In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Memorial Day

Discussion in 'As You Were' started by RCBS, May 27, 2016.

  1. RCBS

    RCBS

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2016
    Messages:
    3,677
    Likes Received:
    16,846
    Location:
    Right where I need to be.
    I have been fortunate to have not lost any loved ones in war, but there are many who cannot say the same.

    Great numbers of Our finest Americans lay resting the world over because they were defending this Nation, It's values and Our way of life. The lay in France, England, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Africa, The Philippines, Panama and Mexico. These soldiers never made it back to their homes so I could live free in in mine. Even more rest in their native soil having been returned here to be buried or giving their life fighting their fellow Countrymen, on their own soil during our bloodiest conflict. Still more lay in unmarked, unknown graves wherever their Country needed them to fight.

    Memorial Day is often just seen as "a 3-day weekend" by many these days, forgetting that the day is to Honor our fallen Soldiers and their sacrifices for this Nation and for You & I. We should always remember and Honor these Americans not just on Memorial Day, but especially on Memorial Day.

    I encourage the members here to observe a moment of pause at 3pm on May 30 to remember and reflect on the tremendous amount of Americans who have given their life in the name of Liberty and Freedom.

    A lake of blood has been spilled for those of us who remain...we should never take that for granted.

    Memorial Day | In Memory of Our Honored Dead

    :usa:
     
    Chaz, TurboDiesel, WeldrDave and 3 others like this.
  2. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2015
    Messages:
    23,562
    Likes Received:
    133,134
    Location:
    US
    Very moving, RCBS. So true.:salute: :usa:
     
    Chaz, TurboDiesel, WeldrDave and 3 others like this.
  3. savemoney

    savemoney

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2013
    Messages:
    13,186
    Likes Received:
    66,859
    Location:
    Chelsea Maine
    Tough day, when you give it thought as to its true meaning. I don't think it is taught in school anymore. Kids have no idea. Some even think that dropping the bomb on Japan was some evil deed. They have no clue about how Japan waged war on so many other countries, or about the armed balloons that drifted across the pacific and exploded on the West Coast and in Canada. No clue about Japan's invasion of China.
    At our Vets center, we get together with WWII, Korean, VietNam and Middle East Veterans. Their stories are what should be being taught in school. When our children fail to lean from our past experiences, they are prone to repeat them.
     
    Chaz, TurboDiesel, WeldrDave and 3 others like this.
  4. RCBS

    RCBS

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2016
    Messages:
    3,677
    Likes Received:
    16,846
    Location:
    Right where I need to be.
    I feel strongly about the loss of life of our Service Men & Women more all the time. The craziness that I see on the TV and Internet news makes me think that a lot of our citizens couldn't give a hoot about even their own relatives who've given their lives for Our Flag. To so hastily and blatantly alter the core values of the United States those who died were fighting for. Are we so bad that we need to change so much? Would those same people be willing to give their lives these days? I sometimes regret never having served. The very least I can do is show utmost respect to those who are, have and those who have given their lives.

    Despite all the BS, I still love my country very much. :salute:
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2016
    Chaz, TurboDiesel, WeldrDave and 3 others like this.
  5. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2015
    Messages:
    23,562
    Likes Received:
    133,134
    Location:
    US
    Agreement continues. I too regret not serving our Country, bud. I'm with ya in all you've expressed, as many, many here are as well.:handshake:
     
    Chaz, WeldrDave, savemoney and 2 others like this.
  6. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    19,207
    Likes Received:
    98,393
    Location:
    KC Metro
    :handshake:... Very true RCBS .... :usa:....
     
    Chaz, WeldrDave, RCBS and 1 other person like this.
  7. oldspartantrader

    oldspartantrader

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2015
    Messages:
    317
    Likes Received:
    1,711
    Location:
    Northern NY
    By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

    [​IMG]
    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


    Composed at the battlefront on May 3, 1915
    during the second battle of Ypres, Belgium
     
    Chaz, WeldrDave, Eric VW and 2 others like this.
  8. mike holton

    mike holton

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2013
    Messages:
    472
    Likes Received:
    1,398
    Location:
    Old Dominion
    my little tribute is to don my dog tags for the weekend. I've worn them every year over Memorial day weekend (and Veterans day) since I left the military. I keep them under my shirt mind you as I am not wearing them to attract any fanfare to myself, rather as a personal reminder of buddies I served with who are no longer with us as well as those who preceded me.
     
    Chaz, WeldrDave, savemoney and 3 others like this.
  9. stuckinthemuck

    stuckinthemuck

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    3,089
    Likes Received:
    14,315
    Location:
    Wandering around in the NH woods.
  10. Sourwood

    Sourwood

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2018
    Messages:
    1,723
    Likes Received:
    13,011
    Location:
    Popcorn, IN
    I was recently reading a book written by my great-uncle. He mentioned as a child tending family grave sites in the Society of Friends cemetary. One of them he was tending had a flaag on it.

    He asked his mother why it was there. Her grandfather, though a Quaker, served in the civil war and died. He doesnt mention the name, and he has passed on.

    I have contacted family to try to get his name. Havent heard back.

    Reached out to the county historical society, but they cant grasp a simple concept- can you tell me the name of Civil War dead in that particular cemetary? Keep getting responses like "even with a name, the religion wont be recorded" its a Quaker cemetary, there is likely only one flag planted there each Memorial Day. Alas, I have an associate from that County helping.

    I hope to ensure proper care of the grave is maintained and pay my respects. Plus research his record. Once I have a name, I can confirm by looking at the marriage rolls. Family has those.

    One of my command lost a 3x great grandfather near Vicksburg. We had a conference in New Orleans last month. Drove back that way, and paid a visit and left a challenge coin there.

    I lost my brother in peace time, so this day emits a degree of emotion. Other family members survived D day, Tarawa, but came home. Now that I have information of a descendant who left family and felt fighting for a just cause superceded his Faith, I am also proud.
     
  11. WeldrDave

    WeldrDave Military Outpost Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2013
    Messages:
    9,278
    Likes Received:
    48,415
    Location:
    The Communist Socialist Republic of New Jersey
    Bretheran, Let us not forget all those who have came before us! And those will go on and carry out our Countries needs. God bless all of you and mostly God bless our brothers and sisters who cannot join us today.

    I salute you and raise my glass that you may be in Gods hands! :salute::cheers::usa: