I do not seek to inflame any undesirable thoughts.....rather I seek to have contributions on a more personal basis.....we all know or know of someone(s) who should be mentioned here.....let us post that in the spirit of those who gave all.....that LIBERTY is worth the price.....

Let me then be the first

1984 work-ups for the USS Saratoga, CV-60.....we had an A-7 Corsair that dropped off the radar.....the day before we pulled into port.....the loss weighed heavily on the entire Ship and air wing.....there were banners up at his home the day before....."Welcome Home Daddy".....his kids were waiting.....

My friends, understand this.....he was willing to pay the price for LIBERTY.....even if it was the ultimate price.....

Does this get tears.....God, I hope so.....rather.....I want more sharing.....and commitment.....

Hershal

Yes.. it got tears. Mine.

For the veterans... from WWI to our current engagements; for the men and women who returned, and for those that didn't; for the sacrifices, sleepless nights, Love and dedication of the families of our military; for what it's worth:

Thank you.

Have a good Memorial Day.

To

My dad...as a result of Viet Nam we were robbed too early of him.

The 40+ men I went to boot camp with who were lost and didn't get to grow old like me.

The guys I served with and had dreams never fulfilled.

All the others from 1775 onward.....THANKS!

A reminder as to why we have a Memorial Day. It really isn’t another excuse to have a four-day weekend.

If you’ve ever seen the painting “Reflections” of the Vietnam Wall in Washington, you’ve seen the man standing there with his hand on the wall, mourning his dead father or brother who was killed. What he doesn’t see is the reflection from the other side showing that relative with HIS hand on the wall, touching the hand of his survivor. That painting inspired this story.

FROM THE OTHER SIDE
By Patrick Camunes

”There are so many things that are written about the Wall but never anything of being on the other side. I was inspired by the picture Reflections that I use as wallpaper on my PC and a recent story, Autumn Wall.”

At first there was no place for us to go until someone put up that Black Granite Wall. Now, everyday and night, my Brothers and my Sisters wait to see the many people from places afar file in front of this Wall. Many stopping briefly and many for hours and some that come on a regular basis. It was hard at first, not that it’s gotten any easier, but it seems that many of the attitudes towards that war that we were involved in have changed. I can only pray that the ones on the other side have learned something and more Wall’s as this one needn’t be built.

Several members of my unit and many that I did not recognize have called me to the Wall by touching my name that is engraved upon it. The tears aren’t necessary but are hard even for me to hold back.

Don’t feel guilty for not being with me, my Brothers. This was my destiny as it is yours, to be on that side of the Wall.

Touch the Wall, my Brothers, so that we can share in the memories that we had. I have learned to put the bad memories aside and remember only the pleasant times that we had together. Tell our other Brothers out there to come and visit me, not to say Good Bye but to say Hello and be together again, even for a short time and to ease that pain of loss that we all share.

Today, an irresistible and loving call comes from the Wall. As I approach I can see an elderly lady and as I get closer I recognize her.......its Momma! As much as I have looked forward to this day, I have also regretted it because I didn’t know what reaction I would have.

Next to her, I suddenly see my wife and immediately think how hard it must of been for her to come to this place and my mind floods with the pleasant memories of 30 years past. There’s a young man in a military uniform standing with his arm around her......My God!......It’s...it has to be my son. Look at him trying to be the man without a tear in his eye. I yearn to tell him how proud I am, seeing him standing tall, straight and proud in his uniform.

Momma comes closer and touches the Wall and I feel the soft and gentle touch I had not felt in so many years. Dad has crossed to this side of the Wall and through our touch, I try to convey to her that Dad is doing fine and is no longer suffering or feeling pain. I see my wife’s courage building as she sees Momma touch the Wall and she approaches and lays her hand on my waiting hand.

All the emotions, feelings and memories of three decades past flash between our touch and I tell her that it’s all right. Carry on with your life and don’t worry about me......I can see as I look into her eyes that she hears and understands me and a big burden has been lifted from her.

I watch as they lay flowers and other memories of my past. My lucky charm that was taken from me and sent to her by my CO, a tattered and worn teddy bear that I can barely remember having as I grew up as a child and several medals that I had earned and were presented to my wife. One of them is the Combat Infantry Badge that I am very proud of and I notice that my son is also wearing this medal. I had earned mine in the jungles of Vietnam and he had probably earned his in the deserts of Iraq.

I can tell that they are preparing to leave and I try to take a mental picture of them together, because I don’t know when I will see them again. I wouldn’t blame them if they were not to return and can only thank them that I was not forgotten. My wife and Momma near the Wall for one final touch and so many years of indecision, fear and sorrow are let go. As they turn to leave I feel my tears that had not flowed for so many years, form as if dew drops on the other side of the Wall.

