Appreciation and respect for our military service-members are at the cornerstone of the Treehouse. Every day for over ten years we begin our daily prayers with our fallen national heroes in mind. Through the years we have also lost veteran members who are part of the Treehouse family. We have cried together, held time together and sometimes just quietly sat beside each-other to eliminate the loneliness…. No words needed.
However, we would also like the opportunity to share our appreciation this special weekend; and we want our veteran Treepers to know just how much they are valued and cherished.
Before we enter a day of solemn thoughtfulness and reflection, I would like to ask all military Treepers to stand and be recognized so that we may say “Thank You” this Memorial Day. If you, or a member of your family past or present, is a member of the veteran community, or if you have lost someone close who was a veteran, please share a brief hello.
To the extent you are comfortable, please stand and be recognized in the comments section so that we may honor you and your family.
God Bless.
We love you…
Steadfast
Thanks and God Bless! 3rd generation veteran. Grandpa was a fighter pilot in WW2, father a sailor, and I was a Scout. Oo rah!
To those who went down range on behalf of our Nation and never returned:
Though these days seem particularly dark, know that you are not and will not be forgotten while one Patriot among us remains.
USN (Ret.)
Thank you so much for your service! God’s blessings be upon you!
Today’s enemies don’t know how deep our love of Country goes, or the honor we pay all who put their lives on the line for Freedom.
Thank you for your selflessness & service.
The value we place on our Constitutional Republic is all-powerful.
Thank you Sundance for this post and all of your posts. I am not a Veteran. but my father was a proud Navy Veteran (Korean War) and this will be the first Memorial Day without him. He was a very patriotic American and I miss him every day. I pray in Jesus name, for my father, my uncles and all of the Veterans that are no longer with us. May their souls , through the mercy of god, rest in peace. Amen.
I honor your father and his service. I pray for God’s peace be upon you, as you mourn your father. May his memories bring you joy. My dad died in 2019. 93yo. WW2 Army Air Corp in the Pacific. I adored him!
Please recognize my brothers CW03 Corey Goodnature, CW04 Chris Scherkenbach, MAJ Steve Reich, SFC Mike Russell, SGT Kip Jacoby, SGT Seamus Gore, MSGT Trey Ponder and SFC Muralles this Memorial Day and every chance you have time to reflect on those that paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect and defend those they left behind. NSDQ!
Never forgotten! Thank you for listening them!
Air Force veteran here. Sons, nephews, brothers, father also served! Bless us all, peace to all.
Thanks Sundance!!!!
Always appreciated and loved!
Yo
I appreciate your service and dedication to our country
Established 1776 through ??? because of the brave.
Thank you to my husband, his father, his brother, and sister.
Thank you to 3 of my brothers, my cousin, and 5 nephews
Thank to my many friends from my graduating class. Notably including Michauel Don Ferguson, 1947 – 1968, Vietnam.
Thank to all our America loving veterans.
You have blessed our beloved country with your service and sacrifice.
Please God continue to bless America.
Thank you Sundance for the heart felt remembrance of so many we have lost. Father WWII vet was captured and put in a concentration camp, grandfather WWI, 2 Uncles WWII, One Uncle somewhere in N.Korea was a medic. Keep hoping they find his remains. 2 Uncles USAF 1 ret passed, one passed in service. XSpouse Army vet. Passed last May from Covid. Too many friends left somewhere in Vietnam.
Prayers for His Peace and Presence
So proud of our Daughter a graduate of Annapolis who served honorably, and now works in Defense Industry. One of her classmates is buried in Arlington, died in Afghanistan. We are proud of all of her classmates that we got to know, and all have gone on to do wonderful things. We saw first hand what it means to serve, God Bless everyone who heeds the call to duty to their country, especially the ones who give their all. Our Grandson and Granddaughter went today to place flags on the graves at their local military cemetery, so proud of them learning early on to love America.
SSGT USMC 12 years – 2 tours in Beirut 82-83. Survived the Terrorist bombing on Oct 23, 1983 where 241 servicemen died. 220 Marines, 18 Sailors and 3 Soldiers. Many others injured. Tomorrow will be a day to remember all that “gave all” throughout our nations history.
