The FReeper Foxhole - Memorial Day Tribute - May 26th, 2003

various

[snippy_about_it]

NEVER FORGET
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE

More than one million Americans have paid for our freedom with their lives.
What type of American is willing to give all if Providence so chooses?
A Reminder...

WWI

WWII

Korea

Vietnam

U.S. Marine Corp Barracks-Beirut

Persian Gulf War

Somalia

KFOR

USS COLE

Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan

Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines

Operation Iraqi Freedom

---

B E

S T I L L

TO THESE WE OWE THE HIGH RESOLVE THAT THE CAUSE FOR WHICH THEY DIED SHALL LIVE.

AMAZING GRACE

RM..........MP3


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.

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

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

What a wonderful tribute, snippy. (Nice to see that photograph of Easy Company heading up Mt. Suribachi with the flag.)

I hope you don't mind if I pay tribute with a few of my own WWII photos (my dad on the right in the first one, in the middle on the second):

Two young men (one family, one friend) KIA on Iwo Jima:

[snippy_about_it]

Thank you ms. feather and thank you for you lovely graphic and poem.

[Soaring Feather]

Thank you.

[snippy_about_it]

Thank you. Of course we don't mind, we're honored to have you post them here.

[Soaring Feather]

Wonderful to see the photos of your Dad again.
I remember enjoying them in times past.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Thank you so much. It's nice to have a place to share those who are on our minds on Memorial Day.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Thank you, Ms. Feather. Have a wonderful Memorial Day, my friend.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for posting those family pictures, DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet. How you been?

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Thank you for the kind words, and thank you for asking how I've been. (I've been good! How about you?)

[SAMWolf]

Doing fine. I seem to be busy a lot though. LOL!

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Well, you're doing a great job here - that's for sure. Please add mine to the long list of thank you notes I hope you're getting for all you do!

[SAMWolf]

Awww. Thanks.

I've been getting a lot of help from Jen and Snippy, plus some great input from other Freepers.

[SAMWolf]

Some great music and videos you put together, Snippy.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Got this in my email tonight (like probably everyone else did - LOL) - cool story, if true:

Star 100.7 Radio Station was doing one of their "is anyone listening who" bits this morning. The first one was, "Ever have a celebrity pull the 'do you know who I am' routine?"

A lady called in and said that when she was visiting her cattle rancher Uncle in Billings, MT a few years ago, they went to dinner at a restaurant that does not take reservations. The wait was about 45 minutes. Lots of other rancher types and their spouses were already waiting.

In comes Ted Turner and Jane Fonda. They want a table. The hostess says they'll have to wait about 45 minutes. Jane Fonda asks if she knows who she is. "Yes, but you'll still have to wait 45 minutes."

Then Jane says, "Is the manager in?"

The manager comes out, "May I help you?" "Do you know who I am?", ask both Jane and Ted.

"Yes, but these folks have all been waiting already and I can't put you in ahead of them." Then Ted asks to speak to the owner.

The owner comes out. Jane again asks, "do you know who I am?"

The owner says "Yes, I do.... Do you know who I am? I am the owner of this restaurant and a Vietnam Veteran. Not only will you not get a table ahead of all of my friends and neighbors here, but you also will not be eating in my restaurant tonight or any other night. Good bye."

Only in America, what a great country!

[SAMWolf]

It'd be nice if that turned out to be true

[WaterDragon]

Thanks for wonderful posts. I was fortunate that my dad came home whole from WWII (except for battle-caused hearing loss), that my brother recovered fully from wounds he got while fighting in the Korean War. Most recently, my family members have returned or will be returning soon from Iraq safe and sound.

There is never a guarantee of life, at any time, but our military deliberately place their own lives in danger to preserve a specific quality of life for us all, including themselves. I feel so much gratitude to them all for this willing service. And I grieve with the families whose soldiers won't be coming home. Their loss is ours, too.

[snippy_about_it]

You're welcome. What you say is so true. Thank your family members for their service from us at the Foxhole and thank you for sharing your story with us on this special day.

[larryjohnson]

Good Mornin from Maine.

[snippy_about_it]

Good Mornin' to you from Ohio.

[WaterDragon]

And from the opposite corner - Oregon!