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FReeper Canteen ~ Memorial Day 2015 ~ 25 May 2015
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC and The Canteen Crew

Posted on 05/24/2015 5:02:41 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska

 

 

The FReeper Canteen
Observes

------------------------
Memorial
Day
2015
------------------------
 

 

History

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet (see below) carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

More history here.

 

 

 

 

Poetry & SONG

 


MEMORIAL DAY


In distant field of sunny France
Where strangers come and go,
Amid the farms of Flanders, where
The fragrant breezes blow,
Our soldier-dead in quiet sleep
'Neath crosses row on row.

Here shrapnel shells once shrieked and burst
And took their toll of death;
The very wind, itself a foe,
Bore poison on its breath.

Above their graves the birds now sing
As round that home of yore,
When, carefree boys, they romped and played;
Those childhood days soon o’er,
The boys to brave and strong men grown,
They romped and played no more.

They put aside their childish toys,
A man’s work each must do,
And when their country called for them,
To her they answered true.

"We must protect our native land:
She shall not suffer wrong
For she has reared and nurtured us,
We’re men and we are strong.
We’ll bid good-by to those we love;
It will not be for long."

With aching hearts and tear-dimmed eyes
We watched them go away.
Some have returned but many sleep
In foreign lands today.

Where English roses bloom and fade,
In France where lilies grow,
Among the fields of Flanders, where
The scarlet poppies blow,
Our soldier-dead are not forgot
Though strangers come and go.

~By Eula Gladys Lincoln~

 

 

America the Beautiful - 1913

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self the country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America ! America !
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man's avail
Men lavished precious life !
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!
 

 

 

 

 

 

Links to redrock's
Memorial Day Threads from 2006

"We Can Be Heroes.....Just For One Day"
MEMORIAL DAY --Thread # 1


"Just Another Drunk Indian..."
MEMORIAL DAY--Thread # 2


"Chocolate Chip Cookies"
MEMORIAL DAY --Thread # 3


"Hey...Do Ya Wanna Hear a Polish Joke???"
MEMORIAL DAY --Thread # 4

 

"Remember...What We Owe.."
MEMORIAL DAY --Thread # 5



"The Betrayal of The American Soldier"
MEMORIAL DAY Thread # 6



Final -- "Falls The Night"
MEMORIAL DAY Thread # 7

 

 

 

 




TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; memorialday; military; troopsupport
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To: Soaring Feather

Good morning Ms. Feather ((HUGS))

Happy Memorial Day

Have a wonderful day.


81 posted on 05/25/2015 6:26:00 AM PDT by beachn4fun (Raina and Connor ~ the sequel ~ now available.)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Hi Kathy. Sorry I missed the fun yesterday; had to do “double duty” by going to the Indy 500 followed by a wedding. Who gets married on race day in Indy? Good family friends I guess.

The opening ceremony traditions at Indianapolis are quite moving. It is a 45 minute expression of love for our country, appreciation for what God has given us as a nation, and thanks to the men and women of our armed forces, and an honor to those who died for us. It never fails to bring a tear to my eyes. Sometimes there are some drunken loudmouths who want to carry on during the ceremony, but the rest of the crowd usually shuts them up.

As for the race, it was exciting but I really wanted Scott Dixon to win. Not a Montoya fan. But the weather was perfect.


82 posted on 05/25/2015 7:03:22 AM PDT by henkster (Do I really need a sarcasm tag?)
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To: All; Kathy in Alaska; LUV W; Arrowhead1952; SandRat; PROCON; beachn4fun

Freedom Isn't Free


Remembering With Deep Gratitude Those Who Gave All

83 posted on 05/25/2015 10:22:40 AM PDT by MEG33 (God Bless America And Our Troops)
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To: 2LT Radix jr; 80 Square Miles; acad1228; AirForceMom; AliVeritas; aomagrat; ariamne; ...

Echo Taps
 
Semper Fidelis March

The Sun Harbor's Chorus -The Halls of Montezuma
 
U.S. Army Band - A Hero for Today

U.S. Army Band - Duty, Honor, Country
 
U.S. Army Band - Heroic Fanfare

U.S. Army Band - Hymn to the Fallen {From Saving Private Ryan}
 
U.S. Army Band - National Anthem

U.S. Army Band - The Armed Services Medley
 
U.S. Army Band - The Last Full Measure of Devotion

U.S. Army Band - This Is My Country
 
U.S. Army Band - We Were There

U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers Chorus - God Bless the USA
 
