Memorial Day 2016

[Eagle]

I'd like to wish all of you a safe Memorial Day and a safe holiday weekend.

Note that I didn't include "happy." Not that I don't want you to enjoy a holiday with your friends and family, but please take at least a few minutes to reflect on what Memorial Day is -- the one day in the year that the United States has set aside specifically to remember and to honor those who gave their lives to help keep the world free of tyranny and oppression. Not veterans -- we have our own day, later in the year. Memorial Day is for those who went to war, and who didn't make it home.





Peace.

[jimoshel]

AMEN

[rmoore1031]

Thanks for this post. It's a huge pet peeve of mine about how America handles this particular holiday. For most it's a day off, with time to hang outside, and go shopping. Every year the holiday seems of more importance as I think about those it is for. I think about the guys in my unit that were KIA. I just checked the weather and it shows 100% chance of rain for Monday :/ the parade in town here is a big deal, I go anytime I can.

 

Remember this quote too: Only the dead I've seen the end of war.

[ComancheKid45]

:USAflag: All Gave Some, Some Gave All  :USAflag:

[cruiser54]

Pause to remember…

Barbecues, picnics, and holiday events,
Fireworks, flags, bunting on the fence.
Families gather, friends hoist a glass,
Do they pause to remember events from the past?

Do they see in their minds a grassy expanse,
With white marble stones and flags that dance
In the wind that caresses the names engraved
On the stones that mark every single grave?

Row upon row they stand in formation
To honor those who defended our nation.
They battles are done, the fighting is over,
Their resting place covered in green grass and clover.

It’s so peaceful there, the sounds of war done,
The only reminder is the sound of the guns,
That fire a salute to the ones who lie there;
A tribute of honor to show that we care.

Did I stop to count the blessings I’ve got?
The cost of the freedom that these souls have bought
With the price of their lives, the supreme sacrifice,
So that I could live in a country this nice?

I’ve vowed to remember with thoughts and tears
Those who are laid to rest every year,
Lost in wars and conflicts and “limited engagements”
I’ll honor them; I’ve made that commitment. 

When you see the flags that are flying today
Will you please think about pausing a moment to pray
And give thanks to our veterans, living and gone
To honor their sacrifice and all that they’ve done?

Terry 
1LT, US Army
5/26/14

[HOrnbrod]

:USAflag:  Land of the Free Because of the Brave  :USAflag:

[Incommando]

A touching reminder

[cruiser54]

A touching reminder

Yes. That was written by my brother. Thanks.

[64 Cheyenne]

Thank you