Memorial Day

[englanddg]

Today is a day that we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country, whichever country that is.

We remember those who stood tall, stood strong, and carried honor into battle.

Those who made the ultimate sacrifice, for their families, for their friends, and for us all.

As you enjoy your holiday today, take a moment and think about them. Thank them. And if you are so inclined, say a prayer to them.

To all those service men and women, regardless of nationality, who cannot be with their families this weekend, I salute you, and I ask you all to do the same.



And remember, these are our Brothers and our Sisters, our Fathers and our Mothers, our grandparents and great-grandparents...Military Service touches us all...





May they be safe and come home soon.



As wonderful as those homecoming videos are, today is not about that. Today is about those who will never come home. Those who paid the ultimate price.

Remember them...honor them...

So, as you munch your hot dogs and your hamburgers, remember...there are many who will never again. And, that is what this day is about.

 

[englanddg]

It occurred to me, that, with the changing of the guard, many of you may have no idea the significance of what is going on.

I you need an explanation for the behaviors, let me know. The jet noise is coming from DCA (Reagan National)....

 

[momof1princess]

Thank you for this @englanddg.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Nice tribute.

Thanks to all who have paid the ultimate price.

 

[brokedad]

If it wasn't for those who protect us, we would not have these great places to go and spend time with our families, thank you all who served and are serving now

 

[Tom]

All these surprise homecoming videos trump ALL OTHER videos on the internet.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I have to admit that those reunion video's kind of find the only remaining soft spot that I have. I also feel guilty because as a Vietnam Veteran, we did not have that kind of exposure and it makes me a little angry and left out.
Of course, I also wasn't married and had no children (that I was aware of) to greet me anyway, so I should just get over it.

 

[MinnieM123]

I have to admit that those reunion video's kind of find the only remaining soft spot that I have. I also feel guilty because as a Vietnam Veteran, we did not have that kind of exposure and it makes me a little angry and left out.
Of course, I also wasn't married and had no children (that I was aware of) to greet me anyway, so I should just get over it.

Unfortunately, we can't undo what's been done. However, public sentiment about how returning troops were not always warmly acknowledged, back in that era, certainly changed for the better in the years to follow. Mistakes were realized, and now many people give thanks to ALL who served, regardless of whether it's current or past service to the country.

So from me to you, here's a retroactive, "Welcome Home, Soldier", and thank you for the sacrifices you made on behalf of your fellow citizens here in the U.S.

 

[unkadug]

Perhaps it was just upbringing, but I do remember going to the airport as a kid and cheering for the returning soldiers coming home from Vietnam.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Perhaps it was just upbringing, but I do remember going to the airport as a kid and cheering for the returning soldiers coming home from Vietnam.

I do appreciate you and your family doing that. Sadly, those types of gestures were few and far between during that time. We were told when we returned to the states that it might be wise to change into civilian clothes as soon as possible so that we weren't so quickly identified as military. It is nice that people expressing appreciation happens now and it has happened to me as well. I have a problem with it though, and it's not the fault of the person extending their thanks, it just has the feeling of to little, to late to give me warm fuzzy's about it. Don't get me wrong I do appreciate it, but maybe some of that old bitterness has yet to completely leave my bloodstream.

Sorry, I hope I didn't offend anyone with that last statement I made, and if I had any brains I would just delete it, but, sometimes it just feels good to vent just a little. All the people that acted that way are more then likely either your parents or grandparents, at this point. It just still makes me feel a little sad. And they weren't necessarily wrong about their feelings toward that awful war that cost us 55000 men and women for basically nothing. They were just blaming the wrong people.

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

I do appreciate you and your family doing that. Sadly, those types of gestures were few and far between during that time. We were told when we returned to the states that it might be wise to change into civilian clothes as soon as possible so that we weren't so quickly identified as military. It is nice that people expressing appreciation happens now and it has happened to me as well. I have a problem with it though, and it's not the fault of the person extending their thanks, it just has the feeling of to little, to late to give me warm fuzzy's about it. Don't get me wrong I do appreciate it, but maybe some of that old bitterness has yet to completely leave my bloodstream.

Sorry, I hope I didn't offend anyone with that last statement I made, and if I had any brains I would just delete it, but, sometimes it just feels good to vent just a little. All the people that acted that way are more then likely either your parents or grandparents, at this point. It just still makes me feel a little sad. And they weren't necessarily wrong about their feelings toward that awful war that cost us 55000 men and women for basically nothing. They were just blaming the wrong people.

Ft. Benning borders my city. When I was a kid, I thought it was just a subdivision of our city. In those days, we could drive right on post with no id or anything. Today, you have to stop at a little building and give your id and have a reason to be on post and have your car searched. It really is beautiful out there now. The main entrance is very special.
Being by the post, we were always appreciative of the soldiers. I was of the age of tons of the soldiers so I had many friends and family who served in the Vietnam War. I guess where you lived made a difference in how you were treated.
There was a major incident, that I won't expand on but you'll know, that really hurt the feelings toward the vets for a while, but we still supported our guys. Those things happen in every war, but with so much hate for the war itself and the incident and the trial, the feelings were put upon all the soldiers.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Ft. Benning borders my city. When I was a kid, I thought it was just a subdivision of our city. In those days, we could drive right on post with no id or anything. Today, you have to stop at a little building and give your id and have a reason to be on post and have your car searched. It really is beautiful out there now. The main entrance is very special.
Being by the post, we were always appreciative of the soldiers. I was of the age of tons of the soldiers so I had many friends and family who served in the Vietnam War. I guess where you lived made a difference in how you were treated.
There was a major incident, that I won't expand on but you'll know, that really hurt the feelings toward the vets for a while, but we still supported our guys. Those things happen in every war, but with so much hate for the war itself and the incident and the trial, the feelings were put upon all the soldiers.

I think I know what incident you are talking about and as a veteran I am and was as upset about it as anyone, however, it might be lessened slightly by the fact that unless you have been in a situation of that much stress there is no way that anyone can understand what might happen. I am in no way condoning what happened, it was a major tragedy, but was done by only a handful of the hundreds of thousands of troops that were there. We certainly all didn't participate.

Again, until anyone knows what it is like to be standing in the middle of a group of people that may or may not shoot you in the back the minute your back is turned, they do not know how they will react. People didn't know then and many don't know now that those "peaceful" little villages house the very same people known as the Viet Cong. It was a place where you didn't know who your enemy was and they included men, women and children. Please don't interpret my post as a defense. What happened was a monstrosity, but, just as people snap and go on shooting rampages in civilian life, soldiers can snap as well. There were many other options besides what they decided to pursue.