. I graduated high school in the early 70's and my draft number was really high. I also attended college, so I would have missed Nam. (my father was a WWII vet for fought in the Battle of the Bulge)

A couple of years ago my wife and I vacationed in Washington DC. Since we were there, we visited the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials.

Close by was the wall of the deceased Nam soldiers.

I never knew anybody close to me who died in Nam, so even though I had respect for those who's name was on the wall, it didn't have much affect on me. Right at the end of the wall, there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers with a ribbon across stating, "to our beloved son"

Lower lip quivering and tears gathering in my eyes, I walked away.

[LexusLover]

Originally Posted by DEAR_JOHN

Close by was the wall of the deceased Nam soldiers...Lower lip quivering and tears gathering in my eyes, I walked away.

The wall that is missing is the one for those who were there before "we" were supposed to be there; for those who were there, but were not supposed to be there; and for those who were left behind to leave on their own. God bless their souls.

[bbkid]

I, too, had a very high draft number when I graduated high school and went to college instead of going into the armed forces and possibly Nam. Lost a cousin over there and still remember my guilt when we buried him. D_J, that wall will, indeed, bring a tear to one's eyes.

[Guest040616]

Originally Posted by DEAR_JOHN

Close by was the wall of the deceased Nam soldiers.............Lower lip quivering and tears gathering in my eyes, I walked away.

I am not ashamed to admit that The Wall brings tears to my eyes everytime I visit. I have heard more than one Vietnam Vet say that The Wall is the one place where they can truly find a little closure.There is an awful lot of truth in that statement. I have many friends and acquaintances whose name is on The Wall. A few I went to school with and many more who I served with. RIP to each and everyone of you!

While on the subject of Memorial Day, I want to briefly mention my (departed) Mom's older brother who died in WW II. She always took a few special moments to remember him on Memorial Day. RIP Uncle Bill!

[Guest073114]

I am overwhelmed reading this thread....... My grandfather was in the Navy and served through WW II. I just went and looked at his uniform again. So thankful for reading this.

xoxo

[LexusLover]

When I was born my Dad was a Gunny, ....

.... and when I went to his funeral he was still a Gunny.

And in between he was my DI.