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Posted on 05/30/2005 6:46:25 AM PDT by snippy_about_it
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| 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.
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weblog Monday, May 31, 2004 Today is Memorial Day, remember? A lot of people died yesterday so you can be alive tomorrow. Remember that today. Unfortunately, a lot of Americans don’t do that. Or, at least, America doesn’t show it. Today’s holiday is gravely important — it’s about young people cutting their lives short to give something to their country. But turn on the television during Memorial Day Weekend: “IT’S A MEMORIAL BLOWOUT!” screams one mattress store ad. And there are plenty more. Every mattress store has said obnoxious ad, and so do grocery stores, department stores, hardware stores… you name it. What a shame this is. When September 11 rolls around this year, how would you feel to see a mattress ad with patriotic music blaring and flashy graphics declaring, “9/11 BLOWOUT SALE!” and an announcer screaming, “IT’S THE ANTI-TERROR EVENT OF THE SEASON”? (In 10 or 20 years, when enough time has passed since 9/11, I promise we’ll see those ads, and no one will be offended.) No better is a woman on the Macy’s commercial with claims like the holiday was “invented for shopping” or any of the other such ads. I would be much more willing to buy from a store that advertises with a quiet message urging Americans to always remember the veterans. A simple company logo, and that’s it. That’s respect. One of the phrases I hear a lot, starting the Friday before Memorial Day, is, “Happy Memorial Day Weekend!”. Well, what do you mean? Memorial Day is no happy day, and the weekend is not some event. This phrase is integrated into Americans’ view that the day is just a day off — a break from work and from life. People boast about their Memorial Day barbecues and Memorial Day parties. I’m not complaining about a day off. And I’m not condemning fun. But the tone of Memorial Day has been completely cheapened and changed. In other countries, streets are quiet and somber music is played. Where is this here, in a place where wars are so particularly pivotal and world-changing? Reflect in whatever way is important to you — but please, never forget. Andrew Phelps      |
You don't know how happy your clarifying statement makes me! Thank you.
Thank you ex-snook. Good to see you this Memorial Day.
Thank you radu.
Iris7 dear, Sam found this essay last night for me, as we read it, he said he too can't remember names and I said this essay sounds like Iris. Sam agreed. We were certainly thinking of you, now how about that!
No need to fuss over minor things like that. :-)
I thought the part where he admitted to Robert Duvall, "I have no idea what you're talking about" was pretty funyy.
We left early this morning for a fine memorial service at the Willamette National Cemetery. Overcast, full pipe and drum corp, single bugler, flyover, colors...very moving ceremony.
Time for a nap. We'll drop in again later.
LOL, like I said I was flippin' channels. I don't normally stop there, but a flash of Chevy nose caught my attention.
Waitaminutehere, I thought you wanted to go back into Engineering. Now you wanna be an Ump?
LOL. I was going to say the same thing!
GMTA
Welcome. Been here long enough that I thought ya'll would appreciate what was on my heart. Nice to share those things with others who find the same meaning in them.
Both have their place. :-)
But you know, our veterans deserve thanks *every* day. :-)
OH..... I loved that part too. :-)
and not just cause it's Robert Duval. LOL...
Sounds like a lovely ceremony Snippy. Glad you found it moving. I like the sound of the single bugler myself.
Bowties turn my head too PE. Totally understandable! :-)
I'd have got stuck there even in Spanglish cause ... well... I mentioned I really like Robert Duval in that movie didn't I? Can't understand why everybody thinks that movie stars Tom Cruise.
BWAAAHAHAHAHA!!!
No matter whether I go back into engineering or not I will *STILL* have my license! :-)
I predict great things! Of course I also predicted a Kerry win.
Look at the General, he is an awsome figure.
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Prayer of a Soldier in France (1918)
My shoulders ache beneath my pack
(Lie easier, Cross, upon His back).
I march with feet that burn and smart
(Tread, Holy Feet, upon my heart).
Men shout at me who may not speak
(They scourged Thy back and smote Thy cheek).
I may not lift a hand to clear
My eyes of salty drops that sear.
(Then shall my fickle soul forget
Thy Agony of Bloody Sweat?)
My rifle hand is stiff and numb
(From Thy pierced palm red rivers come).
Lord, Thou didst suffer more for me
Than all the hosts of land and sea.
So let me render back again
This millionth of Thy gift. Amen.
To Honor a Three War Marine, my Father (vanity)
My Heart ^ | 5/30/05 | Me
Posted on 05/30/2005 7:01:15 PM CDT by ChildOfThe60s
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1413403/posts
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