Memorial Weekend

Yup. Thank you to all! I have a new 50 star flag and poll and a old 48 star flag from my parents estate that needs to see the sun.

thank you.

Along with the brats and beer, remember our absent comrades

I was discharged in October of 1975 and I have been thanking the US Army ever since - a GI Bill paid four years of college, a home loan and much more importantly, a learned military discipline that has followed and benefited me throughout my entire life.
I am still in awe as to how wonderful our military people are respected today - they deserve every second of it - very different than when I came home but extremely refreshing. I get embarrassed when I occasionally get thanked for my service because I know that I did not do it for them - no thanks necessary.
I was just plain lucky to have served, come home in one piece and reap all of the benefits the military extended me - I feel like I should be thanking somebody myself but I am not quite sure who to thank. I am very fortunate to live in such a great country.
Enjoy this weekend.

John J. Nemchik Jr. KIA 18 may 1967

Drop by your local American Legion post,attend a Memorial Day service or parade. Thank you to all veterans.
Sincerely Donald M. Biddulph jr proud son of Donald M.Biddulph Sr Korean war veteran USS Antietam CV36

<*(((>< said:

A simple and solemn THANK YOU to all that gave their life for our FREEDOM! And thank you to all who HAVE, ARE and WILL serve(ing) this great country! GOD BLESS THE USA!!

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Amen!

Semper Fi!

The idiots who mix up Memorial Day and Veteran's Day make me shake my head.
On Memorial Day, when someone tells me "Thank you for your service." I say "Thank you" but then urge them to remember those who didn't get a chance to receive a DD-214 and to remember and thank the fallen.

The price of our freedom has been paid by so many. May this nation never forget.
That’s my son on my shoulders, he’s 21 now.

Like FISwampRat, I'm always slightly embarrassed when thanked for my service.

But especially this weekend -- I came home alive. So many didn't. This weekend is about THEM. Remember the fallen, for they paid the ultimate price. (The rest of us will have our own picnic day in September...)

Steve S. said:

I was discharged in October of 1975 and I have been thanking the US Army ever since - a GI Bill paid four years of college, a home loan and much more importantly, a learned military discipline that has followed and benefited me throughout my entire life.
I am still in awe as to how wonderful our military people are respected today - they deserve every second of it - very different than when I came home but extremely refreshing. I get embarrassed when I occasionally get thanked for my service because I know that I did not do it for them - no thanks necessary.
I was just plain lucky to have served, come home in one piece and reap all of the benefits the military extended me - I feel like I should be thanking somebody myself but I am not quite sure who to thank. I am very fortunate to live in such a great country.
Enjoy this weekend.

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I cant add to this, its pretty much the way I feel also. drafted 6/71, discharged 3/78.

I can’t say Thank You enough to those of every generation who have given of themselves so myself and my family may have and enjoy what we do... but I’ll say it again.

Thank You.

FlSwampRat said:

The idiots who mix up Memorial Day and Veteran's Day make me shake my head.
On Memorial Day, when someone tells me "Thank you for your service." I say "Thank you" but then urge them to remember those who didn't get a chance to receive a DD-214 and to remember and thank the fallen.


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FlSwampRat said:

The idiots who mix up Memorial Day and Veteran's Day make me shake my head.

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November 11th should have stayed Armistice Day. JMO

<*(((>< said:

I think many on this day first remember the fallen but when faced with a Veteran standing before me, I will not forget nor pass up the opportunity to thank them for their service and sacrifice which includes the loss of their friends and families.

RIP Staff Sgt. Brian F. Piercy
SSgt. Piercy was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 19, 2010 in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of This injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

Brian Piercy was a good friend of mine in college, was eager and willing to serve his country. He was very bright with a great future ahead of him with his wife. He was one of 7 graduates who were KIA from his high school in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. He was a month from finishing his second tour.

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I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. I think most of us have a connection to a service member KIA. Too many good men and women gone too soon.

<*(((>< said:

Prayers for that young boy and his family. I can’t imagine the heartache of handing over that flag.

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. The pic says so much without words. I tear up just looking at all involved, the boy of course but the respect the soldier show and mother (I presume) comforting the boy. War is hell

Don’t put me on a pedestal.

I was a just an idiot who volunteered for a job.

The only ones who should be put on a pedestal are the ones who never made it back.

Per Wikia.org, The United States of America has had over 70 wars/conflicts from The Revolutionary War to Afghanistan. From those wars/conflicts, we lost a total of 1,321,612 (848,163 from combat). Even the ones that died from sickness or non-combat injuries are heroes.

https://military.wikia.org/wiki/United_States_military_casualties_of_war

Here is a link of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Some may already know about it. I only found out about it a couple years ago. Very sobering.

http://www.virtualwall.org/

To all those who have served, both who returned and those who didnt.

Forever in your debt...