Posted on 05/26/2006 7:05:55 PM PDT by redrock
Her little face was scrunched up...as only a six year old can be when attempting to be a 'big girl' and not cry.
Her normal reaction to the news that her daddy was finally home would be to run and jump into his arms and hug his neck with all the power her little arms could muster.
She would smell the familiar 'Daddy Smell'....and bury her little tiny face into her daddy's neck...happy to be just holding her daddy once again.
But this time...it was different.
This time there would be no hugs...
This time there would be no joy at the sight of her daddy...
..this time her daddy was arriving home, carried by other men, in a coffin....in a box .
------------------
In a few short days it will be Memorial Day.
A day set aside, with hope, for us to remember, and maybe say a small "Thank You", to those who have given their time and,for some,their lives in defense of our Nation and our Freedom's.
And yet...maybe this Memorial Day we need to add one more thing to the list.
Especially THIS Memorial Day.
We need to remember all those who lost their fathers.....
We need to remember all those who lost their sons.....
We need to remember all those who lost their husbands......
We need to remember all those who lost their brothers.....
In reality there is nothing we can really do...to make up for the lost hugs....for the lost talks with 'Big Brother'.....for the lost times with our sons.....for the lost futures.
But we can, and indeed we should, express our gratitude....our thanks.
Maybe...this Memorial Day...we can begin a new tradition.
Maybe we can, I know we should, begin to Thank those 'Left Behind'.
Maybe we can also make it a day to remember the sacrifices that they have made.
"Will They Even Remember My Name??"---MEMORIAL DAY 2006--Thread#1
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1638343/posts
redrock
"My Daddy's Finally Home!!"--MEMORIAL DAY 2006--Thread#2
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1639138/posts
redrock
We should celebrate that men like those LIVED, not that they died.
I read this posting and was going to pass. Words often no matter how well versed, simply do not convey what we may feel in our hearts on this matter. Our hearts go out to those that have lost loved ones who payed the ultimate sacrifice and for those with broken bodies that must move on as best as they can.
Thanks to all the service personnel who go to war-
and especially thanks to those that don't come back.
"Words often no matter how well versed, simply do not convey what we may feel in our hearts"
Bumpity bump.
Redrock, today I had some time on my hands and walked throught the local cemetery, noting the various footmarkers. American flags already had been placed there, which made the cemetery have a respectful, patriotic feeling.
I noticed four markers in various places that weren't gov't issued, but rather stone footmarkers which the families themselves had placed in years long past.
They named the soldier's name, and then "Killed in Germany" with the date of death.
These were kids, twenty, nineteen, killed in combat from November 1944 to March 1945. They they were, lying by their now passed parents, two loving people that had to endure receiving the War Department telegraph that changed their lives forever.
These were simple farming folk, having, as Lincoln once said,"laid on the altar of freedom" such an incredible sacrifice.
These young men had given their future so that we might have one. They died cold, hurt, and in terror, but performed their duty.
Sixty one years of peace and prosperity has been their legacy.
How can we not remember?
God bless you all, and God bless your fallen in this war and in those of the past.
The prayer above which dates from the Second World War is one my father carried with him during his war service and I hope that when he fell, I hope it was of help to him.
During my own service, I carried it as well, and I know it helped me.
As an Australian, I feel a special debt to the brave men and women of the US armed forces who helped protect my nation from invasion during World War II, and I also can read a map well enough to know what lies at the bottom of the domino of South East Asia.
Know that there are people around the world who do remember with you.
.
.."WE WERE SOLDIERS"..
...airs on the CBS Television Network this Memorial Day Weekend Sunday night at 9:00 pm Eastern/Pacific Time.
Just for the LOVE of it..!!!
MEL's -PASSION- sparked by -WE WERE SOLDIERS-
http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1085111/posts
.
|
Bump!
Amen!!
Wonderful post, ally.
save
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.