USO Canteen FReeper Style..Memorial Day Weekend Begins....Saturday May 25,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

"TO OUR ABSENT BROTHERS"

They finished a fine noble monument in our town the other day.
It glistens bright on the village green, in prominent display.

It's a grand and noble structure raised by a grateful land.
Yet I recall a simpler one of steel and wood and sand.

I kept my eyes on our point man. He was the first to go down.
I saw how the bullets spun him and slammed him to the ground.

That night seemed to last forever, but it finally came to an end.
And no longer were some strangers, for each was the others best friend.

I looked over at the captain, and he silently answered me.
And he took my arm and nodded, then turned so I couldn't see.

So I walked back to our point man, to the place where I saw him fall.
For dawn had brought with it a quiet, with the peace of God and all.

And I covered him with a poncho, and then to be sure he'd be found,
I fixed bayonet to rifle, and shoved it in the ground.

There wasn't much more anyone could do. My tribute seemed a trifle.
So I picked a battered helmet up and placed it on the rifle.

Long years have passed since I saw him fall that cold and frightful night.
Now his name is carved in marble, but something didn't set right.

The helmet on the rifle seemed a far more fitting shrine.
For the rifle was my brother's, and the helmet, it was mine.

Author Unknown

Eagle Hot Air Balloon

"Thanks For Remembering"

At first there was no place for us to go until someone put up that BLACK GRANITE WALL.
Now,everyday and night ,my brothers and my
sisters wait to see the many people from places afar file in front of this Wall.
Many stopping briefley and many for hours and some that come on a regular basis.
It was hard at first,not that it's gotten any easier,
but it seems that many of the attitudes towards the war that we were involved in have changed.
I can only pray that the ones on the other side have learned something and more Walls as this needn't be built.

Several Members of my unit and many that I did not
recognize have called me to the Wall by touching my name that is engraved upon it.
The tears aren't necessary but are hard even for me to hold back.
Don't feel guilty for not being with me,my Brothers.
This was my destiney as it is yours,to be on that side of the Wall.
Touch the Wall,my Brothers,so that we can share in the memories that we had.
I have learned to put the bad memories aside and
remember only the pleasant times that we had together.
Tell our Brothers out there to come and visit me ,
not to say Good Bye but to say Hello and be together again,
even for a short time and to ease that pain of loss that we all share.

Today,an irresistible and loving call comes from the wall
as I approach I can see an elderly lady as I get closer I recognize her....
It's Momma! As much as I have looked forward to this day,I have also regretted it because I didn't know what reaction I would have.
Next to her,I suddenly see my wife and immediately think how hard it must been for her to come to this place.
And my mind floods with the pleasant memories of 30years past.
There's a young man in a military uniform standing with his arm around her........
My God!!....It has to be my son.
Look at him trying to be the man without a tear in his eye.
I yearn to tell him how proud I am, seeing him standing tall, straight and proud in his uniform.

Momma comes closer and touches the Wall and I feel the
soft and gentle touch I had not felt in so many years.
Dad has crossed to this side of the Wall and through our touch,
I try to convey to her that Dad is doing fine and is no longer suffering or feeling pain.
I see my wife's courage building as she sees Momma touch the Wall.
and she approaches and lays her hand on my waiting hand.
All the emotions, feelings and memories of three decades past
flash between our touch and I tell that it is alright.
Carry on with your life and don't worry about me......
I can see I look into her eyes that she hears and understands me...
and a big burden has been lifted from her.

I watch as they lay flowers and other memories of my past.
My lucky charm that was taken from me and sent to her by my CO.
a tattered and worn teddy bear that I can barley remember having as I grew up as a child.
and several medals that I had earned and were presented to my wife.
One of them is the Combat Infantry Badge that I am very proud of
and I notice that my son is also wearing this medal.
I had earned mine in the jungles of Vietnam and he probably earned his in the deserts of Iraq.
I can tell they preparing to leave and I try to take a mental picture of them together.
because I don't know when I will see them again.
I wouldn't blame them if they were not to return and can only thank them that I was not forgotten.
My wife and Momma near the Wall for one final touch and so many years of indecision,
fear and sorrow are let go.
As they turn to leave I feel my tears that had not flowed for so many years,
form as dew drops on the other side of the wall.