They slowly move away with only a glance over their shoulder. My son suddenly stops and slowly returns. He stands straight and proud in front of me and snaps a salute.

Something makes him move to the Wall and he puts his hand upon the Wall and touches my tears that had formed on the face of the Wall and I can tell that he senses my presence there and the pride and the love that I have for him. He falls to his knees and the tears flow from his eyes and I try my best to reassure him that it’s all right and the tears do not make him any less of a man.

As he moves back wiping the tears from his eyes, he silently mouths, God Bless you, Dad...... God Bless, YOU, Son...... We WILL meet someday but in the meanwhile, go on your way...... There is no hurry.......There is no hurry at all.. As I see them walk off in the distance, I yell out to THEM and EVERYONE there today, as loud as I can,.........THANKS FOR REMEMBERING and as others on this side of the Wall join in, I notice that the US Flag that so proudly flies in front of us everyday, is flapping and standing proudly straight out in the wind today..................................

THANK YOU ALL FOR REMEMBERING.........

I salute my high school friend and buddy, John Visser, who made the ultimate sacrifice in Viet Nam. I often think how my life would have been different if I would have been able to share it with him. I went to the wall in D.C. several years ago and found his name. When I touched it I almost fell apart. It was almost like 40 years of being apart was gone. We all sure miss him.

Doug

God Bless the AMERICAN SOLDIER

How right you guys are! One unfortunate aspect is that we are losing more and more of these good people everyday and their stories will no longer be heard. It is important, for any nation, to understand where they came from and hear the voices of those who were instrumental during the times of struggle.

I remember hearing the stories of my Grandfathers and his brothers who served during WWII. I just still wish they were around for my son to hear their stories.

The most amazing thing about the vast majority of these men and women that served, is how humble they are regarding their roles. How often we hear that they were just doing what was necessary, doing their job, or how anybody in their shoes would have done the same thing.

The least we can do for their sacrifice is to remember the stories of those that have passed, and more importantly, listen to the stories of those still with us. The lessons we can learn from them is far better then anything that could ever be learned in the classroom.

Wayne

I can't say that I've lost a family member to any past or current military conflict. What I can say is that my heart goes out to all the servicemen/women who have served or are currently serving for their country.

My thoughts are constantly with the soldiers currently serving, and with those who have served, who have sacrificed. Randy, your story was particularly touching, I have always wanted to make that trip, to honor those inspiring souls such as your father and the friends that you have lost.

I truly believe that the best way we can honor their sacrifice is to live our lives to the best of our abilities, to love our lives, and to remember and appreciate their sacrifice. It is their sacrifice which has enabled each of us to wake up to a beautiful day, enjoy the love of our friends and family, and enjoy the freedoms which they have protected. Memorial day is a reminder that we should never forget them, and in turn we should never take the freedoms of our own lives for granted.

Thanks for posting this thread Hershal, it is often important to take a moment to step out of our daily lives and routines and remember that there is a world beyond just us, and that so many have worked, and sacrificed, to create and shelter all that we have and love.

Anyone that is really interested in honoring veterans should check out this web site: www.patriotguard.org . I am a member. The Patriot Guard does many wonderful things for fallen soldiers, wounded soildiers, families of soldiers who have been wounded or died and honoring veterans.

The idea of serving in the armed forces and risking--or losing--one's life transcends the vicissitudes of politics that might otherwise divide us. We owe a debt to those who have served in the past, and those currently serving, and it's a debt that will never be fully repaid. All we can do is offer our gratitude and recognition, and hope for a better world.

Someone from every generation in my family has served in the US armed forces. My great-grandfather served in the Army in WWI, my grandfather served in the Army in WWII, my uncle was drafted into the Army and served in Vietnam, and my little brother spent about a year and a half in Kosovo with the National Guard.
We have been fortunate that all our loved ones came home alive. My grandfather did take a shot in the knee and came home with a purple heart, but he came home breathing, which is more than a lot of families can say.
Thank you to all the brave men and women who serve, or have served, in the United States armed forces, and especially to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Even Spider-Man and Batman would be proud to call you Heroes!

Ditto to Benjamin's post. I was going to post a quick Memorial Day post, and ran across that one from Hershal. I thought it would be appropriate for us to remember his fallen comrades, and the comrades of the other veterans here.

Here is a free download for the song. Regardless of the political undercurrents it is a beautiful song. Third one down on the list.

http://www.efolkmusic.org/ArtMusic/ViewDownload.aspx?AID=297#

In memory of High School buds that gave their all in Vietnam. The tears I weep are not for me, but for the families that never forget the love you brought in the short time you were with them.

THANK YOU!

Okay, I am posting for the Wolf Pack Maintenance Team in Iraq. We sent them a company banner with employee signatures and messages of "Thanks for all you do", t-shirts, hats, etc. They were beyond ecstatic...

