Posted on 05/22/2005 7:48:26 AM PDT by redrock
Paul Edward Speaks........Michael Wayne Ramsey........Alejandro Diaz........John Raymond Jackson.......Frank March Jr.......Anthony Dwight Hatcher........Joseph Verbert Czajkowski........Thomas Carmine De Palma.
The names come at you like a spring run-off. 216 of them.
All of them with one crucial distinction that would separate them from the norm.
All of them died today....on the 22nd of May.
All of them died...doing what their Nation asked.
All of them died...wearing the uniform. Be it Army...Marines...Navy...Air Force.
All of them died...in the jungles of Southeast Asia.
Vietnam.
Cambodia.
All of them died....doing what they were asked....in a far off land...away from their families....putting their dreams on hold for their Nation.
All of them died.......
and were promtly forgotten.
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In just 8 days.....Memorial Day will be here. A day set aside to Honour those who have fallen in defense of our Nation. Who have put on the uniform.....who have gone to the places asked...who have put their lives on the line. ...
...and who have forfeited those lives.
In 8 days we have a chance, and a greater responsibility, to REMEMBER the names and the lives of those died in the service of their Nation.
We have a chance this Memorial Day to stand up....and do our Duty. To just take one day and say "Thank You". To NOT forget....
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This MEMORIAL DAY.......we can be Heroes.
We can remember....we can give up our 3 day weekend (it isn't much compared to what they gave up)....and take the time to visit the graves and just remember.
It's all they would ask......
This MEMORIAL DAY......we can be Heroes.....just for one day.
redrock
Thanks for the ping, Tonk. Going to visit my Marine nephew's grave and maybe go to the VA hospital to thank our brothers.
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Good Day Master Chief
Thank You for your service to our country.
Bump!
Saturday I'll be doing my part, via Poppy, to educate the Alabama public.
TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER"Almighty God, our gracious Father: in simple faith and trust we seek Thy blessing. Help us fittingly to honor our unknown soldiers who gave their all in laying sure foundations of international commenweal. Help us to keep clear the obligation we have toward all worthy soldiers, living and dead, that their sacrifices and their valor fade not from our memory. Temper our sorrow, we pray Thee, through the assurance, which came from the sweetest lips that ever uttered words, 'Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.' Be Thou our comforter. "Facing the events on the morrow, when from the work bench of the world there will be taken an unusual task, we ask Thou wilt accord exceptional judgement, foresight and tactfulness of approach to those who seek to bring about a discord, which provokes war, may disappear that there may be world tranquility. "Hear us, O Lord, as now, in obedience to the call of our President, there sounds throughout the land the national Angels calling to prayer, and we stand with bowed heads and reverent hearts in silent thanks for the valor and valorous lives and in supplication for divine mercy and blessing upon our beloved country: And upon the nations of the earth and to Thee, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, shall be ascribed all glory and honor forever. Amen." |
Big community plans. I'll try to get photos and post them. Ceremony at the AzVeterans Cemetery to honor the vets and VFW is doing a Flag Retirement there. A veteran Flag being with the veterans that defended her. Big Doings at City Park now Named Veteran's Park Army Band is playing.
bump
Thanks for the ping.
Thanks for the reminder, redrock.
SALUTE to our heros one and all. Especially those who gave their all.
redrock, it simply WOULDN'T BE Memorial Day without these threads of yours...
In 1865, Henry C. Welles, a druggist in the village of Waterloo, NY, mentioned at a social gathering that honor should be shown to the patriotic dead of the Civil War by decorating their graves. In the Spring of 1866, he again mentioned this subject to General John B. Murray, Seneca County Clerk. General Murray embraced the idea and a committee was formulated to plan a day devoted to honoring the dead. Townspeople adopted the idea wholeheartedly. Wreaths, crosses and bouquets were made for each veteran's grave.
The village was decorated with flags at half mast and draped with evergreen boughs and mourning black streamers. On May 5, 1866, civic societies joined the procession to the three existing cemeteries and were led by veterans marching to martial music. At each cemetery there were impressive and lengthy services including speeches by General Murray and a local clergyman. The ceremonies were repeated on May 5, 1867.
The first official recognition of Memorial Day as such was issued by General John A. Logan, first commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. This was General Order No. 11 establishing "Decoration Day" as it was then known. The date of the order was May 5, 1868, exactly two years after Waterloo's first observance. That year Waterloo joined other communities in the nation by having their ceremony on May 30.
May our fallen heroes rest in God's harmony and in eternal peace.
I'm with ya.
redrock
redrock
MEMORIAL DAY
redrock
Thanks Redrock
Those who have given all will never be forgotten.
There are too many of us who will make sure that will never happen.
AMEN
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