The Beirut bombing became the reason our son enlisted in the Marines. A high school classmate/friend (Marine) was killed that day. Part of our son’s motivation (he said) was to take up the place of his friend who had fallen. I’m glad you came back.
We are in their debt for their sacrifice.
And I hope it is not all for naught. What with Biden’s makeover a la Obama of the military.
And now my husband has informed me that Biden is pulling the last aircraft carrier out of the Pacific. My husband says, we normally have four. When did the other three get pulled? This is leaving China to have their way and control of the Pacific, of course.
A short video description of WHITE PRIVILEGE seen in WW I trench warfare:
Thank you Sundance for that wonderful tribute! Last night, I watched a documentary of D-Day, and Pearl Harbor, along with the men who survived both. Thinking about the weathered warriors living out their final days, recalling the horrors and fears of 18-19yo kids(at the time). Pictures of them being young and robust, with their lives ahead of them. They spoke of their fellow soldiers falling beside them, but they kept going to liberate a continent under darkness. How grateful they were for the smallest things. How a couple of our pilots scrambled at Pearl Harbor to take on the Japanese assault. I then saw a survivor of the Bataan Death March. I was overwhelmed with gratitude, and remorse. Gratitude(and awe) of the sacrifices of these heroes, and those of their families. Remorse when I think about what this country has become. It sure as hell does not represent the values they fought and died for! I pray that this spirit will be rekindled in our country, that our children will grow up in a free and principled society. I sat there and wept. Father, forgive us! I pray that this country returns to Your plans, and that You would restore us, that we would serve You first and foremost.
Thank you Sundance as well as all Treepers for this great website! I’m a Vietnam veteran with the U.S. Army Security Agency. My dad fought WWII in the Philippines.
You and your family rock Brother !
Retired Magistrate here: My father in law, who died in 1999, served in the Navy in World War II in both the Pacific and European theatres. The year before he died he finally talked a little bit about his service. After the War he worked two jobs and started his own business. He worked hard his entire life and raised a wonderful, caring son, my husband.
My brother served in Navy during Viet Nam. He was exposed to Agent Orange and now is suffering from severe heart problems because of the exposure. In addition, he is now starting to have memory problems either due to the meds he is on or from the Agent Orange; we don’t know yet. My brother dropped out of his Senior Year in High School because he wanted to serve his country; he was not drafted. When he came home he was wearing his uniform and was yelled at as a “baby killer” and spit on. He never wore his uniform again. My brother is on disability from the VA due to the Agent Orange but up until a year ago he worked full time.
The VA in northern California has taken really good care of him and we are thankful for that.
I thank GOD for all who post here who were/are in the military and my prayers are with those who have lost loved ones while serving our country and protecting our freedoms.
Grandpa was USN doctor assigned to 1st MAR DIV in WWII. Dad was USAF Doctor in Vietnam, died possibly of Agent Orange exposure in 2012. I’m a retired USNR Surface Warfare Officer. Daughter is a PFC in the Guard. WIfe is a retired USN JAG. Her Dad was a combat engineer in WWII ETO. Her Grandpa was in WWI. Brother in Law was a USA tanker in the Cold War, Nephew was a paratrooper in Iraq. Speaking for myself, it was an honor to serve.
My dad served in WW II, Army Air Corps, pilot, B-25, DFC
My grandfather served in WWI, Army, Infantry, Purple Heart (France)
My uncle served in WW II, 10th Division , army ski corps. Literally, they patrolled the alps on skis.
I am proud of their service. So many sacrificed so much.
What’s to thank ..
I did a job and had some fun
The hours were long but needed to get done
From Germany to Panama and Thailand and Korea
And scores of places in between
Trucks are cleaned, weapons serviced, mud washes off
Training can get deadly, don’t forget
Care for those that serve under you
And take care for those back home
A couple decades … time flies
Wow … I did all that?
Means more to me than the decades since
Of oaths taken and secrets kept
Of the things that some will never comprehend …
Duty, Honor, Country
I do not live near my family cemetery where our fallen military dead rest. This year we are going to a local cemetery for the services to be held there.
