Free Republic

When the people of America were giving birth to a new nation, under God, it suffered all that could ever be experienced in the birthing process. It was never easy or without pain, suffering, sacrifice and death. Today thousands will visit the places where our dead are buried. There will be gatherings at military cemeteries across the nation as well as in Arlington Cemetery in our nation's capital. In cemeteries there will be music, speeches, parades, flags, the sound of guns, playing of taps, prayer and the recounting of the meaning of this special day. Christians, the believers in Jesus...

God bless & keep all who serve in defense of this Republic & her Constitution...and particularly may He rest all those who have given the last full measure of devotion in that service. That includes my Uncle Albert Spacil, my mom's only brother & my dear, deceased grandparent's only son. He died in a B-17 over Germany in 1944. God continue to rest his soul until we're all gathered over yonder, across Jordan in our Father's Kingdom. ...and may God grant that we have the strength, courage, conviction, virtue, and faith to stand in our turn against the internal tyranny...

AMVETS National Commander John P. "J.P." Brown III announced today that AMVETS is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of those responsible for the Sept. 7, 2007 vandalism of the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. According to the National Park Service, an unidentified substance stained 14 of the memorial's 140 panels. For more information, visit the AMVETS website.

TOKYO (AP) - A U.S. search team on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima is zeroing in on a cave where a Marine combat photographer who filmed the iconic flag-raising 62 years ago is believed to have been killed in battle nine days later, officials told The Associated Press Friday. The seven-member search team is looking for the remains of Sgt. William H. Genaust, who was killed in action after filming the flag-raising atop Iwo Jima's Mount Suribachi. The team is also searching for other U.S. troops killed in the battle - one of the fiercest and most symbolic of...

*SINGLETON, WALTER K. Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division. Place and date: Gio Linh District, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 24 March 1967. Entered service at: Memphis, Tenn. Born: 7 December 1944, Memphis, Tenn. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Singleton's company was conducting combat operations when the lead platoon received intense small arms, automatic weapons, rocket, and mortar fire from a well entrenched enemy force. As the company fought its way forward, the extremely...