Proud to be an American - Remember the vets on Memorial Day

[southerngale]

This came from Al Caldwell's blog on the KLVI website. Al Caldwell hosts a talk show on KLVI in the morning.

God bless our great country!

http://www.klvi.com/pages/MorningBlog.html?feed=240736&article=3724741

"They used to call it Declaration day. It was a day of pomp and circumstances. In New York we didnt eat much BBQ on that day. We ate a lot of ice cream. It was usually the first warm weekend of the year. It was war time and everything was rationed. Sugar, coffee, meat, some clothing like shoes and no one complained. We were at war. Declaration day was always observed on the 31st day of the month, no matter if it was a monday or a sunday. Our guys and gals were at war. We listened to the reports daily on progress being made. We didnt hate our president. We loved our troops. We sang patriototic songs. We waved our flags. We were kids but old and savvy enough to know the America was the greatest country in the world. Songs like "In the fuhrers face" which ridiculed Hitler were on the radio daily. We laughed and hummed along. Our church and other churches had parades that day, saluting the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast guard and all the women in the military as well. There was no Air force then, just the Army air force. We knew all the songs. "Caisons go rolling along", "Wild blue yonder", "Anchors away" and the Marine hymn. We bought savings bonds which cost under 20 dollars and we bought them on the installment plan, using our quarters and dimes that were so precious. We didnt riot in the streeets when our guys lost a battle. After the parade we ate ice cream. I was lucky enough to carry one of the flags every year. Our pastor would tell us in the church yard how lucky we were to live in a country where we could salute our troops. Somewhere along the way, we lost a great deal of what we had. The day off from work was all that counted. One day sales at all stores. Scorn for anyone that talked about defending our country. I still love this land. I am still proud of it and I still take at least a few moments to remember the USA on a day that “declares our freedom” and all who defend it and not decry it. I was only a kid when Memorial day was called Declaration day. I will never forget though, the spirit and the good gut feeling I had as I marched down Rockaway Boulevard, wondering in the back of my head if my brother fighting in Europe was all right. Maybe I just choose to remember the good things. Maybe not, but I am still proud of being an American. I hope you are too. I hope you will take a second out to remember this weekend."

[southerngale]

Well, I don't know if anyone else enjoyed Al's message above, but it really got me to thinking about how it used to be, before my time, before many of your time as well.

I took a lot more than a second to remember. Thank you to everyone who is currently serving, and to those who gave all. But thank you just isn't enough.

My cousin is leaving for Iraq in a few months. He is a Lt. Col. in Minnesota... a pilot headed for a combat zone. He seems eager to go, but all of us will be worrying and praying hard back home.

For those who have sacrificed everything for our country and for those who are currently serving... words simply can't express my gratitude. You are very special people.

[x-y-no]

We certainly ave lost a lot of the meaning of the day. I find it terribly jarring when someone says "Happy Memorial Day" - to me it's a solemn occasion, one of introspection and gratitude.

[Category 5]

I agree x-y-no.

To all of those who've fought and died for our freedom, god bless you all.

[MGC]

Yesterday I took the time to drive to Biloxi National Cemetery and pay my respects to all the veterans burried there. Even noticed the graves of a couple of unknown soliders from the Mexican War burried there. I salute all that have given their lives defending America.....MGC

[wyq614]

Wei Wei, who was a Chinese reporter, described the soldiers as "the cutiest persons" in his report during the Korean War. I'd like to say yes, remember the vets, no matter what country he/she is from, he is the cutist. A Chinese soldier and an American soldier do have something in common: They both devote their youth, even whole life, to their motherland. They are both someone that is worth being respected.

[Dionne]

Nothing cute about 33,741 American soldiers KIA......which includes over 8000 MIA.

[wyq614]

What are KIA and MIA?

[JonathanBelles]

What are KIA and MIA?

Killed/Missing In Action

[Chacor]

Something might have gotten lost in translation. I doubt "cute" was the right word meant to be used.

[HurricaneBill]

Something might have gotten lost in translation. I doubt "cute" was the right word meant to be used.

