USO Canteen FReeper Style....Memorial Day....May 27,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day to remember those who have died in our nation's service. In 1971, it was declared a national holiday to be held on the last Monday in May.

A day when we remember those heroes who have suffered and perished so that we can live and stay secure.

Those souls who were just like us in every way, except that we did things for people we knew.

They fought for us, whom they didn't even know.

Memorial Day gives us the opportunity to show our respect and to pay our tribute to those great soldiers, and we have made an attempt to do the same.

Memorial Day 2002 Message from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

“Across our great land, thousands of American flags, proudly waving, mark the final resting place of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and merchant mariners who had their lives cut short so that we may live freely and enjoy the blessings of liberty

Memorial Day is the one day of the year that we set aside to remember and honor our country's patriots, yet we owe them a debt of gratitude, every day of every year.

This Memorial Day finds our Nation at war -- a war we did not seek, but one we will decisively win. However, our victory will not come without its costs.

Once again, we are witnesses to America's sons and daughters being brought home, solemnly and respectfully, in flag-draped coffins. They join those who lost their lives in the attacks of September 11, 2001.

We are deeply saddened by their deaths, but eternally grateful for their sacrifice. It remains our challenge to do our very best to remain true to the principles and beliefs in which they so fervently believed and which they so valiantly fought to preserve. Their loved ones who carry on remain in our thoughts and prayers.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff and I join every American this Memorial Day, to pause and reflect upon the sacrifices made by so many of our fellow citizens in times of war and conflict throughout our Nation's history. We also salute the dedicated men and women of today's Armed Forces, whether defending our homeland or serving around the world.

They are preserving and adding to this noble legacy.

Gen. Richard B. Myers, USAF

"Tell them, tell them when you get home that I gave all of my tomorrow's so they could have today!"

Those are the words on a tombstone, far across the Pacific, of someone who gave up his life for our future.

Were those words uttered so that those of us who are left could just enjoy our lives without "getting involved", or were they written to remind us that the work of freedom and liberty is never done?

Were those words written ,to suggest to us that it is not our job nor our responsibility to keep alive what they fought and died for, or were they written to remind us that we were given the opportunity of life so that we would continue to defend, and keep alive the memory of what they gave their last full measure for?

Let us here today, tonight, tomorrow, next month and next year - remember these gallant defenders of our freedom.

Most were not heroes as defined by the most hallowed Medal of Honor nor even as defined by the silver or bronze star.

They were ALL Heroes

Yes they were heroes, because without hesitation they fought for our country when they were asked to defend her.

Most didn't die throwing themselves on a hand grenade, charging a bunker or manning a machine gun until their ammunition was gone.
Most didn't die diving their airplane into an enemy ship or marching in the infamous Bataan Death march -- but they are heroes because they fought when asked to fight.

They left their families, friends and good times behind and went to fight for our freedom without hesitation.

Some -- never even fired their weapons because they were killed before they ever reached the beach.

But they were heroes because they were there, ready to fight for America - for family, flag and country.

Most were scared to death as they prepared to meet the enemy. Their stomachs were turned upside down and they prayed to God and wished they were with their moms, dads and sweethearts rather than being where they were.

But they were where they were, fighting an enemy that was threatening their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
They were fighting an enemy because they believed in America, they loved Her flag and they wanted to protect American's right to worship as they chose.
They were there, without hesitation, fighting for what they believed in and dying for what they believed in so you and I could live the way we chose in a free country. But they did not die so that we would stop fighting for what they believed and died for.

They fought and died knowing that we, the living, would go on fighting for that same freedom, that same country, that same flag and for that same right to worship as we choose. Abraham Lincoln, at Gettysburg, said:

"It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth."

It is for us the living to go on defending what they died for.
It is for us the living not to allow history to forget what they gave up all their tomorrow's for.

If when we attacked Guadalcanal and landed at Salerno, we found that "they" were going to fight back, we didn't give up because they fought back. We continued to fight because we knew our cause was right!

When Americans rode in the landing craft before storming the beaches at Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Sicily, Anzio, Normandy, Peleliu, Saipan, Iowa Jima, Okinawa, Inchon and many other places we had never heard of before and when they fought in North Africa, the Philippines, Italy, France, Bastonne, Germany, Korea and Vietnam -- most were scared to death; their stomachs were turned upside down and they wanted to be back home with their loved ones.

But that did not stop them from attacking America's enemies bravely and without hesitation. They fought, and many died, but they did not give up because someone shot back at them.

It is for us the living to continue to defend and keep known what they fought and died for -- what they gave up all of their tomorrow's for.