Each year they place flags on the graves there at my family cemetery. Even the old cemeteries where our civil war dead rest get flags. It is a solemn time. It was after all a Southern woman who started the tradition when she placed flowers on the graves of Yankee soldiers who were interred in Alabama after the War Between the States. They called it Decoration Day until the 1970s.
One year we visited the Vietnam Wall. None of my family died in that terrible war. However, I burst into tears and cried and cried. As I a crying now. The soldier who helped us there seemed to care and did not know what to do. My family who were veterans from the Vietnam era payed a sacrifice there too.
Grandfather served in France during WW1, Dad was a career Marine who served in WW2 and Korea, Uncle was a gunner on a B17 over Europe, my other Uncle served in the Air Force after the war, I put in a couple of tours in RVN 70-72. Meet a few real live hero’s over the years and visited over 50,000 of them on that wall in DC
Army vet here. Member of a Gold Star family.
In memory of my uncle, JR Leach 1916-1944. Co-pilot of a B-17 Heavy shot down in Germany May 7, 1944. Buried in Belgium.
Grandfather WWI. Father and Mother both USMC WWII. Dad also Korea. 3 uncles and an aunt WWII. Husband Corps of Engineers Viet Nam. Oldest son Navy during Desert Storm. 3rd son 20 year career Marine, mostly Iraq and Afganistan. I am DAR and UDC, proud to be and American. God bless our Military, and those who wait at home.
USMC, OIF.
The old man was a real soldier, US Army, 28th ID WWII, survived the hedgerows, the breakout across France, the debacle in the Heurtgenwald and became a guest of the Third Reich during the “Battle of the Bulge.”
The 28th held on against overwhelming odds for much longer than the Germans expected. Read “Alamo in the Ardennes” to get a perspective on the Bulge that isn’t totally centered on the famous stand at Bastogne. The reason the Band of Brothers crew had time to be trucked into Bastogne is a bunch of GIs bought them that time with their lives. The guys who pay the butcher’s bill don’t get to write memoirs, so it’s up to us to remember them.
I believe that unit is referred to as the Bloody Bucket Brigade for their actions you mentioned.
I am a retired member of the 28th ID I can tell you that general Pershing in world war I called them the men of iron.
During world war II it was the Germans that gave the 28th infantry division that name because of the shape and color of our patch.
Per the army history the 28th infantry division is the oldest division size element in the United States army. Some of her units traced their lineage back to Ben Franklin’s regulators pre-revolution
I served in Charlie company 337 engineer battalion a unit that can clearly trace it to lineage back to Thompson’s rifle battalion of the first Continental line during the American revolution.
And later I served with the C troop second squadron 104th cavalry regiment.
Correction: it’s been Franklin’s associators not regulators.
I am having one of them days where my fingers are moving faster than my brain
Thank you Sundance, and to everyone here.
My family has 5 veterans: 3 Air Force, 1 Army, 1 Navy (I am one of the AF vets).
We have a nephew who recently retired from a career in the Air Force, his son joined the Navy last summer.
My father in-law was a belly-gunner in the Navy aboard a B-24 Liberator in the Pacific during WWII. Three of his brothers were Marines and his sister was a WAVE, all also WWII vets.
My father – WW2 Navy vet, me- 1969 – 1971 Viet Nam vet. I lost a lot of friends over there. I won’t live in a Biden/Harris controlled United States of America, I believe there are millions more sharing the same reality. I will serve until my last breath because I still believe in the Oath I took long ago.
Thank you for this. It gives me hope.
Regardless of age, if my mind is clear, I can & will resist tyranny.
I’m right here along side of you Brother/Sister !
Took my oath 56 years ago last Wednesday May 26th. 1965
Thank you. My father, Warren E. Matha, fought in the Pacific under General Douglas MacArthur. He was one of 800 troopers of the First Cavalry Division who dashed 100 miles behind the Japanese lines to rescue almost 4,000 men, women, and children held captive by the Japanese at University of Santo Tomas in Manila while 16,000 Japanese destroyed the city around them. He fought in the Admiralty Islands, on Leyte, and on Luzon. During the Battle of Manila, he was wounded two times. He said that next to the birth of his two sons, the proudest moment of his life occurred when he went through the front gate of the prison at Santo Tomas and saw the faces of the prisoners and their expressions of relief, joy, gratitude. He passed away in the year 2010. His best boyhood friend died as a prisoner of the Japanese. He kept a photo of that Marine on his wall for 65 years. I am sure that friend’s plight is one of the reasons why he enlisted and then, when given a “stateside” job in the Army, he requested and received a transfer to a combat division, The First Cavalry.
