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.

[RadioAstronomer]

NO way!~ I was going to crack a joke about it being a Lean Cuisine

ROTFLMAO! Hi! :-) Nope not much interesting, just looking at data tonight. :-) How was your holiday? I hope it was wonderful!

[SAMWolf]

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

Lyndsay
I think Memorial Day is important because I honor the veterans who fought in a war. I go to the cemetery and put a flag or flowers in front of their gravestone. My Grandpa was in either WWI or WWII, but I don't know which one. I don't know any other family members of mine that were in a war. I will know soon enough. Besides, we don't celebrate Memorial Day.

Sidney
I'm going to tell you about Memorial Day. It is a special day to honor the saoldiers who fought and died in the wars. People have parades and put flowers and flags on the soldiers' graves. They put flags on their houses, too. Some school kids go to the cemeteries, too, with their teachers. Some families have picnics.

Becky
I'm going to tell you what I think about Memorial Day. I think Memorial Day is when you are thankful. You thank the people who fought for our freedom and the people who cared for our soldiers. I think we should be thankful that we aren't having a war right now and that our Dads are not in it and our Moms are not alone.

Erica
Memorial Day means to celebrate the people who fought for us. The people who fought for our country risked their lives for us. That's why we should respect them. I think Memorial Day means the first day of summer and to respect our elders. There were a lot of wars and a lot of people died. We put a lot of energy into wars. Now we have to put a lot of energy into respecting that.

I am sorry if one of your relatives died in a war. One of mine did. I am grateful we have a world, and we have this country. Memorial Day is special and so are the people who fought for this land. I really like Memorial Day. Even though I don't know a lot of people who died, I still respect them.

[lodwick]

Thank you for sharing the meaning of your screen name. Powerful and scary stuff. Be Well and God bless. I believe that the Canteen is available in Heaven. JL

[WIMom]

You all have to check this thread! (JH2, a ping on go_usna's thread would be really nice)

One Of The Air Force's Best Kept Secrets: Civil Air Patrol

[4TheFlag]

Thanks for these essays all day SAM, some of them remind me of Art Linkletter's "Kids say the Darndest Things" show.

Hope you had a good one Bro..FReegards my FRiend,

[deadhead]

"MEMORIAL DAY"
"A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE"

Thank You for sharing this Angelique

~~~deadhead~~~

[SpookBrat]

My day was ok. I finished a book, fished with the kids and read this thread.

I have to say, reading this thread all the way through was a great way to spend this day.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Evening Brother

[SAMWolf]

How you doing today 4?

[HighWheeler]

LOL! good point! I imagine it's like Dr. Frankenstein creating his own evil monster!

Too bad gore, sucks to be you - old, fat and demonstrably stupid, and losing your own "home" state in the last election. What do your homies in Tennessee know about you, things that the rest of America's Dims are not aware of?

[4TheFlag]

Hey there Brother, hope you had a Blessed Memorial Day, GOOD to see ya Tonk!

[4TheFlag]

How you doing today 4?

Thank you kindly, but heck, don't ask about me, I hope your day went well Brother!

[GatorGirl]

Hi Clara!

I'm back! When the storm started, we shut all the electric stuff off (I just don't trust surge protectors and the lightning was literally flashing at the exact moment we heard the crack of thunder--that's close!) and we decided to brave the elements and go to dinner. As soon as I logged off, my friend called and invited us to join her family at the Japanese Steakhouse, so we went out and had a wonderful time with them. The rain stopped, and we stopped by the bookstore to get a few items to read this summer. My kids are only six and four, but we are reading a chapter of "the Chronicles of Narnia" every night and we picked up Lynne Cheney's new book as well as a few others this evening.

This past week and weekend has been super busy. I sure hate being away from the Canteen, but until we get on a summer routine, it's going to be hard for me to carve out some computer time. I also have several sets of summer visitors due. I think everyone feels sorry for me this year, being without hubby and all, and they decided to come "help out". (I guess they really do love me alot--coming to Florida in the summer isn't much fun!) It's fine with me, I love company! But that will cut into my Canteen time as well....:-(.
Just rest assured I will be here as often as I can!!! I'm going to try to catch up with my pings and I'll be able to visit for a while (but not TOO long, since it's late and I'm very tired from the activities of the weekend...)
((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))) to you and all my FRiends! GG

[GatorGirl]

Hi Spook!

We're central, west of 75 and north of Tampa. It was a brief storm, came from the north--thanks for sending it from JAX!

Thanks also for your post about your dad. He deserves to be remembered this Memorial Day as much as anyone who gave their life in military service. My husband's grandfather served in the Army, OSS, and CIA and was station chief in several countries during his career. He lived quite a life--we miss him very much and remember him this day as well.

((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))) GG

[SAMWolf]

Hard to describe my day.
It was a good day but a very sad and emotional one. Lots of mixed feelings.

[4TheFlag]

Hard to describe my day.

Mega Dittoes Bro....

[RadioAstronomer]

thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me. I am so glad you had a good day!

Yours truly,

Michael

[4TheFlag]

Hey there GG! SOOO good to see ya Lady!:)

[LadyX]

Long day, and am just getting to this thread.
Angelique, thank you so much for your hails of the past few days.
The one of the admiral lost at sea is haunting.

Cobby, we can just imagine you and Humidston and the Houston contingent in Dallas -
perhaps other Freeper groups from around the state?

Will watch Fox News Channel for coverage - you and Humidston wave at the cameras to us..:)))

Give 'em heck for us all!

[Tanglefoot]

Hi viligantcitizen.

I've been a lurker for quite a while, not much for talking.

I noticed a while back from your grandpa's picture that he was in the 84th Infantry Division. My dad was in the 84th also, at the same time.

I don't know if they knew each other as your grandpa was a "medic" and my dad was a rifleman.

I bought a book a couple of months ago that has the roster of the 84th Infantry Division in it. I don't know whether that would help.

I sure do hope that I did this html stuff right, I would hate to have all of those fine folks that spend all that time making this canteen possible mad at me.