They did not die so that we could become complacent; nor did they die so that when we, the living, reached a single obstacle --- we should quit

They died knowing that we would go on defending their actions, defending history and defending what they gave up all their tomorrow's for.

If WE don't remember ---if WE don't defend what they fought and died for and what we fought for -- who will remember? Who will care?

How many of them and you who fought for our flag and our country and remember the feeling as Old Glory" was being raised over a piece of land we fought for ---- and many died for?

How many remember seeing or hearing about our valiant warriors, who were fighting on Iowa Jima, as they stood and cheered when they saw the flag being raised over Mt. Suribachi.

From AFVetGal The president has called for a "National Moment of Remembrance" at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day with a one-minute pause to remember those fallen in service to the country.

[Angelique]

"We Are All Alone In Indian Country" That was how we described it when we talked among ourselves in the 1960s. While not politically correct in the '90s, it summarized how 5,000 select CAC/CAP Marines and Navy Corpsmen felt as they stood for the first time in an isolated Vietnamese village, surrounded by jungle, terrifying booby-traps, and thousands of supposedly hostile Vietnamese civilians. They were part of the Marine Corps Combined Action Program (CAP). The CAP program placed a squad of Marines and one Navy Corpsman in villages from Chu Lai to the DMZ in South Vietnam from 1965 to 1971. Images of fanatical Viet Cong pouring out of the jungles and rice paddies hovered in the minds of each of us as we hunkered down for our first night of sleep in such hostile territory. That first night, each new Marine and Corpsman counted the friendly faces of as few as 7 Americans, then looked with mixed emotions at a poorly equipped platoon of Vietnamese Popular Forces, the local village "militia". USMC CAP

This web site is dedicated to those Marines, Corpsmen, PFs, and Vietnamese villagers who became our friends, our allies, and our brothers.

Most importantly, it is dedicated to those of our number whose names now grace a granite wall in Washington, D.C.

Please E-Mail Any Questions Or Additions To Tim "CAPVet" Duffie -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Vietnamese people in some of the [CAP] hamlets still, twenty five plus years after-the-fact, hold annual memorial services for the young men who died to keep them and their children free." LtCol. William R. Corson This Web Site was started in November, 1996. It has grown rapidly due to the efforts of dozens of Marines and Navy Corpsmen who have contributed. If you take the time to browse this Web Site, we can assure you a perspective of the war in Vietnam that you will not find anyplace else. That perspective will come from those Marines and Corpsmen who spent much of their tour living in 114 Vietnamese villages and hamlets throughout the I-Corps area of South Vietnam.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

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[Victoria Delsoul]

No, it's not working. I'm getting a "bad gateway."

[Pippin]

I must be doing something wrong or it's set up to prevent my obtaining any images.

[Angelique]

Thank you Tonk for your service, and for always keeping us informed.

[Victoria Delsoul]

You got mail.

[HiJinx]

FReepmail...2 parts, cause my klutzy fingers hit 'send' too soon. It may help...

[Victoria Delsoul]

I'll be back a little bit later. Hope it works. :-)

[HiJinx]

As much as I'd like to sit here all day, I'm gonna be a dead FReeper if I don't get back to work on a 'project' in the front yard!
See y'all a little later. CZ, hope my suggestion works for you. If not, keep trying. It'll come to ya!

[Victoria Delsoul]

I'll be back later, too. Cya.

[Pippin]

Thank You for your help. Now the system will not let me into Google search! GRRRRRR! I'm going to try again later. SEEYA LATER.

[sultan88]

God Bless all our veterans!!

[HighWheeler]

Whatever happened to SusanUSA?? She vanished 2 months ago without a trace.

------------------------

Canteen Joke of the Day:

----

Subject: A look into the news of future.

- Castro finally dies at age 112; Cuban cigars can now be imported legally but President Chelsea Clinton has banned all smoking.

- The deadly and contagious Spotted Owl plague is spreading rapidly and has now decimated 55% of all Western North America's crops & livestock.

- Last remaining Fundamentalist Muslim dies in the American Territory of the Middle East (formerly known as Iran, Iraq, ..)

- George Z. Bush has announced he will run for President in 2036. Presidents W, X, and Y were in attendance for the announcement.

- A 35 year, $1.89 Trillion government study was finally completed with startling news: diet and exercise are the keys to weight loss.

- Nursing home event... Bill Clinton denies allegations of affair with 23 year old candy striper.

- Former Senatrix and Mob Boss Hillary Rodham-O'Donnell-DeGeneris was indicted for the 12th time in her wonderful life this week. The 89 year old she-he will be found not guilty on all charges when she returns from Columbia.

