Identification tags representing the 16 EOD technicians who died in 2009 hang from a cross during a memorial ceremony at Al Faw Palace, Baghdad, May 1, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Roger Dey.
Posted on 05/31/2010 8:06:15 AM PDT by SandRat
TIKRIT – For many Americans, Memorial Day is just another government holiday – a day off from work or school – but for the families and friends of service members who died while serving their country, it's the day their fallen are honored.
For Capt. Simon Welte, commander of Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, out of Fort Riley, Kan., Memorial Day evokes deep emotion and deserves to be recognized by all Americans for what it represents and who it honors.
"When you sit down and think about where we are and where we came from, a lot of that is due to the veterans who gave their lives to serve this country [and] didn't get to enjoy those freedoms that they provided for other people," said the Augusta, Ky., native, who is currently on his second deployment to Iraq. "It is a hugely significant [holiday]; and if you take the time to sit back and think about it, I think you'd be hard-pressed not to find some emotions tied to that [day]."
Welte recalled the time he returned home from his first deployment. He remembered how even with people thanking him on Memorial Day and Veterans' Day for his service and sacrifice, he never really thought of himself as a veteran.
"It never really donned on me that at such a young age, at 24, that I was a veteran and had served my country," he said. "It's kind of humbling to think about. It [evokes] a lot of proud feelings and allows you to step back and put a lot of things into perspective."
Cambridge, Maine, native Sgt. William J. Coyle, an infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4IBCT, is currently on his third deployment and his second deployment to Iraq. He said that Memorial Day is one of the most important holidays because it embodies the sacrifices made by the ones who fought for our country's freedoms.
"It symbolizes the sacrifices of the people who have gone before me …," he said.
When I was a kid growing up, Memorial Day was a day set aside to remember all our dead, not just the military dead.
Since I come from generations of military men and women, it seemed only fitting to honor them first.
Now that I have a grandson serving, I feel the need to honor all the dead who have served this country in one capacity or another, all over the world.
But it is a glory to behold the honor given to our military members worldwide. And I thank God for their willingness to serve.
They are introducing this concept to the Iraqis and they are accepting this idea and participating along side of us when we honor and remember.
Yepper. Puts it all right there in front where it should be.
What a great job! Where I live, I run into a lot of people who believe the Lamestream media about how the war in Iraq was lost before it started and that no good has ever come out of it.
I trust you on a daily basis to give me the truth as it is, and not gloss it over with gloom and doom. When I’m done with explaining what our brave service members are doing to help the nation become self-sufficient, they look relieved and relaxed, and for that, I thank you for your vigilance and your dedication to this country.
Thank you again for all you have done and continue to do for America.
‘Face
No thanks necessary. I’m grateful for my freedom, and your posts underline how very fortunate we are to live in America.
*hug*
Leaving for Tahoma National Cemetery in an hour. Have a father and brother there.
A special video for your thread:
3 1/2 minutes: http://vimeo.com/5645171
VJ Day, Honolulu Hawaii, August 14, 1945
“65 Years Ago my Dad shot this film along Kalakaua Ave. in Waikiki capturing spontaneous celebrations that broke out upon first hearing news of the Japanese surrender. Kodachrome 16mm film....[in color]”[snip]
Happy Memorial Day everybody!
Check out what Matchett-PI added.
Sorry! I meant to ping you to my post #11 above:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2524623/posts?page=11#11
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
Thanks, I think it is too!
Beautiful!
Happy Memorial Day everyone!
I agree! Thank you.
What a wonderful glimpse of the past.
Here's the comment I made at the vimeo site...
WOW!
What a time in history.
Truly is/was the the Greatest Generation. Nothing against the men and women who now serve our country.
The apathy and political correctness of our society makes me wonder if our country would be willing (Iknow we are able) to stand against evil in the world today.
Thank you for a wonderful glimpse of an era that is gone but not forgotten.
Great video—thanks for posting it!
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