Happy Memorial Day !!!!

[Ironwolf]

Happy Memorial Day to All !!!!!!!!!!! :sFl_america2:

Paul

 

[patrick66]

Memorial Day isn't exactly the holiday you wish "Happy" for - it is a day to remember the war dead and recognize veterans of all branches that have passed.

 

[commando1]

day to remember the war dead

 

[tallhair]

Thanks Paul I appreciate the intent

 

[67Monaco]

Memorial Day isn't exactly the holiday you wish "Happy" for - it is a day to remember the war dead and recognize veterans of all branches that have passed.

And you think they would want you mourning them or do you think those warriors would rather you celebrate their lives and sacrifices? My family has never mourned the two we've lost on memorial day, it's been a time to celebrate the men they were and the impact they made for our lives. But to each their own.

 

[BJS racing]

I am a veteran and had soldiers that I trained that died in Iraq. I reflect on what happened and celebrate knowing that they were doing everything they could to better the world and the reports that I got showed that they did everything the right way! It still hurts to think about it as I actually was supposed to be in the convoy driving the vehicle one of these fine individuals were driving. Remember those who gave us the right and the ability to be here and do what we do and celebrate the sacrifice they made for us regardless if they are still serving or if they have fallen. They are all heroes and should always be remembered and respected as such!

Jason

 

[Ironwolf]

All of my thought & prayers go out to those who gave all to fight for our country along with their families. I am very lucky to have one of WWII's finest and feel like I was there and have lived through it from the detailed stories my 96 year old father tells over & over and of the close friends and comrades he lost during his time of service. I know what I hear from him is nowhere near the reality or of the intensity of what he endured but it is by all means a humbling feeling to hear of things first hand. And I know for that I am and will always be grateful

My Dad :

 

[tbm3fan]

Too bad it is not on the day it belongs on: May 30th always and 3 day weekend be damned.

 

[67Monaco]

Too bad it is not on the day it belongs on: May 30th always and 3 day weekend be damned.

Gots ta find a way to commercialize it you know. Besides it's good for the oil companies...

 

[patrick66]

Veteran's Day is for the LIVING veterans. Memorial Day (or Remembrance Day) is for remembrance of the dead warfighter. Plus, the word "Happy" is wholly inappropriate in this context. It's just the way it is.

 

[AlleyOop2]

Thank you for all your service!

 

[patrick66]

Obviously, some of you choose to either disrespect the day, or be oblivious to its meaning. Guess I can't help you there. It's not a day that is "happy". It's a day of solemn recognition and remembrance of those that died for this nation.

This ain't that damn hard to understand.

BTW, as a 20-yr USAF vet and as one who has lost seven relatives in various wars over the years, I have a pretty damn good idea of what I speak.

 

[tbm3fan]

I'm going to have to side with patrick66 here. Now you know why I want the day to go back to May 30th and to fall on whatever the day of the week it falls on. In the past I would visit The Presidio on that day while living in the City between 1989-1998. A few times after that would take my father over early in the morning for the ceremony. At 88 the long standing is a little much so instead, if he is up to it, he will go down with me to the USS HORNET this Monday for the ceremonies. Considering that he has now asked me to look into funeral homes, the National Cemetery and given me his investment account numbers and passwords this might be the last one I can go with him. Hopefully, very hopefully, I am wrong about that.

So remember this is a "solemn" day, for those who can't be here doing what we are doing, and not a day of "celebration"

 

[tallhair]

Someone needs to relax a little and think about the appropriateness of judging others you don't actually know anything about other than a few comments on an internet forum

 

[tbm3fan]

Maybe so but then one needs to have been in his shoes for 20 years at which point they may think twice. I'm sure no one would want to say Happy Memorial Day to any of these families who lost loved ones in just the last two months in Afghanistan.

http://freedomremembered.com/index.php/category/recent-casualties/

Wouldn't be surprised if one of these soldiers isn't nominated for a MOH.

[video=youtube_share;XS6aRmpTZvI]http://youtu.be/XS6aRmpTZvI[/video]

 

[tallhair]

I don't have any idea what Patrick did or feels but I'm certain it's nothing but honorable and his intentions are as well just as yours are and I don't and won't judge. Many on this forum have served or have had family or friends that served. My son just finished a 6 year enlistment and I respected him for doing his part but worried about him all the time. I served in the Air Force for 24 years in the medical field, deployed and helped care for the wounded, and honored them and helped care for those that came to our facility in Croatia back in the early 90's during the Bosnia Herzegovina conflict and in the Desert during this war and Iraq. