[snippy_about_it]

FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!



Good Monday Morning Everyone.


If you would like to be added to our ping list, let us know.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Snippy, excellent job on today's thread.

[SAMWolf]

Dear Unknown Soldier

I am writing this letter to you, dear soldier, to ask for your forgiveness.

As we each take a moment of silence on Memorial Day we will remember the millions of brave and gallant soldiers who fought for our freedom and we will thank them for their courage and their sacrifice.

We will attempt to imagine what their sacrifice must have been like -- the days in the trenches, the constant ring of gunshots, the blast of bombs and buzz of fighter planes. We will consider life on the frontline caked in mud and blood, watching soldiers fall around us. We will try to comprehend the death and destruction in a constant ring of hell. We attempt to imagine the barbaric realities of war, the starving prisoners, the homeless, parentless children, the wounded and dying young men and women. And we will try to understand the pain of knowing we may never see our children or our families again.

You, Unknown Soldier, can help me to understand for your sacrifice was a huge one.

Your bravery and courage has gone without its medal and without a grave to bear its cross. You selflessly gave your namesake to preserve a way of life and now you stand valiantly amongst the poppies as a statue of honor, courage and of freedom.

We will never fully understand your suffering, your heartache and will never even know your identity. You could have been a father, a brother, a son, a grandfather, a nephew -- you could have even been me.

But, dear soldier, I write to tell you that you do have an identity and perhaps one of the most honorable. You represent each and every soldier gone before and those who came after. You represent freedom and peace for me and my neighbors. You represent a life of honor, courage and bravery.

And so, as I pause in two minutes of silent tribute I will no longer call you Unknown Soldier, for you have a name -- thousands of them. You are using each one of ours.

Lest we forget. . .Renowned Soldier.

Cindy Ballance

[snippy_about_it]

.........


Clic for high resolution

The World War I Somme American Cemetery - France
This fourteen acre cemetery, sited on a gentle slope typical of the open, rolling Picardy countryside contains the graves of 1,844 American military Dead. Most lost their lives while serving in American units attached to British Armies or in the operations near Cantigny during World War I. More

---

Clic for high resolution

The World War I Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery - France
Meuse-Argonne, covering one hundred and thirty acres, holds the largest number of American Dead in Europe, a total of 14,246. Most of those buried here gave their lives during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I. More

---

Clic for high resolution

The World War II Cambridge American Cemetery - England
There are 3,812 American military Dead buried there. On the wall running from the entrance to the chapel are inscribed the names of 5,126 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country, but whose remains were never recovered or identified. More

---

Clic for high resolution

The World War II Epinal American Cemetery - France
This cemetery contains the graves of 5,255 American military Dead. On the walls of the Court of Honor, which surround the memorial, are inscribed the names of 424 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country and who rest in unknown graves. More

---

Clic for high resolution

The World War II Ardennes American Cemetery - Belgium
The cemetery, ninety acres in extent, contains the graves of 5,328 American military Dead, many of whom died in the so-called "Battle of the Bulge." More

---

Clic for high resolution

The World War II Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery - Belgium
At this cemetery, covering fifty seven acres, rests 7,989 American military Dead, most of whom gave their lives during the advance of the American Armed Forces into Germany during World War II. More

---

Clic for high resolution

The World War II Netherlands American Cemetery
Beyond the chapel and tower is the burial area which is divided into sixteen plots. Here rest 8,301 American Dead, most of whom lost their lives nearby. The walls on either side of the Court of Honor contain the Tablets of the Missing on which are recorded the names of 1,723 American Missing who gave their lives in the service of their country and who rest in unknown graves. More

---

Clic for high resolution

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
Interred within them are the remains of 9,386 servicemen and women. Three hundred and seven of which are Unknowns (those which could not be identified), three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, and four women. Also buried here, side by side, are father and son, and 33 pairs of brothers. Each grave is marked with a white marble headstone, a Star of David for those of the Jewish faith, a Latin cross for all others. The aligned headstones against the immaculately maintained emerald green lawn convey an unforgettable feeling of peace and serenity. The servicemen and women interred in the cemetery came from all fifty States and the District of Columbia. A small number also came from England, Scotland and Canada. More - (Extremely informative downloads available also)

---

Clic for high resolution

The World War II North Africa American Cemetery - Tunisia
At this cemetery, twenty-seven acres in extent, rest 2,841 American military Dead. Along the southeast edge of the burial area is a long Wall of the Missing with its sculptured figures and bordering tree lined terrace leading to the memorial. On this wall are engraved the names of 3,724 American Missing who gave their lives in the service of their country in military activities ranging from North Africa to the Persian Gulf during World War II. More

---

Clic for high resolution

The Korean War Veterans Memorial
The Korean War Veterans Memorial is located near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. It was dedicated on July 27, 1995. The Memorial commerates the sacrifices of the 5.8 million American who served in the U.S. Armed Services during the three-year period of the Korean War. The war was one of the most hard fought in our history.

During its relatively short duration from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953, 54,246 Americans died in support of their country. Of these, 8,200 are listed as missing in action or lost or buried at sea.

Clic for high resolution

In addition 103,284 were wounded during the conflict. As an integral part of the Memorial, the Korean War Honor Roll was established, honoring those U.S. military personnel who died world-wide during the war. More (This monument link has several pages dedicated to it, I encourage you to visit all of them)

---

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial


"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind."

Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam
Listed as KIA February 7, 1978

THE VIETNAM WOMEN'S MEMORIAL

Night time view of The Wall

---

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

OUR NATION'S MOST SACRED SHRINE

PLEASE REMEMBER THESE ARE HALLOWED GROUNDS

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

HERE RESTS IN
HONORED GLORY
AN AMERICAN
SOLDIER
KNOWN BUT TO GOD

"Scenes from Above" - Arlington National Cemetery

Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery Armed Service Funerals

---

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. (JOHN 15:12-13)

Those who have died for their country will never be forgotten.

Their sacrifice will live on forever in the hearts of all who cherish freedom.

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

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Snippy.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Freeper Foxhole.

In honor of our veterans.
Thank you for your service to our country.
We will never forget.

[GailA]

Good Morning a few carbs to start the day

[Soaring Feather]

Memorial Day Greeting to All.

[Professional Engineer]

Good morning ladies. Flag-o-gram.

[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.

[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.

 

 

[radu]

Good afternoon everyone!

All gave some, some gave all, and to each and every man and woman in our military, past or present, my gratitude and support is forever.
THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!
And my thanks, also, to our allies who have stood beside us throughout the years.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Happy Memorial Day, all

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.

I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of taps one night,
when everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington…
No - Freedom isn't free.

~LCDR Kelly Strong, USCG~

[Diver Dave]

From our house to y'all...Memorial Day Greetings...