MEMORIAL DAY

[charlie cleveland]

thank you people in our military...tommorrow is the day we honor our fallen comrades and those that have gone on from us... im going to visit my fallen friends of vietnam tommorrow wish i could visit them all...AMERICA we love you and some gave all for you dont forget them... charlie

[Mills Morrison]

Second Charlie on that!!!!


:usa: :usa:

[Dennis V. Nix]

Charlie, one of the saddest times of my life was visiting the Normandy invasion beach head and cemetery in France two years ago. I just could not help but shed a few tears for the thousands of men and women who died for us in that war and in all wars before and since. We owe these people everything. Those who don't show respect for our military and especially our fallen heroes are fools of the highest order.

Dennis

[John Dallas]

During the Viet Nam ara, I was an Honor Guard commander who buried too many young men coming back from Viet Nam. I learned to "Man UP" to provide those men the most dignified sendoff possible, but now, I get teared up when I see those services.

[Dennis V. Nix]

A friend of mine whose father fought on Iwo Jima with the USMC sent this link to me today. I hope it works for others to see. I cut and pasted it here so hopefully it it will work. I don't know the tune to the music but have always liked it. I would appreciate if anyone can identify it for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL-0mdEg0U4&feature=related

Dennis

[Chris Travinski]

Dennis, There is a link to buy the song on itunes under the video. The title is "Here's to the Heroes".

[Dennis V. Nix]

Chris, I appreciate your reply but I guess I wasn't clear in what I was looking for. I don't want the song. I am interested only in the instrumental that goes along with the words. I think the music (not words) might be a Civil War song but am not sure. That is what I am looking for. Thanks again.

Dennis

[Bill Murphy]

Like John Dallas, I was an Honor Guard member during the Viet Nam era. I served 90 or 120 days in the First Army Honor Guard, working out of Fort Lee, Virginia. Strange, we never buried an enlisted man whose family had a pot to piss in. That is not a political statement, just an observation. We were treated like royalty once we met the family a day or two before the service. We could not buy a meal or pay for a place to stay, although we did not take advantage of the offer of the place to stay. Almost all of our Honor Guard members were Viet Nam veterans except those that were headed there. I think we were all volunteers for the Honor Guard duty, but I'm not sure of that. Once we were in there, all of us, no exceptions, were enthusiastic about our duty.

[Matt Valinsky]

I'd like to remember a couple guy's in my outfit. Larry Klienhans USMC, Larry Greene USMC, John Wiseman USMC and about a dozen others who's names I unfortunately don't recall. We all served together with HMM-363 a 34 outfit in Viet Nam during 1967-68.

Damn good MEN all who were taken in their prime. Semper Fi

[charlie cleveland]

just finished up my little trip seeing my old friends it was a sad reunion but very compforting... i noticed today that one friend name of BOBBY CLARK was a bronze medel and 2 time purple heart awarded..one fellow name BILL DAVIS gave his life toteing a friend to safety and so goes the storey for all the rest of the fallen.i hope that i will always remember these boys and girls for thats what they were average age at time of death was 19 to 20 years.... charlie

[Robin Lewis]

It is almost Memorial Day 2014. I received an interesting email attachment this week and thought some of you vets might like to see it too. This illustrates how special a welcome home can be for a vet that has been away serving for us!

HIT-mS3QUKI

[Dean Romig]

Well, I think I got a tear or two on my bacon and eggs....

I only wish our Viet Nam Vets got this kind of greeting when they returned in the 60's
I'm sure they did from their families but not when they stepped off the planes that brought them back. Please remember them too!

[Dean Romig]

We were recently informed that my 92 year old father in law, who served his country in the US Army Corp. of Engineers in the South Pacific has been asked by the selectmen in his town to serve as Grand Marshall in the Memorial Day Parade. We were all very honored that he was asked but he said that the honor is his to have served his country with such brave men and that he will do it proudly in their honor.

[Rich Anderson]

There is nothing free in being able to enjoy freedom, it has been paid for in the blood of the fallen and the sweat of those who fight to protect it against those who would try to take it away.

God bless our troops past, present and future and their families who also serve.:bowdown:

[Dean Romig]

As the day draws to a close and most of us have taken part in honoring those in uniform and those ho have served - especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country (that's all of us) I remember a poem that I learned in grade school back in the fifties and recited with my classmates in our school's Memorial Day Exercises... as appropriate now as it was then and more meaningful now that I understand its words.

Composed during the First World War by Canadian military doctor Major John McCrae.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.


Will somebody please blow taps for those who have died?

[Craig Larter]

Opps deleted------ sorry about that guys

[Dean Romig]

Edited.