Memorial Day

[CoriBug]

America is the land of the free because of the BRAVE!!! Thousands of men and women have died so you can live your life the way you want. As you enjoy your day off tomorrow, would you remember those who have died in combat?

[mybugrocks]

In remembrance of those who gave their lives to give us freedom! Thank you

[CoriBug]

If you think that tomorrow isn't a big deal, maybe the following cartoons can enlighten you a bit.

[CoriBug]

in case you're not a history buff...

Marines in Korea - Chosin Reservoir - the winter was so cold their urine froze to their legs. No food, few supplies, and yet they kept going. They would not give up!

Marines on Iwo Jima - many didn't even make it off the black sandy beach because the Japanese were waiting for them. They were blown to bits as their comrades waded through bloody water.

Our soldiers liberating the concentration camps across Europe - can you imagine the horror they felt when they saw the dead and the barely alive??

And the many who have never been found. Their families never had a body to mourn, just a memory of their husband, father, son, wife, daughter who went away and never returned.

I encourage you all to attend a Memorial Day service in honor of who those gave so much and asked so little. Just an hour or two out of your busy life to remember isn't too much to ask. My town has multiple services with a wreath ceremony, speakers, and a flyover courtesty of the Air National Guard.

[CoriBug]

5 Marines and a Navy corpsman raising the flag
Read Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley if you would like a realistic glimpse of war. I wrote my first 12 page essay in high school about Iwo Jima.

To all our active duty military and veterans on the org, I say a very heartfelt thanks.

[cep]

Yesterday, I put flowers on the grave of my uncle whom I never knew.

Just 18 1/2 years old, he died on Iwo Jima, Feb 19th, 1945 with the 28th Regiment of the 5th Marines division. It took over 2 1/2 years for his body to be returned home for burial. He was originally buried on the island but the government gave my grandparents the option of bringing him home, which they did.

My wife lost two uncles, one in North Africa and another at Okinawa.

[CoriBug]

Thanks for sharing your family's story! I read of one 15 year old Marine who lied about his age. He died on Iwo Jima. My grandfather who died this past New Year's Eve, saw many of his buddies blown up on New Britain and Peleliu. I know he saw their faces every day for the rest of his life.

Edit - Feb 19, 1945 was D-Day for Iwo Jima. So he was one of the first to die on the island. Feb 26 was the day the flag was raised on Mt. Suribachi. The war in the Pacific was particularly brutal to our soldiers and Marines because of the way the Japanese treated their prisoners.

[TrudysMom]

Yes, we are blessed to have brave soldiers to keep us free. Thank you to all of them. Past, present and future.

[Smileybug]

A good friend of mine is in Iraq for the second time. My thoughts are with him everyday, as well as all of the troops.

[Alan From NYC]

Memorial Day was created as a day to honor the soldiers who died fighting the Civil War. Over the years, it has become a day in which to remember and honor all American soldiers.

I think it's quite fitting that we honor the living as well as mourn the dead on this special day.

[jdesigns]

I am a Veteran of the Persian Gulf War. I spent over 6 years of my life defending the freedoms we enjoy today. I however will never fully understand the ultimate sacrifice my fallen shipmates and solders have given. I survived.

They loved their country enough to die for it. If they had not, who would have? Would you?

As I stood at Safeco field in Seattle this afternoon before the Mariners game, I watched dozens of people go about their business while the national anthem was being sung. I thought to myself how selfish it was of them to not take a small moment to pay respect to those who have given their lives to make sure that flag stands above all. If it was not for those men and women that loved their country, what language would you be speaking right now? What communist/fascist/nazi government would be running the worlds greatest country? Thankfully we will never know the answer to that question all because of our great military!

Even if you do not attend one of the local ceremonies, take a moment to appreciate the freedoms you take for granted every day!


Thank you Veterans past, present and future for everything you do for your country!

[thorgipsy]

My father-in-law was in the battle for Iwo Jima on a naval vessel.
We're all going out for lunch today.
My grandfather served in WW I, he was a European immigrant.
My father served in WW II in the Air Force.
They all survived the battlefields and I am proud of them all for what they did.

[squeebug]

Originally Posted by jdesigns

As I stood at Safeco field in Seattle this afternoon before the Mariners game, I watched dozens of people go about their business while the national anthem was being sung. I thought to myself how selfish it was of them to not take a small moment to pay respect to those who have given their lives to make sure that flag stands above all. If it was not for those men and women that loved their country, what language would you be speaking right now? What communist/fascist/nazi government would be running the worlds greatest country? Thankfully we will never know the answer to that question all because of our great military!

To many people just take everything for granted.

My grandpa did his time in Europe during WWII, my dad put in ~26 years and I'm about to put another mark on the wall for year number 7.

[SixChuter]

In memorium....