Deepest thanks to those who gave all...

nooshinjohn

It is with a humble heart that I say Thank You to our wounded veterans, and those that paid for our freedom by their sacrifice. May God bless them all. Today I will spin som Glenn Miller and other big band sounds to honor my grandfathers, both wounded in Europe during WW2.

Then I will prepare the potato salad the way grandma would and light the grill for some ribs. Before we eat, I will offer up a toast to all the brave men and women that paid our debt so we can be free.

george daniel

RIP Brothers and Sisters

Mikey081057

Amen . May God Bless America

Polkie2009

Thank you John for bringing Memorial Day to our attention. Thanks to all who served and made the supreme sacrifice upon the Alter of Freedom. They gave all their tomorrows for our todays. L'est We Forget.

boston1450

Thank you to all who are/have served our country.... The other day i went for a bike ride & was driving down this road out nowhere & out in the middle of this 20+ acre field was a flag standing proud. It made me think of all the people who have been wounded or died for our freedom. Thank you & god bless america

txcoastal1

vmaxer

nooshinjohn wrote: »

It is with a humble heart that I say Thank You to our wounded veterans, and those that paid for our freedom by their sacrifice. May God bless them all. Today I will spin som Glenn Miller and other big band sounds to honor my grandfathers, both wounded in Europe during WW2.

Then I will prepare the potato salad the way grandma would and light the grill for some ribs. Before we eat, I will offer up a toast to all the brave men and women that paid our debt so we can be free.

Awesome of you John. It us heartbreaking to think about.

pitdogg2

Bless them all

Thank you

mrbigbluelight

Yes, thanks for starting this thread, John.

Memorial Day is for remembering those who didn't come back from answering the call. My dad fought in WWII in the 78th Lightning Division. He was fortunate that, for the most part, he made it back. I say, "for the most part".

He was involved in the battle of the Hurtgen Forest which took place from Sept of 1944 to Feb of 1945. The Hürtgen Forest cost the U.S. First Army at least 33,000 killed and wounded, including both combat and non-combat losses; German casualties were 28,000. "Tree burst" artillery wasn't introduced during the Battle of the Bulge, it was common occurrence at Hurtgen. Mines were everywhere. One 3-mile stretch of fire trail was found to have a mine every 8 feet.

One of the US soldiers killed was nicknamed "Pops" because he was "old" (28). He had tripped a mine in the middle of a field and was severely wounded on Christmas Eve of 1944. He didn't succumb to his wounds until later the next evening. During that time ,he called out for help constantly but no help could reach him for fear of German snipers. Some soldiers had to be restrained from trying to reach "Pops"; my dad, a Combat Medic, was one of them.
"Pops" didn't make it back. My dad did, for the most part.

It's been said that "No man hath greater love than he who layeth down his life for his friends".

BUT: While reading, again, of the Hurtgen Forest, I came across something interesting that I was unaware of. It gave me an appreciation for honorable soldiers on both sides of the conflict.

It is a plaque. Commisioned by the 22nd United States Infantry Society. The top of the plaque reads:

"No man hath greater love than he who layeth down his life for his enemy".

The brief story behind the plaque:
"On November 12, 1944, Lt. Friedrich Lengfeld was commanding a beleaguered German rifle company. Like most units on both sides,he had suffered heavy casualties. Early that morning, a wounded American could be heard calling from the middle of a German minefield in a no man's land separating the combatants. "Help me" the man cried. His unit had withdrawn , however, and no U.S. troops were close enough to hear. Lengfeld ordered his men not to shoot if Americans came to rescue the man. But none came. The soldier's weakening voice was heard for hours. "Help me" he called, again and again. At about 10:30 that morning, Lengfeld could bear the cries no longer. He formed a rescue squad, complete with Red Cross vests and flags, and led his men toward the wounded American.
He never made it. Approaching the soldier, he stepped on a land mine, and the exploding metal fragments tore deeply into his body.
Eight hours later Lengfeld is dead. "

For an enemy.

"Pops" didn't make it back.
Lt. Fiedrich Lenfeld didn't make it back.
My dad did, for the most part.

So Memorial Day is meant to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Without denigrating that intention, I choose to honor and remember all who have served their countries honorably in combat, whether they came back in a coffin, wounded, or "whole".
Which is why I also remember and pray for those who come back from current conflicts who, for whatever reason, choose to end their lives at the rate of 22 a day.

Here's a picture of the Lenfeld plaque:



I think my dad would approve. No, I know he would.

vmaxer

Thanks for sharing that. @mrbigbluelight

polk500

Thank you @mrbigbluelight a very moving story, the poem below is one that comes to mind when these days come round whether it's Memorial Day, Veterans Day (Remembrance Day in Canada and most Commonwealth Countries)
A very moving poem that says so much.
Lest we Forget.


In Flanders Fields
John McCrae, 1872 - 1918

He wrote it for a friend who died on May 3,1915
Who had died a few days before in the 2nd battle of Ypres

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.

rpf65

Being a vet, I have my personal ritual to honor those that serve, have served, and sacrificed for this nation.

When I was in the military, I always stood duty on Christmas and Thanksgiving. I was 3000 miles from home and not married. I took a married mans duty to allow him to spend those days with his family.

The wives and mothers always remembered that little gesture, and I always had multiple meals brought to me. I just think many people forget that the families of those who have or are serving also sacrifice much more than most people realize.

Since my time in the military, I've always thought that these people have been largely over looked, and for the most part forgotten.

It's been almost 30 years, but I can still recall wives, children, mothers, and fathers wrapping their arms around that loved one for minutes at a time. Just glad that they came home safe.

I guess what I'm trying to say with this ramble, it isn't only the men and women who serve that should be honored on this day. Their families that have stood by them should also be honored. Funny as it may sound, just the thought of somebody caring about you can make a huge difference.

Personally it wasn't only about God and Country that I served. It was also to protect my loved ones.

I also have a special place in my heart for those who didn't make it from that horrendous incident in Oct of 1983. I knew 3 of those Marines, and I will never forget them.

A parent should never have to bury their child. So yes, this may be a day to honor those that have fallen. We also should have a special prayer, or thought for those that lost a loved one.

lightman1

https://youtu.be/UUZHTE1jMXg
Salute!

nooshinjohn

Thank you for that Russ... My eyes are leaking after that one.

lightman1

nooshinjohn wrote: »

Thank you for that Russ... My eyes are leaking after that one.

Leaking!...I was crying.
Thanks to you and your brothers and sisters in arms.

Moose68Bash

nooshinjohn wrote: »

It is with a humble heart that I say Thank You to our wounded veterans, and those that paid for our freedom by their sacrifice. May God bless them all. Today I will spin som Glenn Miller and other big band sounds to honor my grandfathers, both wounded in Europe during WW2.

Then I will prepare the potato salad the way grandma would and light the grill for some ribs. Before we eat, I will offer up a toast to all the brave men and women that paid our debt so we can be free.

Amen, @nooshinjohn.

My wife and I (with out two daughters before they moved away) always attend our small town's Memorial Day service. Today, it was int he Fire Station, because it was raining.

When the bugle sounds taps, it always brings tears to my eyes.

God bless those who laid down their lives to protect our country and our freedom.

God bless their families, who have had to carry on without their loved ones.

We are blessed because of their courage, honor, and strength.

scottyboy76

As a member of the "Old Guard" unit in d.c. in the 70s, we had the honor of rising very early on memorial day, placing small flags in front of every headstone in Arlington cemetery.

It was a beautiful but sad sight, about an hour after dawn people began to trickle in and give their respects.

It was a true honor.