Memorial Day, Remembrance and Thanks

[Rick W]

I never had the privilege of official Service, but I appreciate all who have. I support them any way I can, and I grieve for and honor those who have been harmed or who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

It’s easy to play on the day off, and I think people should enjoy life as long as they remember and respect where such freedom comes from. I’m very honored to have been invited to the Memorial Service at the Tennessee Army National Guard Armory in Chattanooga. I can’t think of a better reason, albeit a touch sad, to put on a suit and a Flag pin on a holiday. Play can wait a few hours, but then I’ll enjoy it all the more. I suspect in retrospect, my best memory will be the memorial service and those I meet there.

What we have is extraordinary, great, but it is not free. It takes constant vigilance and service, and unfortunately, sacrifice. My family losses were in WWII. And in wars before that in different countries and cultures, but the service and sacrifice is the same. With His grace, it skipped my generation, but my nephews and their buddies served, fortunately without harm.

I’ll bet a lot of you guys and gals have served. THANK YOU! Please let us know your Service, years and rank, and share a story or two. My thanks in advance, from me and from and for those i love.

And a little military quiz: Starting with the Revolution, there are only two countries that have had soldiers, boots on the ground and at risk, in every armed conflict and war the USA has been involved with. Who are the two countries, and what is the difference between them in these actions?

God Bless America, and our allies, and may He shed His light over the rest.

With respect and gratitude,

Rick W

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Not to steal Rick's thunder, but I'll add my gratitude, to soldiers from both the USA, and my country, Canada. There are a few of you here, THANK YOU for your service.

 

[Rick W]

Not my thunder at all, rare for me, my humility....

 

[mtnrgr]

Salute a soldier this memorial day as we also honor those who have passed. There are alot of veterans in my family who have passed, including my father who was in the Marines for a decade. He did three tours in Vietnam as a scout sniper..rip dad.

 

[Rick W]

SPEAK UP YOU VETS!!! I’m a little surprised more folks didn’t speak up here.

You vets, even if you’re the guy or gal who changed the light bulbs in the basement, you’re all heroes and I honor and respect you. We’re safe and prosperous because of you! Our nation, and mostly our young folks and children need heroes, they need examples of fine service as role models. We need history taught in school, studying icons who created our great nation, not civics or the latest crap. Examples to aspire too, not propaganda that the government is our mother and savior.

So stand up, and tell us what branch, how long you served and your rank, and anything else you care to share. It’s not arrogant. If you catch my point above, you know how to serve, it’s why you did it. Well, we still need you to serve by standing up, tell us a little about it, so we can honor and thank you, and tell our family and children and friends. “I’m on the blog with this guy/gal who....”

& everybody, please also share the story of those close who made the ultimate sacrifice for us, for our nation. They are not “gone” or “lost.” On the contrary, they are eternal, forever vigilant at post for our safety and what our nation stands for.

Finally, I did go to the Tennessee Army National Guard Armory Chattanooga for the Memorial Service. I try to go wherever I happen to be every year, and a couple times when I was overseas, it didn’t take more than a hint for the Americans, Poles and Brits, etc., to plan and perform a simple Remembrance, even if just over a cup of coffee with a prayer.

A lot of them I’ve been to over the years have been in big cities, so they were bigger productions. While always great and moving, also tainted with politicians preaching why they and the expansive government are saving us.

Chattanooga’s service was infinitely more intimate. Regular folks, salt of the earth good people that refresh you like the smell of fresh cut grass. The speakers, soldiers and sailors, many old like me, but also some young folks, embodied all the best. There was only one jerk, who, instead of honoring our fallen and those who serve, gave a detailed resume on all the political appointments and positions she held, paid with our tax dollars, and she actually was directing us how we should think, act and breathe. It was so inappropriate everyone was uncomfortable. Guess what? She was representing the mayor!!!

This Lt Colonel was driving the train, nothing boastful but commanding. The “train” didn’t follow him cuz it was on the tracks. He humbly inspired and led all to come with him on his/their/ our important work. An honor to meet him. I have no idea who the gal was. (I’m the handsome chap on the right).

So speak up you vets, and all give us a remembrance of those ever vigilant at post. (And read President Regan’s quote. He was a great patriot and leader).

 

[Rick W]

& OMG, I forgot the most moving part. As we arrived and mingled and walked through the crowd, I noticed an unusual number of ladies were wearing bright yellow, but I didn’t think about it much. When we sat down, they were in the row right in front of me. There were more than a few.

They were the Golden Star moms and wives, and of course they were honored specially during the service.

I was blubbering like a baby with onion juice in his eyes, and I have a tear as I write this. I can’t even imagine, I don’t have the words. I think I’ll remember each of these gals faces for the rest of my life! Better than being with royalty, so proud, but so sad. Say a prayer for all folks!!!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Dedicated my grandfather's flag to the Court of Honor yesterday. Nice service, had the rear admiral in charge of the nuclear program at Offutt as the guest speaker.

Every year (weather pending) the Court of Honor puts all the flags up around the city cemetery, it is quite a sight.

My great grandfather's (WWI) is already on display.

The new inductees for the last two years, grandpa's is second from the right.

 

[sgtsandman]

I was busy helping with two Memorial Day ceremonies yesterday and I was out of town during the weekend. I'm playing catch up now.