U.S. Navy Sea Chanters - Eternal Father

United States Air Force Band - Battle Hymn of the Republic
 
United States Air Force Band - God Bless America

United States Air Force Band - Lord Guard and Guide
 
United States Air Force Band - The Higher We Fly

United States Coast Guard Tribute Semper Paratus
 
United States Marine Band - God Our Fathers

United States Marine Band - The Stars and Stripes Forever
 
United States Navy Band - Amazing Grace

United States Navy Band - America the Beautiful
 
United States Navy Band - Liberty Fanfare

US Air Force Song - Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder
 
US Army Song - The Army Goes Rolling Along

US Navy Band -Anchors Aweigh
 
West Point March
 

 


Aaron Tippin - Where The Stars And Stripes And The Eagle Fly
 
Aaron Tippin - You've Got To Stand For Something

Alabama - Born Country
 
Alabama - Down Home

America - Tennessee Ernie Ford
 
America The Beautiful (Live) - Ronnie Milsap

Battle Hymn Of The Republic - Tennessee Ernie Ford
 
Big And Rich - 8Th Of November

Billy Gilman - There's a Hero
 
Billy Ray Cyrus - Some Gave All

Blackhawk - Days Of America
 
Brooks & Dunn - 'Til My Dyin' Day

Bruce Robinson - Travelin' Soldier
 
Buddy Jewell - Sweet Southern Comfort

Carolyn Dawn Johnson - Some Mother's Son
 
Charlie Daniels - Let Freedom Ring

Charlie Daniels Band - In America
 
Charlie Daniels Band - This Ain't No Rag, It's A Flag

Charlie Rich - America the Beautiful
 
Chely Wright - The Bumber Of My Suv

Charlie Daniels Band - My Beautiful America
 
Darryl Worley - Have You Forgotten

Dave Matthews Johnny Cash - For You
 
David Ball - Riding With Private Malone

Diamond Rio - One More Day
 
Due South - Joey and Laura

Dusty Drake - One Last Time
 
Elvis Presley - America The Beautiful [Live]

Five for Fighting - The Beautiful
 
Garth Brooks - Belleau Wood

Garth Brooks - We Shall Be Free
 
Montgomery Gentry - Tattoos and Scars

God Bless America (Live At Carnegie Hall) - Kate Smith
 
God Bless The U.S.A. - Lee Greenwood

Gretchen Wilson - Politically Uncorrect
 
Hank Williams Jr - Mr. Lincoln

Hank Williams Jr. - A Country Boy Can Survive
 
Hank Williams, Jr. - America Will Survive

India.Arie - Good Man
 
Jars of Clay - The Widowing Field

John Conlee - They Also Serve
 
John Michael Montgomery - Letters From Home

John Wayne America - Why I Love Her
 
Johnny Cash - The Ballad Of Ira Hayes

Johnny Cash Marty Robbins - Song of the Patriot
 
Johnny Cash - Ragged Old Flag

Willie Nelson - Living In The Promiseland
 
Katherine Jenkins - Hymn To The Fallen

Keni Thomas - Flags of Our Fathers
 
Keni Thomas - Hero

Keni Thomas - Not Me
 
Kenny Rogers - Homeland

Kenny Rogers - Long Arm Of The Law
 
Joseph Rizza MacKenzie, Joseph Kilna - Sgt. MacKenzie

LeAnn Rimes - God Bless America
 
Lee Greenwood - God Bless The U.S.A.

Lonestar - I'm Already There
 
Lonestar - My Front Porch Looking In

Lonestar - Somebody's Someone
 
Martina McBride - Blessed

Martina McBride - God Bless America
 
Mary Chapin Carpenter - My Dear Old Friend

Michael MacDonald & Jamie O'Neil - Not So Distant Day
 
Merle Haggard - Okie From Muskogee

Merle Haggard - The Fightin' Side of Me
 
Montgomery Gentry - Didn't I

Montgomery Gentry - My Town
 
Montgomery Gentry - You Do Your Thing

Mormon Tabernacle Choir - Battle Hymn Of The Republic
 
Neal McCoy - I'm Your Biggest Fan

Neal McCoy - The Last Of A Dying Breed
 
Oak Ridge Boys - American Made

The Mansions of the Lord (Suite)
 
Phil Vassar - American Child

Michael MacDonald - This Is God
 
Ralph Stanley II - Are You Proud Of America

Randy Travis - America Will Always Stand
 
Randy Travis - Heroes & Friends

Rascal Flatts - The Glory of Life
 
Ray Charles - America The Beautiful

Ricochet - The Star Spangled Banner
 
Sgt. Barry Sadler - Ballad of the Green Berets

Shooter Jennings - 4th Of July
 
Stars And Stripes Forever - Victory Military Band

Steven Curtis Chapman - Soldier
 
Sugarland - Everyday America

Tammy Cochran - I Believe
 
Taps history told by John Wayne

The Andrews Sisters - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
 
The Charlie Daniels Band - This Ain't No Rag, It's A Flag

The Star-Spangled Banner (Live At Carnegie Hall) - Bill Gaither Presents The Isaacs
 
