Memorial Day

“I would like to ask everyone to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This is a great country where the liberals, conservatives, and everyone in between can enjoy the freedom to live life as they see fit.

Sometimes we forget how high a price others have paid for our liberty. Lets remember them this weekend.”

“Thanks for the reminder, bacpac! I've been visiting my local national cemetery lately (going to write a story about it) and was blown away by the history of the place and how far back (1800 or so) people were giving their lives for what they believed in. The markers for the unknown soldiers are particularly moving...and to see confederate and union lying side by side touches the spirit...regardless of the final outcome, each died for his belief about our nation. We enjoy the fruits of their labors.”

“You are right, bacpac, most of us have no idea. The closest I've been to war is the History Channel. Do you have any suggestions for a worthy remembrance? I know there is a parade in town. Any other ideas?”

“DEAD CATS
DEAD RATS
DID YOU SEE WHERE THEY WERE AT?”

“If anyone is in DeRidder, LA this memorial day, my platoon will be rendering honors as a part of the DAV's Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony. Come on out and shake the hand of one of these vets and thank them.”

“As a Vietnam Vet, I just want to thank you guys for the thoughts. Memorial Day for me tends to stir up some uncomfortable memories. This year I'm heading for a big Veteran's rally with some of my friends here in Central New York.

Sgt Rock, thanks for serving. Thanks for standing between our country and its enemies.”

“Many thanks to all of you here, who have served.”

“Thank you Boonierat”

“I salute you guys (and gals).”

“I would like to offer an appology to all my fellow servicemen and women who I have offended in previous posts. Being a full time a**hole is not very hard. I will try harder to be a part time a**hole.

As an American I stand shoulder to shoulder with you guys and gals.

I appologize and regret my inappropriate comments.”

“Hey Boonierat, my stepfather is a Viet. Vet. He is a MTer, but he served w/ a man from Poughkeepsie that he has been trying to get in touch w/ for yrs. I have had no luck doing net searches for him. Do you think you could help? I know you said central NY and I have no idea where Poughkeepsie is in relation, but let me know.”

“Hey bacpac, it's all good. No matter what the service, we all have basically the same mission. I know at Air Assault School there were other services and we gave each other lots of crap.

But when you went out the door - every one takes care of each other regardless of branch.”

“bacpac... Thanks for your thoughtfulness in starting this thread.

Thanks also for the nice people who've shared their personal thoughts and feelings here.

I too am grateful for those who died to preserve the freedoms I so often take for granted.

Don't want to step on anyone's parade, but with all due respect, please keep in mind that Memorial Day (celebrated in honor of U.S. armed services personnel who were killed in wartime), is not the same as Veterans' Day (celebrated in honor of all those, living and dead, who served with the U.S. armed forces - particularly in wartime).


Pax,

M Silver
AF11989512
1969-1972”

“A big salute from me to all our soldiers out there.”

“I salute all you veterans!! Thank you for your service to our country.

If you haven't seen it, here is a memorial to my uncle (WWII Paratrooper, MIA)”

“Amen, Mr.bacpac!”

“Great site, Phil. Sorry that your uncle was killed. It is very sad to think about all the people who died while serving in the country's military. Not only do military personnel risk their lives, but they give so much of their lives to training and being prepared physically. They often spend many years dealing with horrible memories that the rest of us can't even imagine, because they survived where others didn't. I have trouble thinking of a fitting way to give tribute because my ideas seem shallow. But I do honor these people, those who died and those who survived. And I honor those who supported those who served, with medical skills, piloting skills and scientific skills. Lynn.”

“Great thread Bacpac! Its strange to compare an American Memorial day (beer,barbeque sales at department stores) to an Isreali one (majority of businesses closed, mourning,prayer and true thanks).

To all of those who have served and are serving, I thank you. It is sad that as each year passes we lose more of the WWII generation. There is so much we can learn from them and their experience.

God Bless this Nation and its soldiers!”

“Thumbs up yall!”

“I visit a military cemetary in Discover Park where I live in WA. I look at the grave stones of people I don't know, and am blown away by the people that gave their life for my (everyones) freedom. Of course some of the military buried there survived the wars and died of old age or disease, but it's all the same.

Thank you to every service person here on tt who can hear my thanks for your service to keeping a free America & to the service people that are killed in training missions.”

“I just got back from watching "Pearl Harbor". It wasn't that great, but it got me thinking again about out greatest generation.

My father is not a veteran, but he grew up in Belgium under Nazi occupation. He lost two brothers in that war and lived for 5 of his first 7 years 20 yards from the local German headquarters.

After the war, he and the rest of the immediate family got on a ship and crossed the Atlantic. They stepped into New Jersey without knowing any English.

My dad and his brother started a business and were able to raise wonderful and strong American families.

I would not be here without the sacrifices made during that war. And I stand in awe of the epic journey made by the people of my father's generation.”

“RL, soooo does that mean you can get me a good deal on Belgium chocolates, lol?

Bravo to your family!”

“What a country.

Belgium is famous for chocolates and beer. And frites (French Fries) are a national dish.

And, in the middle of Brussels, the most famous national monument is a statue of a small, peeing child that gets dressed up in all kinds of outlandish costumes.

It's nice to see a country that doesn't really take itself that seriously. But America is pretty okay, too.”

“What was that King's name...the Belgian one? Who decided he wanted his own country with out parliamentary restrictions. It was called The Belgian Congo . It wasnt all that long ago either,about 40 years. I bet the 2-3 million he had killed felt that HE took himself a bit too seriously. Not trying to be a prick. Its just amazing how cruel we can be and how short our memories are.”

