A Few Of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-26-03....Memorial Day - Remembering SSGT. Richard A. Fitts

dansangel

[WVNan]

Hi dansy. You have Freepmail.

[dansangel]

FReepmail back at ya! ((((((((WVNan)))))))

[deadhead]

NEVER FORGET: Veterans (left to right) Louis Vecchione, Albert Sharp and Martin Gibson honor their fallen comrades at the Long Island National Cemetary in Farmingdale yesterday.

(05/24/03) FARMINGDALE - On this Memorial Day weekend, Long Island's youngsters are showing they understand the real meaning of the holiday.

Dozens paid tribute to our nation's fallen soldiers at Pinelawn and Calverton national cemeteries.

Boy scouts bearing American flags came by the dozens to the cemeteries. Despite the rain on Saturday, youngsters with troops from across the Island respectfully placed 323,000 flags on the hallowed ground of Pinelawn, and 170,000 more flags at Calverton.

They say every flag marks a promise to always remember, and never forget our nation's soldiers.

Kudos to those wonderful volunteers who place American flags at the graves of our heroes. I went to the Memorial Day Parade today, but it was cancelled due to the rain. So, I continued on to the Long Island National Cemetary (Pinelawn) to pay respects to my Dad. It really touches the heart seeing all those flags.

Colleen

[TexasCowboy]

THANK YOU!

[LadyX]

Thank you, dansy, for your moving tribute this Day of Remembrace and Gratitude, and for all who participated in the observance.
I waited to reply until I reached the end of the thread to add my respects.

Watching the President at Arlington Cemetery was so moving, his sincerity obvious - no line of veterans deliberately doing an about face and standing at parade rest to show their feelings for 'his predecessor' I saw one year on Veterans Day.

If you missed it, look for a replay of when he was moving from placing the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown to go to the platform for his speech. A nearby lone voice came from the crowd, with "God bless you, Mr. President," and he stopped briefly to quietly reply, "Thank you."

It doesn't get much better in America than in these days of God-guided leadership!

In another way, it has been a most difficult day. Writing recently a friend of 54 years (our birthdays two weeks apart) not hearing from him in about two, when we got together in Augusta with him and his wife, a response was in my morning mail.

"My Gwen died on March 30, 2003. Kari lost her son in the fifth month of pregnancy on March 29, 2003, the day before Gwen died. Convince me that either of those events was God's will for the betterment of the Universe. It won't be easy to do."

J

Kari is his step-daughter, who became his daughter at age 9. His only child, a son, died of cancer one year ago, the day after his birthday.
It will be a while before I can make a reply to him, asking God for meaningful words...

[dansangel]

They say every flag marks a promise to always remember, and never forget our nation's soldiers.

Oh my word - that's absolutely wonderful what the Long Island Boy Scouts did!

Thank-you for sharing that inspirational story with us!

[LadyX]

Thank you for sharing that, Mama_Bear, and God bless....

[LadyX]

Thanks, jw - glad you're out there near enough to keep an eye on our Marines at Camp Pendleton!!

[WVNan]

Prayers for your friend, Maggie. Yes, it is difficult to find convincing words of God's grace when one is hurting so much. Just assure him of your sympathy and concern for his well-being. It's too soon for him to be reminded that we all die. God chooses our time, not to punish anyone, but to fulfill the larger plan that we cannot see. In many ways it is a sad day for a lot of people.

[WVNan]

Dansy, I sent the picture, I hope.

[LadyX]

In the spirit of nicmarlo and Meekie and JustAmy, 'sharing' gifs - I 'lifted' one from you a while back..:))

Okay - it was "The Watch," but you removed it from my grasp?!!!
Unimaginable!! Unfair!!
LOL

[dansangel]

It will be a while before I can make a reply to him, asking God for meaningful words...

When someone challenges God's intentions when a heart-breaking loss is at hand, it is truly nearly impossible to find the right words. I find comfort in scripture:

8Romans:28 - "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."

((((((LadyX)))))))))

[MeekOneGOP]

You're welcomed. Thank you.

[deadhead]

I am so sorry to hear of your friends loss. Prayers for your friend. Gwen will be guiding her grandson in heaven. Oh, this is so sad. God Bless All

[LadyX]

Always there when we need you, aren't you, Sistah?
The words will come, somehow.....
I can only imagine how heavily you have to lean on the Lord to find them for all those you must comfort.

{{{ for Nan }}}

[MeekOneGOP]

:O)

[dansangel]

WVNan sent this picture for all of you to see. Along with it she sends this narrative:

"This is the headstone for John A. Stone, F Company, 33rd Ohio Regiment. He served in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was WVNan's husband's great-grandfather. Memorial Day was first instituted to honor the Civil War soldiers."

Thank-you, ((((((Nan))))))) for sharing this!

[dansangel]

Thank-you for posting that, (((((((((Cobbie)))))))

We shall NEVER FORGET!!!

[WVNan]

I woke up this morning with you on my mind dear Sistah.

[LadyX]

Thank you so much for your replies.
Jerry and I were part of an inseparable group in Melbourne High School, dansy, and in Sunday School.
You remember it, now an Art Museum "on the city's Western border" was our school song!!

The rest of you, that was blocks from downtown at the time, serving half of all of Brevard County, where Cape Canaveral and The Space Center is - now a gigantic, unrecognizable area..:))