Here is their request and their response after receiving the "stuff" we sent to them:

Response:
We took a picture or two and the guys are motivated. Word got around pretty fast. My guys would like to start by saying, "Thanks for the banner, we plan on keeping it with us when we go home. The hats with autograph will be the topic of talk at our coming home party. The shirts along with the hats will be worn to the next car show at Richmond Speedway, VA. Please thank everyone on staff, your friends and family for the gifts. We will be mailing something back, so keep an eye out for it.


Thank you,
Wolf Pack Maintenance Team and Chief

Request:
My guys do maintenance on the vehicles that support ours troops 24 hours a day. I am writing to ask if it is possible for my guys to get an Edelbrock Banner to hang up in our parts department. We call in PLL, but it is basically the same, just don't have any of the shinning parts the guys like. Maybe signed by the staff of Edelbrock. It would mean a lot to the Soldiers. Thank you in advance. By the way, I only use Edelbrock Intakes for all my customs. I tell them if they want the best, there is only one Edelbrock.

Address:
Mike Mixon/Chief
148th QM Co.
FOB Q-West, Iraq
APO AE 09351

V/R,

MIKE MIXON
WO1, OD
Picture (Metafile)

BDOC/148th QM CO.
Maintenance Tech.
FOB Q-West, Iraq

Like a lot of Americans there are times when I take my freedom for granted.

Where I forget that it's only a right here, because we've taken ownership of the priviledge.

I do remember that my grandfather served as a colonel in the Army during World War II.
My uncle in Korea, some cousins in Vietnam.
I'm appreciative of their service and sacrifice.

I read my Yahoo world news everyday to remind myself that I'm one of the luckiest people around. I live in America.

I sing a little karaoke and one of the songs on my latest 'to learn' list is Toby Keith's "American Soldier".
I have trouble singing it though, because I well up when I feel the lyrics.

Here they are, maybe you'll feel the same way:

TOBY KEITH LYRICS

"American Soldier"

I'm just trying to be a father,
Raise a daughter and a son,
Be a lover to their mother,
Everything to everyone.
Up and at 'em bright and early,
I'm all business in my suit,
Yeah, I'm dressed for success from my head down to my boots,
I don't do it for money, there's still bills that I can't pay,
I don't do it for the glory, I just do it anyway,
Providing for our future's my responsibility,
Yeah I'm real good under pressure, being all that I can be,
And I can't call in sick on Mondays when the weekends been to strong,
I just work straight through the holidays,
And sometimes all night long.
You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door,
Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady, hey I'm true down to the core,
And I will always do my duty, no matter what the price,
I've counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice,
Oh, and I don't want to die for you,
But if dying's asked of me,
I'll bear that cross with an honor,
'Cause freedom don't come free.
I'm an American soldier, an American,
Beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand,
When liberty's in jeopardy I will always do what's right,
I'm out here on the front lines, so sleep in peace tonight.
American soldier, I'm an American,
An American,
An American Soldier

Have a safe and happy memorial day. Remember the fallen.

Brian Pettera

As rough as it has been at work today (yeah, one of them) it is nice to think how much worse LOTS of others have it who live in places where freedom is unknown. The big difference is that, from the late 1700s on, there have been "common" Americans who have shared a dream and made the sacrifice. Bless 'em all.

For all of the vets here on the Cove,

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOD BLESS ALL OUR TROOPS, WOUNDED, FALLEN, PAST AND PRESENT. THANKS FOR GIVING US OUR FREEDOM.

Randy your post brought tears to my eyes. Nevers seen the painting reflections, until today. So for all those who too haven't yet seen it, or better yet, want to put an imagine with Randy's moving post. I have attached a picture of the painting.

Once agiain THANKS to all those who helped and continue to help keep America FREE. :applause:

As an FYI - This looks to be a good show:

D-Day Vets
Bill Moyers Journal SPECIAL (http://www.pbs.org/moyers)

PBS Airtime: Sunday May 27, 2007 at 9:00 p.m. EDT on PBS (check local listings at www.pbs.org/moyers).

This special edition of Bill Moyers Journal features D-Day veterans in the poignant "D-Day Revisited," which explores the sometimes painful memories of their wartime experiences.

As America honors heroes who have fought and fallen for their nation, Bill Moyers Journal presents "D-Day Revisited," a special one-hour broadcast following a group of World War II veterans back to Europe to speak about their wartime experiences - some of them unlocking memories they had been keeping inside for nearly 50 years. Featuring excerpts from the Bill Moyers 1990 "From D-Day to the Rhine" documentary, "D-Day Revisited" includes the latest information about the veterans featured in the film, who talked with Bill Moyers about their memories, their values and their commitment to America.