They slowly move away with only a glance over their shoulder.
My son suddenly stops and slowly returns.
He stands up straight and proud in front of me and snaps a salute.
Something makes him move to the Wall and puts his hand upon the Wall
and touches my tears that had formed on the face of the Wall and I can tell that he senses
my presence there.
and the pride and the love that I have for him.
He falls to his knees and the tears flow from his eyes.
and I try my best to a sure him that it is alright and the tears do not make him less of a man.
As he moves back wiping the tears from his eyes,
he silently mouths, God Bless you, Dad

.......God Bless,YOU,Son............

We WILL meet someday but in the meanwhile, go on your way

......There is no hurry.......
There is no hurry at all.

As I see them walk off in the distance ,
I yell out to THEM and EVERYONE there today.
as loud as I can ,

........THANKS FOR REMEMBERING........

and as others on this side of the Wall join in,
I notice the US Flag that is so proudly in front of us every day,
is flapping and standing proudly straight out in the wind today.

[SAMWolf]

MEMORIAL DAY ESSAY
by Kathlena Peebles[Copyright, 1996]

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day set aside for remembrance of those who have died in our nations service. Memorial Day was first proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, in his General order number 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868; when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers. The South, at first, refused to acknowledge, Memorial Day, honoring their dead on separate days until after WWI. It is now observed in almost every state of the union on the last Monday of every May. Since the Civil War more than 1.1 million veterans, both women and men, have lost their lives in service to America. Indeed the Civil War alone accounted for more than 600,00 dead.

On Memorial Day I had the opportunity to witness a memorial in San Francisco, aboard a submarine, the USS Pampanito, a submarine that was used in WWII and Korea. The United States submarine service suffered the highest percentage of casualties than any other of the services that served in WWII. They also sank over 55% of all Japanese shipping sunk in WWII. This was all pointed out to me with pride by several of these veterans.

As our National Anthem was played over the speaker system some of them started to cry as they remembered all of their fallen comrades, the ones that served with them, and the ones that did not. I thought about how many of these veterans brothers had made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may all enjoy the freedom this country offers.

As we stood for the Pledge of Allegiance I saw the reaction on their faces, it was a thoughtful, respectful look, a look of such sadness. I thought about what my dad's submarine veterans group was really all about "To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives while serving in the United State Naval Submarines" I then started to cry myself with the realization of what that really meant . All those old sailors, my dad included, standing on the deck of an old submarine holding the flag with such pride and sadness.

Then it was time for the speakers to give their speeches about their experiences and the meaning of Memorial Day. A WWII veteran talked about the hardships and struggles and the fact that he was lucky to be alive when so many of his brothers had fallen victim to the war. One talked about how it was up to the veterans to teach "our children about the sacrifices made by so many". Another said, "that America will only be the land of the free so long as it is the home of the Brave". So many of the speakers spoke with so much pride about America that it was hard not to think about all the people who have no idea what this holiday is really about. While they go to their Bar B Q's and beaches there are some who keep up a tradition of pride in service to the United States of America and remember all those who had fallen, and rejoice in the ones who still live and remember. Let none of us ever forget what Memorial Day really is.

COMMENTS

Kathlena Peebles was a Junior at Highlands High School in North Highlands, CA when she wrote this. The essay was punishment for missing a band function on Memorial Day to witness a Memorial Day presentation by her father's submariner veterans group aboard the USS Pampanito [US Sub Vets, Inc. Mare Island Base]. She wrote an essay about what Memorial Day really is, she succinctly expressed the Spirit of Memorial Day. The day is a day to remember and honor those who fell in battle. Which is what she did, and was punished for.

[MistyCA]

This is a very nice Memorial Day Tribute Site

[MistyCA]

I am very glad you enjoyed it! :)

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks so much. Much appreciated.

[lodwick]

Excellent report - thank you!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Great post.

While they go to their Bar B Q's and beaches there are some who keep up a tradition of pride in service to the United States of America and remember all those who had fallen, and rejoice in the ones who still live and remember. Let none of us ever forget what Memorial Day really is.

