Duty and Patriotism

Men's News Daily ^ | 05/27/2005 | Chris Davis

[writer33]

Happy Memorial Day weekend, Freepers and ping list!

[writer33]

Happy Memorial Day ping list!

[Soaring Feather]

Thanks for the ping writer. Bumping for a later read.

[Stellar Dendrite]

Thanks for the ping :)

[luvie]

Thank you writer!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
GOD BE WITH AND PROTECT OUR BRAVE TROOPS WHO SACRIFICE THEIR ALL FOR US!
I THANK YOU BRAVE SOLDIERS, EVERY ONE!

[speedy]

Thanks for another job well done, w33. And happy Memorial Day right back at you.

[Pete'sWife]

I spent this morning in Newburgh, NY with a friend and two veterans. One is 89 years old. He signed up on Dec. 8, 1941 and served as a navigator on a B-24 in the South Pacific. He came home in 1946.

The other gentleman served in Korea.

Four of us planted American Flags at gravesites at the local cemetery.

The number of newly interred WWII Veterans drove home the point that this most excellent generation of Americans is rapidly passing from the scene.

It frightened me, as well.

We represent the "act to follow," the feet for the too-large shoes.

We have a responsibility to carry on.

I pray to God we're up to the challenge.

[writer33]

You're welcome on the ping.

[writer33]

Thanks for reading, LW.

[writer33]

Thanks for the nice comments and reading it, speedy.

[writer33]

I pray to God we're up to the challenge.

We are up to the challenge. Thanks for reading.

[luvie]

It was a wonderful tribute to our soldiers, writer, and I could tell it was from the heart! No satire here! ;o)

[Stellar Dendrite]

Cheers, Have a great holiday!!!

[SpottedBeaver]

Thanks for all who have served.

And for all of those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice, thanks is not enough.

[razorback-bert]

In twenty campaigns, on a hundred battlefields, around a thousand campfires, I have witnessed that enduring fortitude, that patriotic self-abnegation, and that invincible determination which have carved his statue in the hearts of his people.

From one end of the world to the other, he has drained deep the chalice of courage. As I listened to those songs of the glee club, in memory's eye I could see those staggering columns of the First World War, bending under soggy packs on many a weary march, from dripping dusk to drizzling dawn, slogging ankle deep through mire of shell-pocked roads; to form grimly for the attack, blue-lipped, covered with sludge and mud, chilled by the wind and rain, driving home to their objective, and for many, to the judgment seat of God.

I do not know the dignity of their birth, but I do know the glory of their death. They died unquestioning, uncomplaining, with faith in their hearts, and on their lips the hope that we would go on to victory. Always for them: Duty, Honor, Country. Always their blood, and sweat, and tears, as they saw the way and the light. And twenty years after, on the other side of the globe, against the filth of dirty foxholes, the stench of ghostly trenches, the slime of dripping dugouts, those boiling suns of the relentless heat, those torrential rains of devastating storms, the loneliness and utter desolation of jungle trails, the bitterness of long separation of those they loved and cherished, the deadly pestilence of tropic disease, the horror of stricken areas of war.

General Douglas MacArthur's Farewell Speech

[DollyCali]

good morning Chris.. great read. Thank you for the work & th e ping.

I am going to cross reference your thread to the Finest Menorial weekend thread OVER HERE

Will be up in a bit.. need to put together rest of AM greeting

I hope you have a great weekend Chris

[bitt]

These words forever remain true:

"It is rather for us the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."

[facedown]

[AFPhys]

With some of the veterans serving during Vietnam, it is almost magical to find that their faith in this country has never failed. And their belief in conservative philosophies has kept this country strong.

I'm one of these, as well as many more here at FR. Well - I almost am, in any event - having been commissioned during the VN war years, but not going into active service until a few days "after" - I want to make it clear that I feel worthy to only shine the shoes of those who actually went into battle for us those days -

But be sure, I am proud, and will always be proud of doing the "peacekeeping" part I did, and that my fellow soldiers did. They are truly the heartbeat of America. They truly all deserve "undying gratitude and appreciation for performing their honorable duty to the United States of America, and for me, for my dad who died a few months ago, I accept such thanks given us. I also join with all of you in thanking all our fine fighting men.

There is a whole group I wish to acknowledge, who I don't believe get the thanks they deserve: the wives, the families, the friends, and the staunch supporters of our American military. They sacrifice much on our behalf, too, and without their love and support, our soldiers' would be far less effective. Without them, we would go into battle ill equipped, and disheartened before even engaging the enemy.

My extreme gratitude for all who are doing and have done that service for our country, too.

Take pride, soldier - YOU have consecrated America - These words apply to all who have served throughout the history of our country: “But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract.”
- - - SALUTE!