The FReeper Foxhole - Memorial Day - Today We Remember Those Who Gave All - May 31st, 2004

[snippy_about_it]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.


...................................................................................... ...........................................

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

Our Mission:

The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.

The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer.

If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions.

We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.

To read previous Foxhole threads or
to add the Foxhole to your sidebar,
click on the books below.

A Brief History of Memorial Day



On this day, we pay tribute to those whose lives were sacrificed for our freedom.

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our country. It began during the Civil War when organized women's groups in several towns throughout the South decorated the graves of the Confederate war dead with flowers, wreaths and flags. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5th, 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 May 30, 1868.



Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery each year with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Traditionally, the President or Vice President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The occasion is also marked in almost every State on the last Monday in May. Several southern states, however, 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.

Here is General Logan's official order:

General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868 The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If our eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from his honor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.

By order of
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief
N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General
Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.

---

---

FReeper Foxhole Armed Services Links

[Professional Engineer]

Taps with 30 second drum roll

Thanks Snippy. I can't hear Taps without getting teary eyed. I've played it three times so far. Spiderboy wanted to hear it a second time as well.

[Professional Engineer]

Cool beans. Thanks for the report.

[Professional Engineer]

http://nathanadams.com/WeSupportU.htm

[Iris7]

Good work. Thanks. Got some work to do around here, I see.

[The Mayor]

When we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. —Romans 5:6

The memory of Jesus' death calls us to a life of praise.

[The Mayor]

May 31, 2004

Remember

Read: John 19:1-8

When we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. —Romans 5:6

Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 13-14; John 12:1-26

---

Prime Minister Winston Churchill was honoring members of the Royal Air Force who had defended Britain during World War II. Recounting their brave service, he declared, "Never in the history of mankind have so many owed so much to so few."

A similar sentiment appears on a memorial plaque in Bastogne, Belgium, where raged the famous Battle of the Bulge, one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Second World War. The inscription, in honor of the US 101st Airborne Division, reads: "Seldom has so much American blood been shed in the course of a single action. Oh, Lord, help us to remember!"

Those are fitting and well-deserved tributes to the courageous men and women who sacrificed so much for their country.

As I think about them, I also remember the One whose selfless sacrifice resulted in benefits for people of all nations. Jesus Christ, the sinless One, died on a cross and shed His blood to pay the penalty for our sins. In so doing, He guaranteed our freedom—freedom from the penalty, power, and someday even the presence of sin. Of Jesus it can be said: Never in the history of mankind have so many owed so much to one Man. Yes, His was the greatest sacrifice.

Lord, help us to remember! —Richard De Haan

'Twas not a martyr's death He died,
The Christ of Calvary;
It was a willing sacrifice
He made for you—for me. —Adams

The memory of Jesus' death calls us to a life of praise.

[SAMWolf]

Morning Aeronaut.

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning E.G.C. Cloudy this morning. Hoping it clears up for the services today.

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning GailA.

MMMMMM, sweetrolls.

[SAMWolf]

1930 Clint Eastwood San Fransisco CA, actor (Dirty Harry)/mayor (Carmel CA)

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the report ken5050.

There was a tremendous amount of love, and good will, yesterday afternoon..Made me very proud.

It's great to hear about the outporing of support for these Marines.

You done good. :-)

[SAMWolf]

Yeah me too!

[SAMWolf]

Morning Samwise.

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning Feather.

[SAMWolf]

Morning tomball. Thanks for dropping by this Memorial Day.

[SAMWolf]

Morning PE. Great Flag-o-gram today.

[SAMWolf]

There's a sound that can tear you apart.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

SAM, snippy, the Foxhole seemed a right place to honor our most recent fallen today.

Thank you for honoring our troops, daily.

~    ~

 

Task Force Olympia Soldier Dies of Wounds

MOSUL, Iraq - A Soldier assigned to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), under the operational control of Task Force Olympia, died May 30 from wounds following a mortar attack the previous day.

The Soldier had been transported to the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad following the attack.

The identity of the Soldier is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
 

Release #040531c

~ * ~

Two Task Force 1st AD Soldiers Die in Separate Engagements

KUFA, Iraq - Two Task Force 1st Armored Division Soldiers died in separate engagements south of Kufa the evening of May 30.  

One Soldier was killed when his patrol was ambushed with small arms fire and the other was killed when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his tank during a patrol.

The Soldiers' names are being withheld pending next-of-kin notification. 

Release #040531b

~ * ~

1st AD Soldier Killed, Two Others Wounded in IED Attack

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Three Task Force 1st Armored Division Soldiers were wounded at about 6:40 p.m. May 30 when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device south of Baghdad.

The Soldiers were evacuated to the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, where one Soldier died from wounds sustained in the attack.

The deceased Soldier's name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Release #040531a

 

 

Soldier’s Creed      

 

I am an American Soldier.      

I am a Warrior and a member of a team.        

I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.        

I will always place the mission first.       

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.        

I will never leave a fallen comrade.       

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. 

I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.        

I am an expert and I am a professional.       

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.  

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.    

 

I am an American Soldier.  

 

~ * ~           

 

1^st Armored Division

Stryker Brigade Combat Team

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

God bless our troops.

 

 

[Aeronaut]

Hey Sam.

[Mudboy Slim]

Happy Memorial Day, snippy!!

"Tales of Bold Patriots!!"
(To be sung to Cream's "Tales Of Brave Ulysses")

You thought the Lib'ral DemRATS...would bring US down forever...
But we'll rise above Left's treason...RAT's wish violence on our own!!

Yes, the passion of the FRee...pierce thru LIES of bumblin' bureaucRATs...
As we shed our Lib'ral leeches...by slashing Fed'ral programs...
Power's wicked weilders torture...those who seek to live in FReedom...
The heroic Reagan's calling you to build a shining City!!

Next, you'll see Jewel's tanned body...dripping of Left's essence...
But her foolish statements're hollow...We Fight Fer Liberty!!
So when DemLib'rals gather...FReep down RATS' vile sedition...
Proudly FReep Dem Lib'rals...with the issues 'cuz we're Right!!

Once-mighty tyrant's nekkid...once FReedom's been delivered...
Sheeple want to inflict Justice...RATS'll do hard time or be buried!!

Our "game" is Righteous Justice...and we'll FReep DemRATS to Hell!!
Kerry knows folks cannot stand him...'cuz he LIED about his comrades!!
Purple Hearts fer mild abrasions...Hanoi Johnnie shirked his duty...
Fled home early...LIED to Congress!!

The Righteous rise up proudly...we'll Liberate THIS Country!!
Folks, you need to join the FReepers...as we stand against Left's Terror!!

Mudboy Slim (5/31/04)