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.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Blackbird, thank you so much!!

[Snow Bunny]

Welcome Home Flag Man!!

Thank you and Kelly for serving our country.

[4TheFlag]

Here's the Big Lug enjoying the nice Spring day in the fron t yard of the Canteen!

[Snow Bunny]

OH Amym,this is great. I think that is so wonderful that they have the memorial and now to be able to read about the men is so special. Thank you for sharing this.

I so wish with all my heart that more cities and towns would be like that.

[Pippin]

Good Doggie! Giggle Now, will his "Caretaker" behave ;0)

[SAMWolf]

I liked the poem you posted Victoria.

[Mama_Bear]

Please remember the cost of freedom on this week-end.

Thank you for posting the photo and the links to the two Medal of Honor recipients from Caruthers.

"All gave some, some gave all".

[4TheFlag]

Watcha gonna do when they come for you?

We're so BAD, they know better than to come for us......

[lodwick]

TAPS - Its origin.

We have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually creates tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be pleased to find out about it's humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field.

Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, Captain Ellicombe decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.

Captain Ellicombe had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler.

He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform.

This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals, and at the end of each day on US military bases was born.

Day is done.......Gone the sun........From the lakes.......From the hills.........From the skies. All is well, Safely rest.......God is nigh........

Fading light..........Dims the sight........And a star......... Gems the sky,..........Gleaming bright From afar, Drawing nigh, Falls the night.

Thanks and praise, For our days, Neath the sun, Neath the stars, Neath the sky, As we go, This we know, God is nigh.

I too, have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I he never seen all the words until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse.

I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along.

Mike Starnes

Posted elsewhere by freeper Null and Void

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"LOL.....what a GREAT cartoon Scuttlebutt!!
I should put it on the Canteen Kitchen fridge. heh heh"

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

		Listen to ``Taps" (400K WAV format 75K Real Audio)
	The bugle call Taps  had its origins on a battlefield of the Civil War.  After the Union suffered a large number of casualties in a battle near Richmond, Virginia, Brigade Commander Colonel Daniel Butterfield reflected with sadness upon the men he had lost.  Unable to  compose music, he hummed a melody which his aide wrote down in musical notation.  The company bugler played it that night to honor their dead comrades.  It was officially recognized by the United States Army in 1874.  Accompanied by the drumbeat, Muffled Ruffles,  it is the highest honor given to those who have died in service to our country.

[Pippin]

C'mon! SUGAH! Tell ya what! Let me slip into something I can run in and you can chase me! Who know's? I may even let you catch me!

[4TheFlag]

Thank you and Kelly for serving our country.

Why thank you kindly SB for the welcome, and I appreciate the thanks for serving, it was my Honor and pleasure to serve this wonderful Nation that gives us such Liberty.

Just know that Kelly thanks you too, and yep, I'm sure proud of her!

[Snow Bunny]

This is s neat Flag Man ! The keg has the Swiss Cross, Edileweiss and the works, I love it!

[4TheFlag]

Now, will his "Caretaker" behave ;0)

Yeah RIGHT!!! ROTFLMAO!!;)

[SAMWolf]

What Memorial Day Means to Me It is an important day because it honors the servicemen - and women - who fought and died for our freedom. It may even be our most important holiday, even more important than Independence Day and Veteran's Day. On Independence Day we celebrate the birth of our nation and while blood was shed to gain independence, more was shed to keep it. On Veteran's Day we honor the living veterans but many of them are saddened at this celebration as they remember their fallen comrades.

My dad is a veteran of VietNam and I'm proud of him for risking his life to preserve our freedom. To him, the men who died for us weren't just names on a monument, they were brothers - blood brothers. If it weren't for the sacrifices of men like my dad, we might not be free today.

Memorial Day is a solemn celebration for those that fell in battle at places like:

Wadi al Batin ~ Gulf "War"
Kontum - VietNam "War"
Chosin Reservoir - Korean "War"
IwoJima - World War II

Many Americans think that Memorial Day is just another nice holiday, marking the beginning of summer vacations. If that's what you think, or you're not really sure what Memorial Day represents, visit a veteran's hospital, or an American Legion or VFW meeting hall, and ask a veteran what it means to him...or her. There are many mottos for and about veterans but perhaps the one that sums up Memorial Day best is:

All Gave Some...
Some Gave All

by: Phillip Carr

[deadhead]

It is so sad to visit my Dad's grave. My Dad died in 1969 at a young age, my brother Gary is buried with my Dad, Dad died at 40, Gary at 20. It is heartbreaking to see all the young VietNam Fallen Heroes buried in the same area, all so young, so sad. Me and my Sis visit often, and we read the tombstones, Pray for All. We try to take an upbeat attitude (between our tears) and always say they all must be having one hell of a party. (We even take a beer and pour it in the ground)----just a weird little ritual that we do. I am so glad to have met you too Snow Bunny :-)

[Pippin]

Did you read that post#71 that I posted to Sam? It is sort of a dedication to all of you veterans.

[Snow Bunny]

I saw this and thought you might like it.

[deadhead]

"Please remember the cost of freedom on this week-end."

I will JustAmy, Prayers for Joe and Jack