“Young&Creaky- A very worthy experience is a visit to Arlington National Cemetary in Virginia--if you go, don't miss the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier. Washington D.C. in itself is quite the place. Everyone should hit the Vietnam Memorial at least once in their lifetime. There is also Iwo Jima (which is awesome) and Soooo much more.”

“To those who have gone before us, who laid down their lives, let me say thankyou.”

“Gratitude and Thanks. Freedom is what made the US. My desire is for the populace to lose the cancer of entitlement and discover the freedom giving/serving. What kind of legacy will your life produce?

Again, thanks for all those who defended America and put their lives on the line for what they believed in.”

“running girl, boy and I had a good experience yesterday. We were finishing up our day hike on the AT yesterday and there was an older fellow sitting on the wall next to the trail at Reed's Gap. We stopped to say hey for a minute and he asked if we could give him a ride back to his car. We said sure and while we were putting the day packs in the car I noticed his hat. It had a patch on the front that said WWII. I asked him if he was a vet and sure enough, he earned his hat. I thought to myself that it was interesting we would meet a WWII survivor on this weekend on the AT. He was from Germantown, MD and had just hiked about 5 miles of the AT. He said he has about 150 miles of trail done in each direction from his house, all in day hikes. "I don't like to camp" he said. Anyway, we chatted a bit more on the way, got to his car, he thanked us for the ride, I thanked him for his service and we went our seperate ways. More good luck for us.”

“reformed lurker, and let's not forget the Belgium Waffle! I buy waffles, toast them, and put ice cream in between them.

Where I live in west Seattle, there are these metal statues on the side of the road, and people always dress them up, sometimes very elabortately.”

“Sorry, Hyper, the post was meant in fun. Belgium and its royal family definitely have some things to answer for. I believe that during WWII the king didn't leave the country - opening questions somewhat like those concerning Vichy France.

I'm not quite sure how to respond to your post. Can we remember the good things that have come from America without mentioning slavery and Japanese internment? Sure. Can we mention the funny aspects of Belgian "culture" without mentioning bad kings? Yup.

But enough of that. I've got a plate of fries and a mug of beer that just demand my attention.”

“I got back from my weekend in the wilderness and had the following email message waiting for me. I left the first and last name of the sender off on purpose:

--------------------------------
26 May 01
Dear Phil,

First, let me introduce myself, I'm United States Air Force Major
"Shadow". I am currently stationed in southwestern Germany at Spangdahlem AB, Germany (very near the Belgium & Luxembourg borders). I am an F-16 fighter pilot by day, husband and father of four by night.

Tomorrow (27 May), I have the privilege of leading a 4-plane F-16 flyby over the "Wall of the Missing" at Margraten, Holland for the Memorial Day rememberance . With keeping with tradition, we will fly the "Missing Man" Formation to honor of those who did not return.

As I began preparing for the mission last week, I charged the other three flight members to bring a story from any U.S. conflict to tomorrow's flight briefing in order to make the mission more personal for all of us. Tonight, while looking up information concerning Margraten, I happened upon your web site that honors the memory of your uncle, SSgt David "Rosie" Rosenkrantz.

Your tribute to your uncle is moving and captivating. His memory is alive thanks to you. Having fought in both Desert Storm and Allied Force several years ago over Yugoslavia, I can assure you that the best tribute that a war-fighter can hope for when leaving for battle is to be remembered by those he or she may never see again. You have kept the faith....I thank you.

Tomorrow, when I go into the squadron to brief the mission, "Rosie" Rosenkrantz story will be retold. Although the flyby is for all those who have fallen in service to their country in the Netherlands, our
flight will carry a special dedication to "Rosie" and the men of the 504th.

Thank you for making this Memorial Day more meaningful. The other members of tomorrow's flight will be: 1Lt Jesse "Schultz" Winters, Major Jim "Dibbs" Dibble, and Captain Drew "Drag'n" Wiles.

Major "Shadow"
23 Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem AB, GE
-----------------------------

Needless to say, this blew me away!

My thanks to all those who served our country.”

“This is my great, great uncle. I'm not sure about now, but as of two years ago, he used to volunteer at the nursing home to help with the "old people."

WWI”

“tommy - That's cool!”

“To all Americans who have served, are serving, or will ever serve, your craft is the most noble. You protect your country and our way of life. You are prepared to or did make the ulitmate sacrifice to protect the freedom of the citizens of America. I salute all of you.”

“I just received this. It is food for thought:

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.

Let's remember them on Memorial Day, May 28th.”

“Very nice, Phil. I like that one.”

“tommy, thanks for sharing, 106, wow.

Phil, That truly was amazing that you recieved that e-mail, and I loved your "writing" about freedom.”

“Phil, The Shadow story was pretty cool.”

“Reformed, my apologies for my less than cordial response regarding the Belgians (their king actually).No excuses to be offered...”

“For all those who made the supreme sacrifice, I shall ever be thankful.

Today is a day of reflection. I will fondly think of my first backpacking trip, with my brother.

Robert David Brockman, KIA, 15 JUN 1968

To all the men of the Delta Raiders, 2/501, 101st Airborne Division, thanks.”

“Thank you to all who served and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

“Happy Memorial Day! If you see a veteran or armed services member today, be sure to thank them for their service and all the sacrifices they made for you.”

“Or just stop by your local National Cemetary and reflect upon the loss made by so many for us all.”