Memorial Day is about and for those who were in uniform and died wearing it. Veterans Day is for those who wore the uniform but have left the service or retired. Armed Forces Day is for those still wearing the uniform.

So, while the thank yous and support are greatly appreciated, yesterday isn't my day or about me. It is for those who wrote the blank check and it got cashed. We honor and remember them for their sacrifice.

Veterans Day, I will be marching in the parade and helping conduct ceremonies as well, again not for me but for those who wrote that check and lived to tell about it.

Neither day is for me but for my comrades deceased and still living, who have already done their time. Yes, I'm a veteran of multiple campaigns but I'm still wearing the uniform. My time is not finished.

 

[Rick W]

@sgtsandman

For conversation and education, certainly not a challenge...

I understand and I certainly defer to your knowledge on such things. I’m sure you realize the things I offer are offered out of complete respect and thanks.

A little devils advocacy for a good cause: Can I throw out a thought for consideration without being disrespectful? I understand the nature and success of military and other forms of service, the strength of the military and public safety service is based on regimentation and discipline. A uniform thread in all of it is an uncanny sense of honor and respect, and I believe that’s where you’re coming from in your comments, and I respect that.

But I think our country is in crisis. I know! We all see how some disrespect the things and people who provide our strength and success and safety, our freedoms. I hope that thought doesn’t upset the blog political police, but here’s my underlying thought, my blatant “ignorance.”

You guys need all the respect and support you can get from any source at any time!! That’s my intention, to respect, honor and protect YOU guys, as strange as that may sound. I believe the more any of us speak up in any manner and any forum or any gathering in support and thanks to educate the truly ignorant (and evil) is currently more critical than at any point in my 66 years here, my family hailing from a place where such things were overthrown by the Nazis and communism.

I hope you understand we’re I’m coming from, even if I’m technically wrong. Geez, it wouldn’t be the first time.

I’m an engineer and personally a results oriented guy to a fault. So I ask/propose this: obviously while my thought was off track, I hope all realize I mean the ultimate respect, only wishing to draw attention to the crisis. You’re on the inside and I agree the details and traditions are critical. So what is the best way for me, us, to support and honor you folks properly, while also “taking advantage” for the broader education of the many who are “confused” by the politics (without discussing the politics)?

 

[sgtsandman]

No offense was taken at all and I understand where you are coming from. The support is indeed appreciated. Especially for those who, shall we say their home coming from Vietnam was less than welcoming.

I was merely trying to educate and redirect the well intended respect. Those who lost brothers in arms are especially focused on the meaning of the day. Often, they were right there when their buddy died.

Again, than you for the support.

 

[Rick W]

Great, Amen! I think the best way we could “resolve” this is by continuing and expanding the discussion in all forums, aspects and media, over the mic, in the classroom and over the mountain tops. To start.

BTW, I appreciate your service.

& wow, Viet Nam. Missed it by the skin of my teeth. It was the last year they had the draft lottery, but the first time they didn’t call anybody. They had it covered with volunteers as it wound down. My birthday came up #6 & they usually started calling the first 120-180. Lottery was in late summer for a January call, and they didn’t announce “no call” until September 19th. You how I remember that date all these years? I can still pinch off a 16-penny nail with my butt hole!

If they called, I would have gone, of course. But by that time, most understood it was a “political statement” much more than a cause we needed to win that we were committed to win. Not that I think any less of our guys and gals.

I was a senior in high school when a lot of the guys returned, some hurt. I knew them as the older guys on the sports teams I was involved with. Of course some did not return. That was the first time I learned that, for you guys, you do what the boss commands, but you do it for the guy or gal next to you when the lead starts flying. What I learned in sports, to the millionth degree.

I’d have gone because of who I am, what our nation and history stands for at the start, then, now and into the future, and from what I learned from guys like you. The things I learned and believed, things I fear are no longer taught in school. But, with gray hair, looking back and understanding what happened, in my personal fog, the whole comradeship and serve the nation for a political position stuff is a hair outweighed by the whole guy shooting at my head thing.

I have trouble walking, back pain, a fuzzy eye, and Mr. Winkie doesn’t salute like he used to, but if they called me today, I’d be there.

We all need to speak up and educate the ignorant and evil here and there with ever vigilance, for ourselves and our community and nation, for our children and their future, and those who eternally stand at post. God bless you, bless us all, bless those who have paid the ultimate price, and may they remain in the palm of His hand for all eturnity.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I was busy helping with two Memorial Day ceremonies yesterday and I was out of town during the weekend. I'm playing catch up now.

Memorial Day is about and for those who were in uniform and died wearing it. Veterans Day is for those who wore the uniform but have left the service or retired. Armed Forces Day is for those still wearing the uniform.

I think there is a bit of a gray area, of all the people whose flags were donated the "newest" one served in Desert Storm and some only served in peacetime.

I think it has kind of evolved to cover servicemen/women that have passed away in general not just in combat.

 

[sgtsandman]

I think there is a bit of a gray area, of all the people whose flags were donated the "newest" one served in Desert Storm and some only served in peacetime.

I think it has kind of evolved to cover servicemen/women that have passed away in general not just in combat.

That may vary from municipality to municipality. I can only speak for mine. We only read the names of those who died in combat. The list is up to 43. Hopefully, the list stays at that number.