- Upcoming NFL draft likely to focus on selection of the new litter of 600 pound mutant humanoids recently cloned.

- Baby conceived naturally.....scientists stumped.

- Authentic year 2000 "chad" sells at Sotheby's for $4.6 million.

- High levels of ozone created by electric cars now killing thousands in Los Angeles.

- Average height of NBA players has now nine foot seven inches. Eight foot two "Skinny Runt Jones" (formerly known as Mohammad Abdulluh) is the shortest player in the league.

- It was announced that multi-trillionaire Bill Gates started receiving Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Foodicare, HomeHelp, Vacation Security, IllicitDrugAid and Porno Assistance from the government last year. Even with Gates' tax rate at 99.7%, Senator Pilon Uthers (D-NY) accused Gates of cheating the system. Gates made the bulk of his fortune in the 20's.

- New California law requires that all nail clippers, screwdrivers, and baseball bats be registered by January 2036.

- The next shipment of government approved shoes (natural hemp) will be arriving from China in only 2 more years.

- In weather news today, Global Warming has caused the average temperature in North America to go up over 65 degrees in the last 6 months since December. At this rate, we will be roasting at a simmering 145 degrees by The Holiday Formerly Known as Christmas.

[SAMWolf]

Thank you Victoria.

We arrived at the Memorial about a hour before the Ceremony. I made the walk along the path to visit all the alcoves and then found a spot on the hillside to watch the Cermonies.

It began at noon with the reading of the names, almost 800 of them including 4 Medal of Honor Recipients and 4 sets of brothers. During the reading the ANG did a fly over with F-15's.

After the reading of the names, the Colors were presented and prayers were said.

Then the guest speakers made their speeches.

Wreaths were presented by the Vietnamese Community Association and the local Veterans Organizations.

Then the 21 Gun Salute was performed.

The Ceremony ended with Taps and the Retiring of the Colors.

There were a lot of South Vietnamese Veterans and their families present this year. It seemed more emotional for me this year than in previous years.

Misty, you were right, Roger was there.

[SAMWolf]

More reflections by the third and fourth grade students of Granville Village School on what Memorial Day means to them.

Harlie
I think Memorial Day is about rememberance of all the people that died in the wars. It's when people cry because of their friend's or family's death. My grandfather got shot in the arm. Benny's grandpa almost died in a helicopter accident. My great grandad died in the Korean War. We go over to the cemetery every year. It's for respect for the people who died for saving our country and without them we wouldn't have rights. We wouldn't be able to choose a school to go to. I respect those people who died for us.

Rosely
Memorial Day is a day to remember those who died serving our country. On May 29, 2000, people will celebrate Memorial Day by putting flags on the graves of those who died.

Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day. Some people celebrate by firing up some fireworks or having a barbecue. My Dad served in the military, but he was a cook. My grandpa served as one of the soldiers in the military.

Memorial Day to me is not about fireworks or hot dogs, it's about remembering those who died. It's like Christmas; it's not about presents, it's God's birthday.

I celebrate Memorial Day by waving some cracker sticks. I also light a candle and pray. Memorial Day should be remembered as the day to remember those who died. I think Memorial Day is special. I hope you think so, too.

Jack
In a few days it will be Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a special day when people honor men and women who died in a war.

It is important to me because they were fighting for our country and they lost their lives for our freedom and peace. They are real heroes for what they did, so I like to reward them by honoring them on Memorial Day.

On Memorial Day my family usually goes to Massachusetts for a parade. Everyone should find some way to honor those who died.

Danial
Some people think that Memorial Day is a day to remember people who died in a war, but this is what I think. I think Memorial Day is to remember anyone who died, not just soldiers. On Memorial Day I will remember my Grandpa. He was in World War II. I celebrate Memorial Day by putting flags in the yard.

That's what I think Memorial Day is. What do you think it is?

[Pippin]

Good evening, Sam! Hope you had a Blessed Memorial Day. Loved your posts. God bless our veterans and servicemen and women. Thank you to all who gave their all for our great nation. And May God Bless America!

[RadioAstronomer]

Hi sorry for taking so long to get back to you. Yup all alone. I ended up working Fri thru Wed this weeked 12hour night shifts in the control room. :-) Which is fine, Allows the people with families to enjoy the holiday! :-)

[SAMWolf]

Hi CS. I hope you're having a good day.

[Pippin]

Sorry I left so abruptly w/o saying "good Night' last night. It's kind of an embarassing reason. I fell asleep at the keyboard! SHEESH!

[SassyMom]

Hi everyone! It has been a good Memorial Day. Thank you to all of you that are making such beautiful posts today.