[Rose in RoseBear]

I know, I know, I forgot someone's name ... I always do. Comes from having a sieve for a memory.

But I don't forget what the military means to me, and to this country that I love. I honor you, our HH veterans. It's because of people like you, who put your bodies between the enemy and people you never even met, that this country exists, and still stands today.

Thank you.

[Ramius]

Rose... did you see that thread today about the Old Guard (3rd Infantry) at the Tomb of the Unknowns? It was a very fine write-up, and very moving, I thought. I'll try to find the link... here it is:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1277878/posts

Honors and ceremony are not just decoration. I happen to think that this stuff really matters. There's a quote at the end of the story that says it really well:

“Some might wonder why we put such effort into this instead of something that shows a product,” Roe said. “But this is our product. What we do at the tomb has a vital place in a democracy. Because democracies honor those who serve. “We don’t simply use people up, and then throw them away.”

I've heard lots of the trivia about the traditions of the Old Guard, but I learned something new in this article that I didn't know before:

The Sentinels at the Tomb of the Unkowns do not wear any insignia of rank. This is because they do not wish to presume to possibly outrank whomever is the "unknown" soldier that lies therein.

[snif]

[Ramius]

[smaagee]

As it stands now we will leave here on the 18th and fly to Ft. Dix NJ. From there we will pick up a commercial flight to SEA-TAC. The only hang up now with that plan is they arent sure what they are gonna do with 22 rifles when they get on a commercial flight. I will continue to keep you updatedd as info comes to me. Looking at the news it looks like we got out of Mosul at a good time. See ya soon.

Steve

[Darksheare]

I always forget SOMETHING.
Just what I'm never show.

[msdrby]

Thanks Rose.

I am trying out new browsers while waiting for the Salvation Army to pick up some (okay, a lot of) unwanted furniture.

Any suggestions, preferences, likes/dislikes, etc?