To All That Served and Didn't Come Home

Polkersince85

Thank You. Your families are in my prayers today.

george daniel

God bless all of the men and women who have served our nation,especially those that paid the ultimate price. Freedom is not without cost,, God Bless.

Conradicles

george daniel wrote: »

God bless all of the men and women who have served our nation,especially those that paid the ultimate price. Freedom is not without cost,, God Bless.

You took the words out of my mouth.
Over 650,000 people have died to protect this country since we set foot in this great land. This day is very special.

reeltrouble1

May God Bless each soldier and their family. So many made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us to enjoy life here, I truly feel humbled by the commitment these men and women make.

RT1

Fireman32

george daniel wrote: »

God bless all of the men and women who have served our nation,especially those that paid the ultimate price. Freedom is not without cost,, God Bless.

Ditto!

Shannon W.

Could not have said it any better!

Used to thank my father all the time! RIP Pops!

And thanks to all the vets that have served and are currently serving! Its because of you we can enjoy this day of remembrance and celebration!

Shannon

TNRabbit

Text of the speech delivered by Lt. Col. Will Culbreath at the Sunday, May 30, 2010 Memorial Day service at the First Presbyterian Church in Marion:

Good afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. Let me first say I am absolutely humbled and honored to be in the very presence of so many veterans and their families. Thank you for your service and all the sacrifices you and your families have made to keep America free and preserve our way of life.

As many of you know, there are ten federal holidays. The fourth of those, which actually occurs tomorrow, is the one we are gathered to remember today. It is a truly special day of remembrance because it is the one forged in the blood of over 1,314,000 American military lives. That, my friends, is the number of Americans who have died in the various conflicts that gave birth to, and have sustained, our great nation.

Allow me to put that in some sort of perspective:

* That’s larger than the current population of 10 of our 50 states.
* That’s more people than live in either San Diego, CA or Dallas, TX.
* That’s 30 times the size of the population of McDowell County, NC.
* And every single one of those lives mattered to someone.....and especially…..to all of us.

Memorial Day has always been a special day to me because of my own family’s military ancestry. Beginning with the very idea of our independence from Great Britain, I am proud to say my own family has been just one of many to answer the call. Culbreaths have fought in the American Revolution, War of 1812, Seminole Indian Wars, Mexican War, War Between the States, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Among those that made the ultimate sacrifice along the way was 25-year old Private John Culbreath, Confederate States of America, who was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, on June 2, 1864. He was my great-great uncle. Private Eric J. Culbreath, a cousin, was killed on July 20, 1918 at the battle of Soissons during World War I. He was 23-years old. And these were but two of at least nine Culbreaths who have died fighting for this great country and the freedoms we enjoy. I know many of you can share similar stories of your ancestors as well.

There are many thoughts as to the actual beginning of what we now call Memorial Day. There is a great deal of evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves well before the end of the War Between the States.

After that war, local springtime tributes to the war’s dead were held in various places around the country. One of the first occurred in Columbus, Mississippi in April of 1866 when a group of women visited a cemetery to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers who had fallen in battle at Shiloh. Located nearby were the graves of Union soldiers, neglected of course because they were the enemy. But disturbed at the sight of the bare graves, the women placed some of their flowers on those graves as well.

Today, several cities in both the North and the South claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. Both Macon and Columbus, Georgia, claim the title, as well as Richmond, Virginia. The village of Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, claims it began there and a stone in a Carbondale, Illinois cemetery carries the statement that the first remembrance ceremony took place there.

All told, approximately 25 places have been named in connection with the origin of Memorial Day, many of them in the South where most of the war dead were buried.

Regardless of all these claims, three years after the War Between the States ended, on May 5th, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans established “Decoration Day” as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. It was declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30th. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country. The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery.

The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York and, by 1890, it was recognized in all of the northern states. The South at first refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War

I, when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the War Between the States to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war.

Memorial Day is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May although at least nine southern states still have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead.

I am hopeful that it will continue to be honored, and observed as scheduled by the local school system, and not the just another holiday sacrificed in the event of “snow days”. I feel that sends a pretty powerful message to our young people when we sacrifice it first.

