Memorial Day - Remember

[azskyman]

Hello and good morning,

I remember Memorial Day from my childhood as the day the parade marched through town, the honor guard stopped at the bridge above the river, and men dressed in uniform stood silently at attention while a wreath was dropped gently to the water below.

Taps would follow. And the men would fire their weapons into the air. And I would stand close to my dad because the sound was loud.

They say that Memorial Day parades and remembrances are becoming fewer and fewer because the WWII vets are falling away from this world.

I'll not be at a parade this weekend. And like millions of people we will be having a small cookout with friends.

But before the sun came up this morning, I will reach out and thank a handful of veterans I know, and the spouse of one who is in Iraq, for the sacrifices made.

And in my mind's eye, I still see that wreath gently dropped into the water. And I can still hear that absolute solemn silence before the guns saluted those who served.

Please take a moment this weekend to thank a service man or woman you know for their sacrifice on your behalf.

[Aquawind]

Well Said..

[southerngale]

I just love your posts, skyman. This one is no exception. My church always has a picnic the Sunday afternoon/evening before Memorial Day. We honor all of the veterans in the church and others who show up. We have a 21-gun salute and sing a few songs that will bring tears to your eyes. It's always very moving.

[x-y-no]

Very well said. We must never allow the meaning of this day to fade - especially in times of division and political rancor it's crucial to hold on to such fundamentals.

[Stephanie]

Thank you Steve for starting this thread.

Thank you to all who have served our country!

[marq=down]HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY![/marq]

[Dionne]

I thank troops everytime I see them. Especially in the airports. While it is patriotic and helps morale to honor all military personnel this day we must remember.......this day is for those killed in war. For some it is an especially difficult day. I like to spend this day alone.

[DaylilyDawn]

I too think it is a patriiotic and it should always honor our fallen heros. I am a veteran of the U. S. Navy and I salute our military for a Job they did so well and to those who gave their life that we may live free.

[pojo]

Thank you

When I was deployed to Al Udeid AB, Qatar, I was apart of transferring a Human Remains from a Guard (Rhode Island) C130J aircraft to a Aeromedical (McChord) C17 bound to Germany. I was the one that brought the vehicle carrying a body from the re-icing spot to under the C17. The Army Sgt. Major was killed in Afghanistan. He had one daughter graduating in May 2006 and his son would have started HS that fall.

That day was December 9, 2005.

[JonathanBelles]

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!

[brunota2003]

God Bless America, her troops and civilians.