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.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Yes. I got it. ;-)

[Pippin]

I'm glad you liked it. I do try to watch the keyboard when typing. but sometimes my misspelled words will slip through anyway! LOL.

[SpookBrat]

Wow Misty, that picture is incredible.

[MeekOneGOP]

No, YOU'RE the best and sweetest Meek. I'm crazy about you.
You're one of the finest people I've ever met and befriended. You're a blessing to everyone. :)

You made my day, thanks! I think the world of you, too, good friend!

[SpookBrat]

Hello friend. Where in Florida are you? We had some heavy storms today also, but it's over now. We sure need rain don't we?

[Angelique]

RR was really a great man. Thank you for finding these speeches.

[.38sw]

Thanks. My father was a good man, and I miss him. He never talked about his time in the service, so I know very little about it.

[MeekOneGOP]

Isn't she sweet, too, SpookBrat?

[Diver Dave]

Thanks who for these words of Ronald Reagan. What a great President he was.

You know, after reading some of you previous posts, and these today, I wonder if you weren't one of President Reagan's speech writers.

Keep up the good work. Always GREAT to read your stuff, be it humor, serious and spiritually related. Salute to you and your Navy son.

[SpookBrat]

Who? Victoria? Of course!! Everyone loves Victoria. Sweet as the peanut butter and peach jelly sandwich I just ate. LOL

[Pippin]

Good Night, everybody! God Bless you all! SEEYA tomorrow! CS

[Diver Dave]

Thanks for your comments. It's been a great day!

[Angelique]

The Sad Story of Rear Admiral John W. Wilcox, Jr.

Story thanks to Capt. William Addison, USN, Ret. I ran across this interesting story yesterday at the NAM (Naval Air Museum) library, while working on research papers relating to a book on the Battle of Leyte Gulf. It is from an original memo from CNO, Division of Navy History (OP 09B9). Bill Addison.

"On 26 March 1942, at Portland, Maine, USS WASHINGTON (BB 56) was assigned as Flagship of Task Force Thirty-nine, under command of Rear Admiral John W. Wilcox, Jr., USN. This same day, the task force was temporarily detached from the Atlantic Fleet and departed for Scapa Flow, Scotland, to report to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces in Europe, under the operational control of the Commander in Chief, British Home Fleet.

While steaming through moderately heavy seas on 27 March 1942, at 0310 in the morning, "Man Overboard" alarm sounded on WASHINGTON. Cruiser TUSCALOOSA (1000 yard astern of WASHINGTON) maneuvered and dropped life buoys. Two destroyers of the screen headed in to position in WASHINGTON's wake and searched for the man. Immediate muster of all ship and flag personnel revealed the only absentee was Rear Admiral John W. Wilcox, Jr., USN.

The formation reversed course and intensive search, aided by aircraft of the Task Force, was made to no avail. At 1228, the search was discontinued and Rear Admiral R. C. Giffen, USN assumed command."

BB-56 USS Washington, 1940-1945

BB-56 USS Washington North Carolina class battleship: Displacement: 37,484 tons (standard) / 44,377 (full load) Length: 729' Beam: 108'4" Draft: 35'6" Speed: 27 knots Armament: 3x3 16"/45, 10x2 5"/38, 4x4 1.1", 18x1 .50-caliber MG; 3 planes Complement: 2339 Propulsion: Steam turbines, 8 575-psi boilers, 4 shafts, 121,000 shp Built at Philadelphia Navy Yard and commissioned 15 May 1941

For details about the incident, go to: (a great site! Expect to spend some time)

http://www.usswashington.com/moverbrd.htm

[SpookBrat]

(((Aquamarine))) I'm sorry for the loss of your father as well. Sudden death is so difficult. No time for "goodbyes" or one last, "I love you". But then again, you don't have to watch them suffer. I don't know which is worse. All I know is we have a promise of a life beyond this painful world. Every time my heart aches, I remind myself that I still have a father who lives, my heavenly father, and he will never leave me, be killed or die. He will always be there.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Who? Victoria? Of course!! Everyone loves Victoria. Sweet as the peanut butter and peach jelly sandwich I just ate. LOL

LOL!! This is the new me. How do you like it, Sam?

[COB1]

Good evening, dear friends!
I hope everyone had a happy Memorial Day.
I've been busy today, but I had to catch up on the thread.
SOOOO many heartfelt posts here today!

Howlin, thank you for that picture of your dad. He was a fine looking warrior.
Spookie, I missed you guys more than you can know when I was gone.
It's the epitome of frustration to have three computers and no way to get on line!

A bunch of us Houston freepers are going to Dallas tomorrow to counter protest the econuts who are protesting the oil and gas industry in general.
It should be a lot of fun!
I'm taking my brass knucks and my lead filled slapper.
LOL!
We're staying over tomorrow night to give 'em hell on Wednesday, too!
I'm taking my laptop and my camera so maybe I can have some pictures to post tomorrow night from the hotel.
Jeff Head and Rejoyce are going to be there. Maybe they'll pose for me.
LOL!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Nighty night, Clara. See you tomorrow.

[SpookBrat]

I'm sure you miss him; I know it's hard. Maybe there was too much he couldn't allow himself to think about, bless his heart. I'm glad he was able to "come home" to be with his family. He certainly was handsome and he has a loving, gentleness in his eyes. I'm sure he was a good father to you. :)

[SpookBrat]

Goodnight Clara. I'm not far behind. I'm going to finish reading the thread and hit the sack.

[SAMWolf]

You don't strike me as a Peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

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