Folks, as we approach Memorial Day 2010, we’re gathered on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in relative safety and peaceful tranquility. When this service ends, we’ll leave and go home to our families. Our biggest worry is how many pieces of fried chicken we’ll eat for lunch, when we’ll take our afternoon nap and what Gabie will do on Desperate Housewives tonight.

At this very moment, halfway around the world in some of the most desolate places you can ever imagine, Americans are fighting and dying in the name of freedom. To date, over 5,400 American servicemen and women have died fighting our global war on terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq. Whether you personally feel it or not, whether you personally support it or not, your country is at war and we’ve asked these folks to carry a heavy burden for us.

There are still some who think we should have done nothing after 9/11 and many are very vocally opposed to any military action. Herein lies the beauty of America – you can disagree peaceably if you so choose. Our own Constitution guarantees those freedoms of expression and assembly. But it is important to remember what Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, a USMC sergeant, once wrote,

“It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.”

These young men and women serving abroad and at home today carry on a proud legacy and bravely perform their duties just the same as those who fought in the Argonne Forest, on the beaches of Normandy, in the Chosin Reservoir, at Khe Sanh, on the island of Grenada or in the streets of Panama.
(continued)

TNRabbit

(part 2)

When I retired after 28 years of military service this past September, I was asked what the highlight of my career was. I didn’t have to think about that one very long. Without a doubt, it was the fact that I had the absolute privilege of serving with the very best America has to offer. There simply is no more honorable calling than serving in the defense of this great nation and there are no more honorable men and women than those serving today.

Yet, despite what some think, peace and safety can’t just be hoped for. You can’t simply smile, shake hands, bow, make eloquent speeches and expect the rest of the world to embrace us in a big group hug. Sometimes, you have to step up to the plate and sacrifice, and, in the world we live in, that sometimes means Americans have to fight……and often die…..in the name of freedom. That’s reality, folks. That’s just the world we live in.

Unlike some of our leaders, I actually like, and appreciate the fact America is the world’s dominant military superpower. Having actually served my country abroad, I am worldly enough to realize that only strength is recognized by those who would threaten us. Weakness is not now, nor will it ever be.

Our best hope is to make our current and future enemies understand how devastating it can be to attack America or our friends or even threaten our way of life. We have to deal with our enemies from a position of strength. That’s all they understand or respect. And we have to deal with them before they strike us. It’s much better to do that on their soil, rather than letting them, or their cronies, come to ours.

We are fortunate to live in the greatest country on earth. There’s something special about America. We have something no other nation has ever had, or will ever have again. But there are those who hate us because of that. They hate us because of our success and our excess. And they want us wiped off the face of the earth.

I’m actually very disturbed to hear that there are people in this country who feel it inappropriate to display the American flag because they’re in a public place or they’re in the public eye. I’ve even heard of some Americans who want to remove pro-American stickers and banners from our workplaces and schools so as not to offend someone.

Well, I am personally offended that these people still call themselves Americans. And I actually pity anyone who thinks they are ever going to remove my flag.

Because this beloved flag of ours is the symbol of all that is good about this country.

That’s right. America is good because America is more than a place; America is an idea. It is an idea lived, and fought for, by a people. We are America, and this flag is our symbol. We may be imperfect in many ways, but we continue to strive toward the same ideals our forefathers laid down for us over 230 years ago. And despite our problems, we are the greatest beacon of freedom, charity, hope and opportunity the world has ever known.

There are many people in this nation who have never been abroad, or in harm’s way, and seen that flag upon their return. Those poor souls can never know the deep pride and honor one feels to see it wave, to know that there is still a good old’ USA. This flag is the most powerful, and emotional, symbol of our greatness as a country.

This flag is our history, our dreams, and our accomplishments, indelibly expressed in beautiful red, white and blue. Although it had many less stars, it was carried in our Revolutionary War. It persevered and evolved throughout a war we had no right to believe we could win. But we did, and we built a country around it.

Years later, this flag, tattered and battle-worn, waved proudly from the mast, as John Paul Jones showed our enemy what true resolve was.