I will not forget.

[Fiddlstix]

Thank all of you for the kind replies :)

I have had a chance to work on it a bit more now and I believe that I have it pretty much in it's final format in case you want to peek again :)

I'm not sure just when I'll post it.
Thanks again
God Bless

[SAMWolf]

[lodwick]

Thanks for that link - Superb.

[deadhead]

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
In seems to signal to the skies,
That blood of heroes never dies.

Thanks for the link Misty, great site.~~~Colleen~~~

[Victoria Delsoul]

Wonderful. Thanks Sam, you're too kind.

God Bless!

[MistyCA]

You are welcome....I see that you enjoyed the statement about the poppy too....that was one of my favorites :)

[4TheFlag]

Hey Everybody the weekend is HERE, YAAAY! It's GREAT to be Home again. I hope everyone is enjoying the Memorial Day weekend thus far!

The beast was pretty gentle to us today, whew!

[SAMWolf]

Welcome Home Flagman! Get caught up on the thread, it's a great one today.

[SAMWolf]

WHAT MEMORIAL DAY MEANS TO ME
By Paratrooper Nick Fondo

When I hear the words Memorial Day, I think of friends I once knew.
Friends and comrades I last saw on a foreign shore.
They came from all walks of life, some were rich, some were poor.
We were just Americans fighting side by side.

I think of the pain I see in my older brother's eye when on that rare occassion,
he will speak of another war on a different foreign shore.
My brother also will speak of men he once knew, as we walk through the graveyard.
He will stop, I notice as he gazes upon a gravestone, a tear starts to glisten in his eye.
I think of my Father-in-Law and of the pain that is reflected in his eyes, of the things that he has seen.
Like my brother and I, he also fought on a foreign shore.

I think of all the servicemen and women that have given all they could.
Of Bunker Hill, Little Big Horn, the Alamo, Gettysburg, San Juan Hill, Belleau Wood, Manila Bay, Guadalcanal,
Pork Chop Hill, Dak-To.
And I watch as OLD GLORY is carried on by, I feel a tear forming in my eye.

I Thank all the men and women, who have fought and died, to give me this freedom, that, I.., all, take for granted.
May God bless YOU, ONE and ALL!

[MistyCA]

Hi, 4! Glad to see you home again! :) We are starting our Memorial Day weekend out with a great thread!

[Euro-American Scum]

Thank you for serving and for those in your family and freinds too that have served and those that gave their lives.

You know, I got up this morning and packed up all my gear for a day of target practice at a local gun club I belong to. I did this with some premeditation.

First, I haven't had any trigger time this year but for one Saturday about a month ago. Second, nothing gets my mind off things like a day at the range. It's like coming up for air.

Well, I go out to the garage and there is my (relatively) new Michelin tire flat as a pancake, and just out of warranty.

Now, my first choice of activity on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend was not to play phone tag with various tire stores to see if they had this tire (most didn't). Neither would I have chosen to change a tire, or sit at a dealership all morning and part of the afternoon waiting for a delivery truck to arrive with the tire and stewing about my wasted day that could have been better spent shooting reactive steel with my new handgun. And I sure wasn't interested in shelling out over $200 to install said tire on my car. Then again. . .

In Memoriam: Thomas Anthony Eckl, 199th Light Inf. Bde., KIA 20 Feb. 1968. A good man, who should have come home.

Things sure could be worse. Let me take a brief timeout to give thanks for my problems. Maybe there is a purpose after all. . .

[4TheFlag]

We are starting our Memorial Day weekend out with a great thread!

WOW, I would say so! A BEAUTIFUL thread, VERY moving tributes to our fallen Brothers.

Good to see ya Lady, and thanks for the welcome.

[Euro-American Scum]

That simple salute -- that single act of honoring his fallen brother and his flag -- encapsulated all the Army values in one gesture for me. It said, "I will never forget. I will keep the faith. I will finish the mission. I am an American soldier."

In one word: Airborne!

[Scuttlebutt]

I've lost track of who has custody of Beamer this month but if he is squeamish about getting puppy shots, he should stay clear of this place over the Memorial Day weekend: