MEMORIAL DAY--Thread Two--"My Daddy's Finally Home..."

5/25/04 | redrock repost

[Kathy in Alaska]

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.

---

[Kathy in Alaska]

redrock has asked me to post his series of Memorial Day posts this year.

Thank you, redrock, for your service as an Army medic in Viet Nam.

[Bulldawg Fan]

Remember the cost of freedom.....its so very high, but not nearly as high as the cost of tyranny.

[stylin19a]

nice sentiments, but Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. Period.

[patton]

Damn foggy monitor.

[Kathy in Alaska]

From redrock’s 2004 posting

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
This ones for you, my Brother.
redrock

2 posted on 05/24/2004 6:32:29 PM AKDT by redrock (”Better a Shack in Heaven....than a Mansion in Hell”-—My Grandma)

Thanks, Tonkin, for your service to our country. We miss you.

[Kathy in Alaska]

TAPS

Some Gave All

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Kathy in Alaska]

And thanks to you for your service to our country. Semper Fi.

[reagan_fanatic]

War is hell, and it takes a heavy toll not just on those who pay the supreme sacrifice, but also on the families left behind. I cannot imagine losing my Dad at such a young age, never being able to hold him or talk to him again.

The difference is - I put the blame squarely on our enemies who threaten and attack us. THEY are the cause of so much pain and misery, not the brave soldiers who travel halfway around the world to combat such evil. In contrast, our liberal brothers and sisters are quick to point the finger of blame at America, accusing the U.S. of being the primary source of evil and instability in the world. It is an astounding display of hate and ignorance, and does a great dishonor to all who have served so tirelessly and selflessly to defend their precious freedoms.

May God bless our brave warriors, and may we never forget our debt to them.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, reagan_fanatic.....excellent points.

[Lady Jag]

Remember all those many who support our protectors.

[Guenevere]

bttt

[TheThinker]

My feelings exactly. Soldiers in combat should always be supported no matter what the politics of the day. Children have lost their fathers in this war and it’s going to be a tearful Memorial Day for them.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Remember the cost of freedom....

Thanks, Bulldawg.

[JFC]

God Bless our fine Vets and present Military....... they deserve all flags to be raised in their honor.

[JFC]

God Bless our fine Vets and present Military....... they deserve all flags to be raised in their honor.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Foggy, indeed, patton.

[NavyCanDo]

I came up on a SUV just the other day with a familiar yellow Support The Troops Ribbon on the back window.

As I got closer I noticed the license plate frame that read, “In Memory of our Son [his name]
Killed in Iraq 7/11/05. It brought tears to this big ole guys eyes and a big lump in my throat. God Bless them, God Bless them All.

[siunevada]

God bless all those who have served in the military, especially those who have been wounded and those who have given their lives to keep us free. God bless their families who have sacrificed and suffered and mourned.