Posted on 05/26/2006 3:29:44 PM PDT by Impeach98
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Honor our fallen heroes
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Posted: May 26, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
Today, millions of families across America will begin packing their bags and getting ready for the Memorial Day weekend.
I wonder how many people will take the time to actually pay tribute to the true intention of the holiday: to honor those who have given their lives for the cause of American freedom.
The barbecues, swim parties and discount sales at the shopping malls continue unabated, but the holiday's true significance seems to have faded for some in this nation. It's sad to see some people finding it too inconvenient or too politically sensitive to paying homage to our nation's greatest heroes.
The exact historical origins of the Memorial Day holiday differ depending on whom you ask, but the intentions are all the same.
Teacher Moina Bell Michael helped drive the message home for the Allied Forces of World War I. The European fields of Flanders had served as the graveyard for so many thousands of men who bravely fought back against tyranny and terror. Many poems have been written about Flanders, and Moina Michael decided to take things one step further. She rallied the public to follow her lead in wearing the red poppy of Flanders Field as a symbolic gesture of support for the fallen heroes who gave their lives in the fight against evil.
Her words in this poem are so potent and powerful that they ring loud and strong to this day:
The blood of heroes that colored the red poppies of Flanders lives on today in the hearts of the men and women fighting against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It provides them the courage to do what they know is right, even in the face of stiff political opposition, second-guessing and attempts to undermine their mission by some of their own countrymen.
Today's heroes endure temperatures well above 100 degrees. They press forward in spite of sand being driven into their mouths, eyes and nostrils by monstrously fierce desert winds.
Unlike those Americans who dedicate just one weekend to paying tribute to our fallen soldiers, the men and women serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom do not have the opportunity to select just one day or one weekend to serve. They face the threat of attack every second of every day that they are serving overseas.
Over 2,400 of America's finest have already lost their lives in Iraq. While this death toll is only a small fraction of the battles against tyranny in wars past, it is nonetheless a staggering blow to so many of the family members left behind.
I've had the opportunity to speak with many of these family members. Called "Gold Star Families," they know how painful the knock at the door can be. They know the true costs that come with preserving our nation's freedom and security.
I am asking you to use this Memorial Day weekend to reflect on those who have served and support those who are serving today.
Here's one way you can pay tribute. This weekend, the nations largest pro-troops grass-roots organization, Move America Forward, will be holding a nationwide Memorial Day Radiothon that will honor those who have given their lives in the fight against terrorism.
The national radio program will feature "Gold Star Families" recounting the reasons their sons and daughters served in the military and why they felt their cause was just, noble and necessary.
These are powerful, gripping accounts that have often moved me to tears. What always impresses me is how strong and resolute these family members are. These "Gold Star Families" are not Cindy Sheehan clones far from it.
They are planning a trip to Iraq to see the progress being made in that nation; progress the mainstream media seems to deliberately ignore. These family members also wish to convey their love and appreciation for the men and women who are currently serving in Iraq.
These family members support the men and women fighting in Iraq and their mission to defeat the terrorist threat. You must hear their stories. You must hear their love for their country and pride in the efforts their children made as a member of the United States military.
I encourage you to give up one, maybe two hours from the barbecues and picnics to listen in and hear the messages these Gold Star family members want to send to the world. You can log onto www.MoveAmericaForward.com to get more details on stations and times the program will air and how you can stream it over the Internet.
these marines are going to need a good defense counsel and a lot of support. I stand with them. War is hell. Maybe we should quit being such a pussy nation and face up to what war is. There is a reason why we haven't won a real war since WW2.
Right on, man - where is the consideration for 'being there' in the battle - in the war zone were you can die any second - you are pumped up - if it's anything, it's temporary insanity - if that is needed to get them off.
How did we get to a point that mistakes - in the heat of the moment can also kill the soldier that happen to make that mistake, if in fact a mistake was made. Mental state and situation has got to be considered, big time.
I plan on making a big poster and attending my city's Memorial Day parade. It will read.."Thank you vets, Thank you so much for your sacrifice. I love you one and all!"
Last evening, I watched an A&E special on the Lima Company (marines) who endured so much loss last year in Iraq. Their loss was so great as has been every single soldier lost in this war. I need to do something more than just cry and cry.
I will reflect on all veterans and I will cry some more. My Dad served in the Merchant Marines at the age of 17 at Omaha Beach WWII, Of my seven brothers...four were in the Air Force and one in the Navy. I had one uncle who served in the Navy, Army and Air Force, another uncle who served as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War and many relatives of long ago who served in the Civil War. My pride runs deep and I cry each and every time I hear the Star Spangled Banner.
God Bless all our veterans wartime or peacetime. Unfortunatley I live in the disgusting liberal state of Massachusetts where Patriosm is a bad word. I spoke to a business contact today who said he was marching in his city's parade this Memorial Day. He said he's getting up early, going to lift weights, get pumped up and press his uniform for hours to look spiffy. Truly these individuals are who I honor each and every day.
God Bless our veterans young and old, past and present. You are the true heroes of this country. Not some stupid hollywood star, not some stupid athlete and not some stupid American Idol winner.
I'm not sorry for my rant. I get so damn emotional. God, I love our veterans. As a single Mom of a seven year old boy, I'm going to do my best to bring him up to honor our beloved veterans, soldiers and any man and woman who takes that oath for the United States of America.
Best Regards to my fellow freepers.
The difference is, that during WWII you didn't have so many people hoping we'd lose the war. Today we have that whole crop of Michael Moores, Cindy Sheehans, Nancy Pelosis, Howard Deans, more interested in seeing us lose so they can embarrass Bush than they are determined to see us prevail over the terrorist threat.
Thank you for your eloquent post. You and Melanie Morgan get it. We have to keep standing up for our military men and women so they are appreciated as much as they should be.
The left seems to forget that the Islamic terrorists are trying to destroy western civilization, not just win back some sand dunes. Our military is the only thing holding them back.
BTTT! Keep this thread bumped over Memorial Day weekend please!!
You got it!!!!!
You got it!!!!!
I'm just going to go to Culpeper National Cemetery and visit with my boy & my Dad, and the parents of 2nd Lt. Leonard M. Cowherd, Culpeper's first casualty in this war. I'll probably bring some Gummi Bears, which he liked. Then maybe go to the gun range if they are open, since we liked to shoot together.
Bump that.
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MEL's -PASSION- sparked by -WE WERE SOLDIERS-
http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1085111/posts
...just for the LOVE of it..!!!
Signed:.."ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer
Veteran-"WE WERE SOLDIERS" Battle of IA DRANG-1965
(Battle of IA DRANG-1965 Photos)
http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_set1.htm
http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_collection.htm
Saturday AM bump from California.
I heard a story today on TV about an airliner landing at an unspecified airport yesterday. When five US service men stood up to disembark the rest of the passengers gave them a standing ovation along with whistles and cheers, many with tears in their eyes. There must not have been many left wing America haters on board that plane.
That story made my day, I just hope it was a true story.
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