Thank you is inadequate for the deep gratitude and reverence that I have for US vets.
I lost my Dad January 16th this year. He was a Korea War USAF vet. He was an honorable Christian man. He is much missed by the family.
God bless all who served and serve and God grant peace to them and their families.
O my I posted earlier my Dad’s Navy service but I have been scrolling all the tributes with tears streaming down. Thank u again Sundance for posting this for all to read. Truly amazing.
With humble thanks,
My dad, Teddy, Army-Korean war…
Father-in-law, Seldon, AirForce…
Uncles Charlie, Johnny, Chester, Pete, Eddie, Frank, Bernie…
Aunts Josie and Frannie…
Cousins Charlie & Jimmy (all branches…)
Now, my nephew, Timothy following his grampa, Air Force.
?? Thank you to all who served, and all who have sacrificed, and especially those who never came home.
My dad served in the U.S.Army in WW2 on Guadalcanal.
Both of my parents served in WWII. My father joined the Army Air Corps in 1939 and served as a bombardier navigator with the Eighth Air Force based in England. My mother was in the Army stateside and served in mostly clerical positions. Prior to joining the Army my mother also helped build planes. My father liked to joke that “my mother built them and he flew them.” My mother’s brother was at Hickman Field on December 7th, but would never speak of his experiences, although I know he spent some time in post war Japan.
My father’s younger brother served in the Navy in the early 1950’s and my husband served in the Air Force during the Vietnam war.
My family is truly blessedly that they all came home. In his later years my father often sadly reflected on the large number of planes and crews that never made it back from a raid and felt that the fallen were the true heroes. God’s blessings on all that served and never came back and the families that mourn to this day.
Great-granddad, Jesse Weimer, walked home after serving in the Civil War. Grandpap was a proud Marine in WWI. Step-dad & his brother, US Army during Vietnam. Nephew will soon graduate High School, and leave for San Diego & USMC Boot Camp at the end of August.
I wore a POW bracelet for years. The bracelet is but a memory, and still I hold dear, Lt. James E. Teague 11-19-67. Never to be forgotten.
Thank you Sundance & may God Almighty Bless and have mercy on our Military.
You Rock Honey B !
For more than 65 years, my dad kept on his wall the 8 x 10 photo of a US Marine who helped defend Corregidor, survived conditions at Bilibid and then Cabanatuan only to die when the Arisan Maru Hell Ship sank on 24 Oct 1944. The man was my dad’s best boyhood friend. “Like an older brother to me,” my dad said.
Before he died at age 86, my father asked me to promise never to forget that Marine’s name: Pfc John P. Kovalcik, Jr. K Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th US Marines. “Johnny” to my dad. My dad said “Johnny” joined up in 1939 or ’40 with a friend. The friend served on the USS Enterprise for the whole war without a scratch. “Johnny” protected the Naval base at Cavite and then the fortress Corregidor in the Philippines.
At age 86, my dad still saved and occasionally read every single one of that man’s letters from the service. I am convinced that my father transferred out of a safe assignment as an instructor at Ft. Riley’s CRTC Horsemanship Department and instead volunteered for a combat outfit—the 5th Cavalry Regiment of the First Cavalry Division—in large measure because of that man.
We should never forget any of those brave people.
Worked with the Military in a Joint Services command for many years and could not have been more proud of everyone I worked with.
My dad’s only brother, “Uncle Billy,” died in WWII — many years before I was born. Grew up hearing about Uncle Bill and his bravery, along with that of all the men who died on the same plane that fateful day.
One of our nieces graduated from Annapolis in 2016, and is still flying helicopters, jets and all manner of flying machines all over the world. She is a very smart woman who loves President Trump.
Although the other members of my family are not in the military, because they serve in the police force and border patrol I look at them as also serving our country — just in a different way. Another niece is border patrol in the ocean off San Diego. Reading the struggles of border patrol agents on our southern border make me think of and pray for her.