I wonder if he meant "courtiest".

[southerngale]

I know it's late, but I just saw this.

[Dionne]

How do you get away with this? Clearly a political statement. You can do it but we cannot? I've got buddies on The Wall. Your displaying political cartoonists from the editorial page. I see a banned or suspended coming with this reply. Memorial day is for those that gave everything, not what your paying for food.

[southerngale]

How do you get away with this? Clearly a political statement. You can do it but we cannot? I've got buddies on The Wall. Your displaying political cartoonists from the editorial page. I see a banned or suspended coming with this reply. Memorial day is for those that gave everything, not what your paying for food.

Huh? Political statement? Editorial page? How in the sam hill is a man griping about paying a high price for food on Memorial day political?

The point is that our heroes are the ones who paid a high price. I thought it was very telling about how many Americans have lost the true meaning of the day.


You said, "Memorial day is for those that gave everything, not what your paying for food."
I know. That was the whole point.

[Jack8631]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WB76cYS8Ehw

[vbhoutex]

How do you get away with this? Clearly a political statement. You can do it but we cannot? I've got buddies on The Wall. Your displaying political cartoonists from the editorial page. I see a banned or suspended coming with this reply. Memorial day is for those that gave everything, not what your paying for food.

Huh? Political statement? Editorial page? How in the sam hill is a man griping about paying a high price for food on Memorial day political?

The point is that our heroes are the ones who paid a high price. I thought it was very telling about how many Americans have lost the true meaning of the day.


You said, "Memorial day is for those that gave everything, not what your paying for food."
I know. That was the whole point.

Seems to me that someone is owed an apology?????

[x-y-no]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WB76cYS8Ehw

That was beautiful. I'd never seen it - thanks for posting.

[southerngale]

Well, I don't know if anyone else enjoyed Al's message above, but it really got me to thinking about how it used to be, before my time, before many of your time as well.

I took a lot more than a second to remember. Thank you to everyone who is currently serving, and to those who gave all. But thank you just isn't enough.

My cousin is leaving for Iraq in a few months. He is a Lt. Col. in Minnesota... a pilot headed for a combat zone. He seems eager to go, but all of us will be worrying and praying hard back home.

For those who have sacrificed everything for our country and for those who are currently serving... words simply can't express my gratitude. You are very special people.

I posted the above at the end of May. He just lost 7 of his men a few days ago when their helicopter crashed. My cousin is having a hard time... he's taking it really hard. Those were his guys. 4 of them were from Texas and 3 were from Oklahoma.


Seven U.S. troops killed in Iraq helicopter crash
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Seven U.S. soldiers were killed when a Chinook transport helicopter crashed in southern Iraq on Thursday, the U.S. military said.

A military spokesman said it appeared mechanical failure was the cause of the crash of the CH-47 Chinook helicopter just after midnight.

"Right now it appears it was not hostile activity. It appears to be a mechanical malfunction," the spokesman said.

He said the total number of personnel on board the helicopter was seven. The original number killed had been put at five, with two soldiers missing. The remains of those two soldiers were later found, the spokesman said.

The helicopter was part of an aerial convoy flying from neighboring Kuwait to the Balad U.S. military air base in Iraq.

The crash took place about 100 km (60 miles) west of the southern Iraqi city of Basra.

The U.S. military in Iraq mostly uses Apache attack helicopters as well as Black Hawks, which are usually deployed to transport small numbers of soldiers around the country.

The larger twin-engine Chinooks have the capacity to carry dozens of people.

The U.S. military said 69 helicopters have crashed in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. The Brookings Institution's Iraq Index says 36 of those were due to enemy fire.

[Ptarmigan]

Sorry to hear that. My condolences to the 7 dead soldiers as we go through a tough time in Texas and Louisiana from Ike.

[Ptarmigan]

We certainly ave lost a lot of the meaning of the day. I find it terribly jarring when someone says "Happy Memorial Day" - to me it's a solemn occasion, one of introspection and gratitude.

I never heard anyone say "Happy Memorial Day". That is really sick to say that though.