Posted on 05/25/2006 3:05:21 PM PDT by redrock
Thanks for the ping and a moving thread.
Happy early Memorial Day.
Redrock, thanks again for making us remember.
I saw a bumper sticker tonight--it said" This is the land of the free, because of the brave".
That is why no one who served should have their name forgotten.
A friend of mine lives in a small town. He found a small graveyard off a beaten path that has actually seen recent burials. He found ten veterans buried there, identified by their government footmarkers. He went out and got flags and put a flag at each of their stones and cleaned them off.
Those ten names will not be forgotten--not this year.
Today another friend was at a store and a DHL driver came in. They got to talking and he mentioned that he was a Vietnam Vet. My friend thanked him for his service, and the vet replied that he remembered being spit on when he returned to the US. He mentioned how it hurt that the Gulf War I vets got their parades--he and his comrades in arms got nothing. My friend told him that he did a noble thing, and that the war was not lost in the field but rather in the political arena at home. And that the opponents of the Vietnam War never took responsibility for the 3 million South Vietnamese and Cambodians that were slaughtered by the wonderful Communists after we abandoned the South Vietnamese to fight alone.
My friend reiterated that"You did a right and noble thing" and the vet's eyes misted over. He could say no more, but smiled a smile that said it all--someone told him his sacrifice was worth it.
He had waited over thirty years to hear that.
So, redrock, there are those who care and those who remember.
You too did a right and noble thing, and let me once again thank you for your service to our country. I'm free because of your sacrifice, and I am most grateful.
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Guess that's why I get so angry at people like Murtha.
redrock
Thank you for such a poignant reminder of Ricky and so many others that won't be home again.
I am planning to join Rolling Thunder in DC to honor our fallen heroes. Never Forget!
I remember. I'll never forget.
Thanks vets.
NEVER FORGET ~Ping~
I am just a name
On a piece of paper
Next to my stiff unsmiling face in Marine blues.
I am just a number
Now one of many,
On a piece of paper.
No doubt you grimaced
And offered up a prayer
As the numbers grow and grow.
I once was a person
Warm, loving, and loved
Who chose the Hard Path
Who walked with bearing
Who dreamed of my life ahead
And laughed at my life behind.
Think of me as you enjoy the day
And your freedom blessed
Me and my brothers and sisters.
Now I am not just a name
On a piece of paper
My name is now enshrined in stone
For you.
John Dyer, Father
LCpl Chris Dyer
USMC
KIA Iraq
As an old Navy man and an old broken-down surfer I thank you, Ricky and the millions of others who have sacrificed their family time, years, youth and in many cases their lives.
Ricky is in a big fat barrel at an uncrowded point-break, hooting at his buddies as they paddle back to the line-up.
But Capt. Burrows had other plans, every time I cleared his table he would do something to try and make me laugh. One day a Lt. sitting with him, called me over, and pointed to the Capt's plate, and said there was something wrong with the Capt's ham and eggs.
I looked down at his plate and other than a half empty glass of green GI kool aid, there was nothing on his plate.
I should have known better, but I said "Sir, there are no eggs and ham on the Capt's plate". Capt. Burrows unspeaking looked up at me and dropped his jaw to reveal a mouthful of eggs and ham awash in green kool aid. "green eggs and ham" and yes, I got my ass chewed out for laughing so hard I got the hiccups for two days, and no, I never said why I burst into such a continuous fit of laughter.
He later flew into a cloud only to find a mountain inside of it, outside of Ashville, North Carolina in 1977. He survived the crash with two broken legs and a broken arm and attempted to crawl away from the flames and the wreckage, and nearly made it when he passed out and only then did the flames burn away his lower half of his body.
I guarded the wreckage for a day, while news crews tried to get pictures of the crew.
He was a great Marine Officer, and I will always remember him not in death but with a mouthfull of Green eggs and ham.
ping
Thank you for your service. I'll be at work on Memorial Day but I will never ever forget the men and women who died for this country.
In loving memory Jimmie L. Hatfield 5/16/20-8/9/2003
WWII ETO
Thank you freema!
We walked among the crosses The Chaplin led a prayer They came from every city I felt a little guilty Now the services are over Thanks for what you've given |
Bump!
You might want to start here.
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