To all who have served and to all who support and love those who do — thank you, and God bless you.
I have a retired veteran neighbor who flew F-106’s for years and then later moved onto the F-16. The F-106 interceptor was our first line of defense against Russian nuclear bombers. (Treeper Fangdog has one as his avatar firing a Genie tactical nuke, theoretically into a bomber formation). He has some amazing stories. I told him he should write them down to share them for future generations. He just says “naw it was nothing”. I find veterans to be the most humble people. So here is one story that took place in the 106 or the “Six” as they called them. I might be lacking in some of the details.
The general idea in the 70’s was that Russian bombers would be coming across the polar regions at altitude in some type of loose formation, thus the Geni missle. You fire it into the formation, turn around and bug out at supersonic before the shock wave hits you. But what to do if they come in at treetop level, maybe one at a time and you are looking around at 40,000 feet?
Well they tested that. The scenario would be that my neighbor and his wingman would cruise over the gulf of Mexico at super sonic at 40k while an F-111 would try to get past them somewhere down at sea level. Could they even detect it? If so my neighbor was to invert into a split S, apply his air brakes and try to come in behind and intercept.
The need for the air braking was that they would be going so fast that there is no way they can make that maneuver, a long diving turn at high speed, without diving into the ocean. Even at 40 thousand feet you can’t make that move with the crushing G forces required at high speeds, they had to slow down. Problem is that the air brakes, two hydraulically controlled flaps on either side of the fusalage near the tail are meant to be deployed subsonic and are usually used for braking on landing.
Well they detected the F-111. The wingman was supposed to watch. My neighbor radioed that he was engaging. He inverted, pulled back on the stick in his right hand and activated the air brakes, which was a lever right on the throttle in his left hand. All hell broke loose. His jet immediately went into an uncontrolled spin, the G forces so powerful that he was nearly passing out. He was pinned up tight in his seat belt harness as the forces tried to remove him from his seat.
His jet flamed-out (stalled) due to the spin, with a big explosion of flames from the nozzle. His wingman radioed ground control that he had blown up, flying past he did not see him tumbling toward the ocean. They called out the search and rescue squads.
Meanwhile, my neighbor, spinning wildly and fighting the G forces was trying to grab the ejection lever which was alongside the left side of his seat. He kept swinging and pawing his hand downward grasping for the handle, but with the G’s pulling him out of the seat he couldn’t quite reach it. This went on for a minute.
Exhausted, he put his hand back on the throttle, inadvertently hitting the airbrake lever turning it off. Just like that, the spin stopped, he fell back into his seat, the jet straightened out. The engine restarted due to air now flowing into the intake. He leveled it out and assessed the situation. He figured he fell uncontrolled about 30 thousand feet. Nothing on his instrument panel worked, except the radio on which he could only receive. Glass gauges were cracked, there was air coming into the cockpit. There was chatter all over the channel that he was lost in the gulf, probably dead. He had no way of radioing them.
He flew gingerly, not knowing the state of his aircraft, back to the coast. Using landmarks he found his airfield, but when he tried to deploy the landing gear, it didn’t work, no electrics whatsoever. He had to try a belly landing, they don’t practice that. They must have found him on radar because all the emergency vehicle were in place already. He skidded to a halt.
What had happened when he deployed the airbrakes at supersonic is that one broke right off. The asymmetry of one airbreak on one side sent the jet into the spinning dive. The G forces were so powerful that the backbone of the jet was broken and the frame twisted. The wingtips and vertical stabilizer tip were broken off too. The jet was a complete write-off.
Had he successfully reached the ejection handle the rocket propelled seat would not have come out of the cockpit due to the frame twisting and he probably would have died. He talks about it matter of factly. I have nothing but respect for these brave men.
Hello. Every generation from both my father’s and mother’s family has served since the revolution. Carry on. Semper Fedelis.
All American Families like yours make All of US Americans Proud !
Thank you to:
My father US Navy WWII
My husband US Navy Viet Nam era.
My brother US Army two tours Viet Nam, Purple Heart recipient.
