Posted on 05/27/2002 12:02:56 AM PDT by Snow Bunny
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.
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
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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
LOL!! This is the new me. How do you like it, Sam?
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!
More like:
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.