This banner was raised by the hands of brave men on a God-forsaken island called Iwo Jima, and became a part of the most famous photograph of the 20th Century. Those men are all dead now, but their legacy lives on in the Marine Memorial in Washington, DC. Those of you who have seen it will recall that inscribed within the stone monument are the words - “When Uncommon Valor Was a Common Virtue” - I don’t believe you’ll see the words, “it was easy,” inscribed anywhere on it.

This flag has been to the moon, planted there for all time by men with a vision, and the courage to see it through.

United under this flag, this nation, this melting pot of humanity, this free republic, must be preserved. This idea that is America is important enough to be defended…...fought for…...and even died for. The enemy fears what we have, for if their people ever taste liberty, tyrannical dictatorships will cease to exist.

How can they ever understand this country of ours, so self-indulgent and diverse, yet so united in the defense of its principles when threatened or attacked? This is the greatest country in the world because brave people sacrificed to make it that way.

We’re a collective mix of greatness and greed, hi-tech and heartland. We are the country of Mickey Mouse and Mickey Mantle; from John Smith and Pocahontas to John Glenn and an Atlas booster; from Charles Lindbergh to Charlie Brown; from Moby Dick to Microsoft. We’re a nation that went from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina to Tranquility Base on the moon in less than 70 years. We are blue grass and rock and roll, Marvel comic books and the Bill of Rights. Quite honestly, we are what everyone else wants to be.

Our enemies will never understand the dichotomy of our society, but they should understand this; once threatened, we will act decisively; once attacked, we will bandage our wounds, we will bury our dead; and then we will come for you.......and we will destroy you and all you stand for.

I read a passage a long time ago I would like to share with you: “We are pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” That is from II Corinthians. Not too long ago it would have been politically incorrect to quote from the Bible. As many of you already knew, I am so happy to be politically incorrect and I am so proud to be an American.

We have to continue to rally around the flag and our past, present and future troops. And for those who continue to protest in these difficult times, I only have one request. Tonight, before you go to sleep, get down on your knees and thank God there are American servicemen and women out there guaranteeing your right to do just that.

In tribute to those service members who have served and those still enduring incredible hardships so we can continue our comfortable daily lives, I’d like to close with a quote from Shakespeare’s Henry V:

“Whoever does not have the stomach for this fight, let him depart. Give him money to speed his departure since we wish not to die in that man’s company. Whoever lives past today and comes home safely will rouse himself every year on this day, show his neighbor his scars, and tell embellished stories of all their great feats of battle. These stories will teach his son and from this day until the end of the world we shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for whoever has shed his blood with me shall be my brother. And those men afraid to go will think themselves lesser men as they hear of how we fought and died together.”

Never, never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Never let your children or their children or their children forget. For when we cease to remember, we dishonor all who came before us and we doom all who come after us. America deserves better.

Thank you all for coming today. May God bless each of you and your families; may God bless all those who have served and are currently serving and may God continue to bless the greatest nation the world has ever known.

thsmith

I can not add much that has not already been said.

God bless our troops and the American spirit !

Be safe and keep you head down and rely on your training. It will serve you well.

hearingimpared

Awesome speech and awesome Americans! God Bless all who have served and are still serving, but God holds those that died for the Ameican Idea! For that I give thanks.

F1nut

God Bless.

treitz3

Amen.

HB27

Remember. It's simple not to think about the sacrifices of the brave souls that have laid down their lives for our country.
I went to the cemetary today and saw too many families laying flags on graves. Young families.
It's not just our military personnel that sacrifice all.
To all our past, present, and future defenders of our freedoms and the freedom for all I thank you for giving your all.
Rest in peace and be proud of your deeds.
Our debt to you is immeasurable

Sherardp

I remember.............God Bless. Thanks to those who have served and are currently serving today. Semper Fi.

falcon377

God bless all, and the family's at home, they also make a sacrifice that most would never understand.

hearingimpared

falcon377 wrote: »

God bless all, and the family's at home, they also make a sacrifice that most would never understand.

. . . or could deal with for that matter! I know I'd be a quaking mess if my son was in Afganistan or Iraq.