My dad was a Naval Mechanic in WW2 and aboard the USS Franklin when its nose was blown off. Me, I chose the USAF and in 21 years I served with finest of the finest. Marines, Navy Army and German. Italian, British military. It was the gift of a lifetime to have enlarged my family and yet so many have made the grade to the summer skies.
Thank you Sundance for always knowing the right words and they are so very appreciated. I am a veteran of the Womens Army Corps. I didn’t serve long but I served proudly. I am the wife of a Navy vet, widow of an Army combat medic, mother, sister, granddaughter, niece and cousin of vets. Five uncles served in WW2, 4 were my father’s brothers, 3 were Navy in the Pacific, 1 was Army and served in Africa and Italy. My other uncle was my aunt’s husband who was Army and killed in the Allied bombing of Malmedy on Christmas of 1944. Eighteen days later my mother’s husband was killed outside of Bastongne when a German tank round landed in his foxhole.
This is the second Memorial Day since my brother passed. He died of an untreatable rare type of leukemia from being contaminated with Agent Orange on the DMZ of Korea. He loved his years in the Army driving his tank. I miss him greatly.
My father was a Rakkasan. Korea in the early 50s. 1st Sgt. He served in the 187, the 11th, the 101st, and the 82nd. He also served as an aide to General Westmorland, but, being a soldier’s soldier, went back to the field as soon as he could get orders. The history he saw, the history he shaped… While he ranched after his military retirement, he was always ready to be called back to active duty.
He believed in the greatness and goodness of America and continued the family legacy of military service to the Republic. Every generation since the Founding. He was extraordinarily proud that his grandson (my son) is a Navy Chief and never missed a chance to tell the nursing staff and show them a picture.
He passed away one month ago today at the age of 91. Full military service is set for the end of June. My son will present his grandmother the folded flag on behalf of a grateful nation. It will be as it should rightly be.
SM1(SW) Charles Wallace, USN 1972-1995
I’d like to thank all of you who were and are worth serving. It was my honor.
Thank you so much.
Son: Retired 2020, Master Chief, 28 years in.
Daughter: Retired, 2020, Chief Petty Officer, 17 years in.
Father: US Army, WWII, shot in Brussels, Belgium 1944. Lost his right leg.
Great Great Grandfather:
Came to America from Sweden mid 1800s. Seven years later volunteered out of Minnesota during Civil War, was captured and held POW, Andersonville, GA. Starved, beaten and tortured he escaped with “a huge negro”(according to records). Never looked back and met up with Union Forces. Hence, I am here!!
US Army Vet here ’72 – ’84
Family members served in Army, Navy, Marines since the American Revolution
Duty, Honor, & Country is in our family DNA
Thank you, Sundance… for all you do and for the nice post.
Remembering those who never made the journey back.
Thank you, Sundance & Managerie.
My father served in the Army Air Corp in WWII, went to college on the G.I. Bill and then served in the Navy for 27 more years. My Brother Michael served in the Army as a 1st Lieutenant during the ’80s. Both are wonderful men and good husbands to their wives and families. My father passed from this mortal coil on April 29, 2011. RIP, sir.
Grandfather-USMC WWI
Father-US Army served with Flying Tigers in Burma WWII
Mother-US Army Nurse served stateside WWII
4 Uncles US Army & Navy WWII- all served in European theater
Brothers- 1 USMC in Viet Nam, I in Navy in Scotland during Viet Nam, 2 Army one in Germany in cold war & 1 in the States, 1 in the Air Force.
1 Nephew in USMC Afghanistan.
1 Great-Nephew USMC currently serving in the states.
1 Neighborhood friend US Army Helicopter Pilot Viet Nam who paid the ultimate price. RIP J. P. Legg
To my dad and two uncles, thank you for your patriotism. All three were in WWII, one in the army and two in the navy. The youngest of the three brothers was killed when a torpedo struck the USS Reno. The middle brother was captured by the Germans and was MIA. In true private Ryan fashion, my dad, the oldest of three was forced from the aircraft carrier he was on to return home at the request of my Grandmother. He never forgave her.
Twenty-Five-Year Air Force Veteran here.
My favorite uncle was AF.