The Warren Brothers - Hey Mr. President

This Land Is Your Land - Lee Greenwood
 
Toby Keith - courtesy of the red, white and blue (the angry american)

Toby Keith - live introduction by Toby of courtesy of the red, white, and blue (the angry american)
 
Trace Adkins - Arlington

Tracy Byrd - I'm From The Country
 
Tracy Lawrence - If I Don't Make It Back

Tracy Lawrence - If The World Had A Front Porch
 
Travis Tritt - What Say You

Waylon Jennings - America
 
Waylon Jennings - The Eagle

Willie Nelson - Living In The Promiseland
 
Your A Grand Old Flag - The Broadway Parade





84 posted on 05/25/2015 10:33:30 AM PDT by AZamericonnie
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Good Afternoon, Ma!

Seems like ages ago, that I was reporting live from the war zone, doesn’t it?

What a journey it’s been...


85 posted on 05/25/2015 10:47:57 AM PDT by Old Sarge (Its the Sixties all over again, but with crappy music...)
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To: AZamericonnie

Wonderful post, Connie! Thank you. I’m sort of out of pocket at the present. With my MIL who is in the hospital.


86 posted on 05/25/2015 11:52:21 AM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris, Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!)
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To: beachn4fun

Missed ya, early bird. Hard to get my act together. :)


87 posted on 05/25/2015 12:31:49 PM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris, Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!)
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To: AZamericonnie
((HUGS))Good afternoon AZ. Happy Memorial Day.

Music bump.

88 posted on 05/25/2015 12:57:31 PM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: Kathy in Alaska; LUV W; mylife; ConorMacNessa; NYTexan; All

Teach your children well.

89 posted on 05/25/2015 4:36:25 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
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To: beachn4fun

I watched it too. But wondered how Powell and Dempsey could speak with straight faces.


90 posted on 05/25/2015 5:13:36 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Old Sarge
Hi there, Sarge, on this Memorial Day...((HUGS))

I remember those reports...the writer was quite good. d:o)

And we thank you for your service to our country.


91 posted on 05/25/2015 6:02:48 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska; SandRat

My thanks and continued gratitude to all on FR who have served this wonderful country.

I want to tell you a bit about my incredible father. He is now 98 years old. He lived with us until about a year ago, when we had to move him to a nursing home. (Altzhimers) We just couldn’t take care his nursing needs any longer. It broke my heart, but we had to do it.

At age 17, he left his family’s depression era farm in Kansas and hitchhiked to Fort Bliss, Texas. He grew up on a horse and wanted to serve his country. He enlisted in the Seventh Cavalry (lied about his age)as a horseman. When WW11 broke out, he went to the Army Air Corps and was stationed in the Pacific Theater. He was at Ie Shima when the Japanese delegation flew in to surrender. He took pictures of the Betty Bomber that flew in there that August. I treasure those old black and white photos.

After the war, He went to Germany and was an Air Force navigator during the Berlin Airlift. My mother, little sister and I followed him there to Ramersdorf, just outside of Munich. My Dad wanted me to understand the freedoms we have in our wonderful USA and took me to tour Andau, Dachau and Bergen-Belsen. This was in the late 40’s and the concentration camps had not been cleaned up yet. I’m certain that I was probably too young to see the horrors. I still have nightmares about it. On the upside,it made me the rather fierce patriot that I am today. Not a bad thing.

Returning stateside, we moved to Elmendorf AFB in Alaska, where he continued as a navigator. He was a gentle but firm father. His dad used the buggy whip on him and because of that he didn’t believe in spanking. Just seeing disappointment in his eyes was enough to make us want to please him. He was and is a remarkable man.

Right now, he is ready to die, I hate let him go, but if he’s ready, so am I.


92 posted on 05/25/2015 7:04:07 PM PDT by Rushmore Rocks (,)
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To: Rushmore Rocks

Good morning Rushmore Rocks

Thank you for sharing that wonderful story of your father.

May God grant him a special place in heaven when his time comes. And, your family eternal peace while you live without him.


93 posted on 05/26/2015 3:28:53 AM PDT by beachn4fun (Raina and Connor ~ the sequel ~ now available.)
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To: Kathy in Alaska
But wondered how Powell and Dempsey could speak with straight faces.

I'm guessing the organizers felt they had to include them (aren't those two regulars over the years?)

94 posted on 05/26/2015 3:30:51 AM PDT by beachn4fun (Raina and Connor ~ the sequel ~ now available.)
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To: Rushmore Rocks
Still catching up....

WOW! Thanks, Rushmore Rocks, for sharing your Dad and your experiences with us all.

We thank him for his service to our country.


95 posted on 05/29/2015 5:56:53 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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