FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain Memorial Day Message ~ May 30 2004

http://www.ussv-centralregion.org/District%207/Placoderm/Chaplains_Message.htm ^ | Chaplain Neal Hanley

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

	Memorial Day Message Once again, we come to a Memorial Day service. And once again, I am reminded that we stand here today with a purpose. That purpose is to recognize and remember. And once again I am reminded that “Freedom is NOT free.” Our country’s Freedom has been paid for again and again. In his Gettysburg Address Abraham Lincoln said several things that are memorable. There are two things that he said that I want to mention today. The first is “We can not dedicate--we can not consecrate--we can not hallow-- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.” While we do not stand on a field of struggle today, we live in a world filled with struggle. And we cannot dedicate, consecrate, nor hallow the efforts of men and women to obtain and maintain freedom anymore than they already have. There are no words or actions that can fully recognize the efforts and sacrifices that these people, both living and dead, have made and continue to make. This past year, our country once again has gone to war. The casualties were few, but for all of us and especially for the families who lost loved ones, they were too many. This war is ended, but not over. Does that sound a little strange? Well, I guess it is. What I mean is, that our Armed Forces have been Victorious in Iraq, but the war against Terrorism continues. As we all know, there are still those who, for whatever reason, want to “kill” Americans. I am sure I do not understand why. We are the most helpful, considerate, kind and honorable country in history. Please do not misunderstand, I don’t think every one in America is that way, but I do think that as a Nation, we demonstrate those attributes again and again. Americans are good people. As I look around at those to whom I speak today, I see people who have been and are willing to help not only their Iowa neighbors but also their neighbors in this country and their international neighbors as well. It is a great country and we are a great people. The second quote from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what THEY did here.” Isn’t that true. Every year for the past several years, I have written and delivered this address in this very spot. Who remembers what was said? And, for that matter, why should they remember? It is not now, nor has it ever been my intent to be remembered. But we are here to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and those who still today give the ultimate sacrifice. We are here to remember those who gave themselves, not only in death, but also in sacrifice and effort. Even though they live, the things they were required to do to keep our Great Nation free have changed their lives forever. Since this is Memorial Day, I thought I might use the word “Memorial” to define some thoughts about the men and women who have given so much to and for us. Men: Brave men and women who fought and did many different things that were beyond what most would think themselves capable of doing. They responded to the call of their nation when needed and they MUST be remembered. Endure: Because of their love for our country and fellow man, these people endured many hardships, both physical and mentally. Many gave their lives, all endured much. Memory: We need to exercise our memories. Every day, we need to remind others, and ourselves that our freedom was purchased with a cost. Ownership: The brave ones who fought for themselves as well as for you and for me have ownership in this day and in this country. Not only do they have the right of ownership, but also they pass on to us, the responsibility of ownership. In fact, it is our country to preserve. Responsibility/Remember: As we honor the brave men and women who have served our country, we find that we do it because it is our responsibility to remember. We have the freedom to do as we like. But along with the freedom that we have been given, comes the responsibility to remember. We acknowledge a debt of gratitude and respect for all. I-you-me. Each one of us living in this great country is a part of the success or failure of our country. It is up to us. It is our responsibility to preserve and protect our country and it’s freedoms. I-you-me, we can make a difference. Accountable: We are accountable to ourselves and to each other to maintain the freedoms that we have. Memorial Day brings many people together to remember. Not only do we share in the loss of those who served their country in uniform, but also those who were so close to each of us. On this day, we perpetuate the memory of the sacrifices of the many who have given so much for each of us. Love: We love our way of life and we have a good life. And we love our country. I looked up the meaning of the word “Freedom” in the dictionary. My American Heritage Dictionary says that Freedom “is the condition of being free”. That interested me so I looked up the word “Free”. And that says that to be free, one is “at liberty, not bound or constrained”. Many take Freedom and Liberty for granted. But we are here today to celebrate and remember the many who have helped preserve our Freedom and Liberty. This service is in their honor. One of the reasons we observe Memorial Day is because we know that we must not forget. We know that many have made the sacrifice so that we can be here today. We must not forget those sacrifices. Chaplain Neal Hanley

[Mudboy Slim]

"Anybody know?"

Nope...MUD

[Mudboy Slim]

"Tomkow's "condition" is benign: he's not the nutcase certain folks have made him out to be."

That's one man's opinion...MUD

[MoJo2001]

I ain't that bored. NEXT!

[MoJo2001]

Queenie,
The Sailor sent you something.

[Soaring Feather]

Got it Hon. :-)

[MoJo2001]

Now where are my cookies?

Huh?

Well?

[MoJo2001]

Some things are still a drama. FReepmail for the Sailor is one of those. LOL!

[Mudboy Slim]

Bored?! But it ain't even a school night...we oughtta be gettin' rowdy!!

After the basketball game is over, of course...MUD

[John Lenin]

A fresh box of kleenex for the thread. :-)

[MoJo2001]

(I'm not really bored. I have 16 movies I really wanted to watch. I can't decide.)

[Mudboy Slim]

16 ?! Where do you find the time? LOL...MUD

[MoJo2001]

I don't! LOL!

[Soaring Feather]

~Phil Collins~Do You Remember~

[Old Sarge]

Greetings, Canteeners, Troops,
and All the Ships at Sea!

Sarge is reporting in at last, to all the good folks wherever you are, from the woods of Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin!

Our FRiend, KJFine didn't hold anything back, with his description of this place. Fort McCoy is OUT HERE - cel phones barely work, email is dial-up only, and we all fight to get the two outside lines that willlink us to the outside world.

Dexter the Dell is doing yeoman's work up here, with class notes, games, email inks, and of course, Sarge's poems and short stories. Gotta have some fun.

But the days are all 14-hour class deals, and here's the big surprise: Sarge's trip grew from two weeks, to EIGHT. Seems the orders got, um, "extended" slightly. So, Sarge will be reporting from doings back inside the Green Suit for some time to come.

But now, for the moment y'all were waiting for - SARGE AND TOMKOW!

Saturday morning saw us linking up at a restaurant NW of the Windy City, rain all over the place, and lots of warm food inside - WAFFLES! Tomkow drinks almost as much coffee as Sarge, and almost the same strength, too - must be the Navy in him.

We traded war stories, service stories, family stories and tall stories - I'm certain of that one. And the photos do the justice, too. We used Tomkow's camera; Sarge's has no flash. but the pics show the deal - we actually now have evidence of who we look like. And two more FReepers have joined up.

Now, onto the Personals:

TONKIN: Glad to see you keeping on, and a big thanks for the Canteen;

BENTFEATHER: How did the Poetry Contest finally end up, lots of verses from all of us I don't wonder?

THE GALZ: Sarge is not AWOL, nor is he MIA - AOB (Away On Business), and will check back in as often as things permit;

THE GUYZ: Glad to see everyone's still checking in and keeping up, Fellas!

TO MY BRETHREN UNDER ARMS: We pause to remember our absent friends, tomorrow. But as long as we can recite their names, they're not entirely gone. I'll raise a glass, too, and look them in the eye...

Sarge will be in and out for a while, so Let's Have Fun!

SARGE