His favorite uncle is buried in Henri-Chappelle Cimetere Americain, en Belgique, who died mopping up the Battle of the Bulge. A stunningly beautiful place and my favorite Sunday drive.
It was the honor of my life to be the first of the family to visit his grave, and to later share the experience with my uncle.
.
I appreciate this post. We are a multigenerational military family, including combat veterans and currently active military personnel, one Navy pilot death, one Marine currently in hospice, one youngster only 28 service disabled.
That said, I hear repeatedly from those in active service, which includes all of my children and many of their friends, that they feel uncomfortable being constantly thanked for their service.
Perhaps it seems artificial, along the lines of the superficial greeting (not intended to be responded to) of “How are ya?” Perhaps they are unsure how to respond, since being reminded of the risks they take or the dangers they face is not pleasant. Or perhaps it is because they are keenly aware of those — both peers and precursors — who have sacrificed so much more than they feel that they have.
I have given this some thought. I am thinking that perhaps part of the discomfort is that a posture of “thanking” separates “the military” from “the rest of Americans”. It becomes only their sacrifice, not “ours”. Us-them. Sometimes some of the comments even from a few at this website seem to do it. It’s not intentional, I am sure. And this was not so much of an issue in prior generations.
This Memorial Day, all patriotic Americans please “be” gold star families. The veterans who sacrificed for you — whether the politicians’ missions they were ordered into and had no say about were productive for the country or for stupid or ulterior purposes — all were/are also “your” family — our American family — our forefathers, our brothers, and our children. Claim them as your own, be proud and supportive of them, and please remember them all that way.
My first job was working for a gentleman who had survived the Bataan death march.
I’ve been aboard a U.S. Navy vessel that (while sailing from the East coast of Florida to the Mediterranean) sailed directly through a hurricane.
I’ve watched planes launch from an aircraft carrier in support of the bombing of Moammar Gaddafi’s military complex in Tripoli, Italy.
Been moored next to the “MS Achille Lauro” after it had been hijacked by the Palestine Liberation Front.
I’ve watched, as offshore oil platforms burned in the Persian gulf in an attempt to hide the Iraqi retreat from Kuwait during Desert Storm.
I’ve gone for a swim in the Pacific Ocean, Northeast of Australia, where the Equator crosses the 180th Meridian.
I’ve stood as a member of an Honor Guard at the Arizona Memorial as President Clinton commemorated the 50th anniversary of the attack at Pearl Harbor.
I’ve watched as dolphin played in the wake of my ship as it sliced through the deep blue waters of the Pacific.
I’ve stared (on moonless nights) into a pitch black sky, 10 stories above the main deck, and beheld the majesty of the heavens in all their glory.
I have been blessed!
But, I’ve never been so moved as I was this afternoon while visiting a Memorial Cemetery near my home.
Every gravesite (1500+) had been adorned with colorful flowers.
There were countless pinwheels, balloons and flags. Tributes to Mom and Dad, Brother and Sister, Grandma and Grandpa, and countless others.
Children learning, Parents remembering and Friends enjoyong each others company. There were others standing in solitude, lost in their thoughts; as both the present and the past, swirled around them.
A magnificent sea of color, sound and sight. A jubilant tribute to not only what is, but what has been. A reminder of what has been given, and what is expected.
I stood in awe. I have never seen such a sight.
I stayed motionless for some time, flooded with emotion.
As someone said much earlier in the thread…
Tears are words the heart can not express
I gathered myself and began slowly walking through the reminders of what has been…
The names
The dates
The love
Then, I lifted my eyes and, once again, took in the sea of color (and life) before me.
As I continued walking, I came upon a small group sitting on a bench in the shade of a large tree.
I raised my hand in greeting and asked…
“Have you ever seen such a thing?”
“Isn’t it great! Praise God!!”… was the reply.
To everyone who has selflessly given, no matter the measure, on behalf of this Great Country, my family and myself..
THANK YOU!!
Did you get pix? 🙂
A short video. However, I have no way of posting it.
I’ll see what I can do.
Thank you for always remembering the price of freedom.
To my husband, now with our Lord, my son-in-law, & those I gratefully served as a VA-RN, & to our Veterans past & present, my deepest gratitude. ?? ??