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USO Canteen FReeper Style....Memorial Day....May 27,2002
FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny
Posted on 05/27/2002 12:02:56 AM PDT by 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.
TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: usocanteen
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To: Victoria Delsoul; SAMWolf
"LOL!! This is the new me. How do you like it, Sam?" Don't forget the rye bread Victoria. SAM likes rye bread. (eeeewwww)
To: Diver Dave;ST.LOUIE1;deadhead;Angelique;The Thin Man
"This war will not be short, pleasant, or easy. It has already required the sacrifice of our firefighters, our policemen, our soldiers, our Sailors, our airmen, and our Marines. More sacrifices will be made.
In the end we will win, precisely because we are those things that the terrorists hate -- prosperous, happy, tolerant, and most of all, free.
Those Americans who wish they could be here with us are, in fact, here with us in spirit. Never before in American history has our nation been so completely unified and resolute in purpose. They are cheering us on, praying for our safety and our success. Our families are behind us 100%.
We will not let them down. We are, and will be, men and women of honor, courage, and commitment.
Abraham Lincoln said 'America is the last, best hope for the world.' Tonight we hold a shining beacon of that hope. We shall keep it burning brightly. Stay sharp. Stay focused. Stay safe. Use the training that has made you the best Sailors in the world.
Trust in your faith, and in your shipmates. God bless us all, and God bless America."
---- --Captain Ron Howard of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV67), shortly before the JFK launched her first strikes into Afghanistan on March 10th.
382
posted on
05/27/2002 6:59:28 PM PDT
by
whoever
To: COB1
Hi Cob! Happy to see you.
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.
Hahahaha way to go, COB! Give'm Hell!
To: COB1
Have fun COB, and drive safe. Don't touch any of those people with liberal cooties.
To: Angelique
That's sad Angelique. :(
To: SpookBrat
Hahahahahaha!
To: ST.LOUIE1
Great looking graphic Louie. It's been a long day, and I'm fixin' to leave again.
To: SAMWolf
Oh, you're soooo sweet! ;-)
To: COB1
That is great. Be safe.
To: whoever
Hi whoey! Those were wonderful words from Ronald Reagan.
To: Aquamarine
Sorry for the loss of your dad, Aquamarine.
To: Victoria Delsoul
Nice catch on that one! There are a lot of jokes like that, most dealing with some liberalism.
Of course, we know that liberalism is being slowly killed by advanced technology. It was the videocamera that started the collapse of East Germany, USSR and nearly China.
It was the Internet which kept gore from stealing the election, and will be keeping the Dims forever on the defense.
To: The Thin Man;Diver Dave;
Marching to Victory They stormed the beaches of Normandy,
They fought the battle of Wake.
They were the doughboys of the Great War,
They wore the Blue and the Grey.
They were at Valley Forge with George Washington,
They remembered the Maine and the Alamo.
They fought in the air, ground and over the waters,
They were in Da Nang, Kuwait and Korea.
They fought for the stars and bars and for a fact much dear,
That you and I could sleep at night with nothing to fear.
When the soldiers the battle fought,
Peace remained the goal most frequently sought.
So let the scars of war be gone and when the bugler plays,
Let the old warrior go home and not beg him to stay.
Let us their valor salute and memory remain clear,
For these are the ones who loved us all far and near.
Victory is at hand for the soldier's last stand,
For death cannot capture the real man.
-------By B.J. Cassady
393
posted on
05/27/2002 7:06:09 PM PDT
by
whoever
To: SAMWolf
The ceremony sounds beautiful. I'm glad you were able to go. It poured buckets of rain here today.
To: HighWheeler
That's a very good point, HighWheeler.
Bump!!!
To: RadioAstronomer
Sorry you were all alone. You're always alone on holidays. What are we going to do about that? Thanks for checking in. You need to be sure and check in more often.
To: SpookBrat; Victoria Delsoul
LOL! You are National Treasure, SpookBrat! 
To: SAMWolf
Apologize for what? You're the greatest SAM (well, one of the greatest. There are a lot of "greats" in here). Thanks for all you add to the canteen everyday. I look forward to everything you post and share. I especially love all your pictures.
To: SpookBrat
Sorry you were all alone. You're always alone on holidays. What are we going to do about that? Thanks for checking in. You need to be sure and check in more often. Thanks so much for the kind words (I am typing this from my control room as we speak :-))
I volunteer to work the holidays so the folks with families can be together. :-)
To: SpookBrat
Uhhh... wow... Thanks for the ping and thank YOU for posting about your father.
A very loving tribute.
I stopped in a small wisconsin town this afternoon, and happened onto their Memorial Day tribute/Parade. Evidently this town lost numerous soldiers in Vietnam alone. Mind you, this is a town of about...2-300 or so people. They concluded with a 21 gun salute, Taps and the National Anthem. I had a chance to "talk shop" with a Firefighter from this town, and we both stood and saluted during the final proceedings. It was quite touching.
Thanks for all the stories and memories everyone.
A blessed day to all.
David
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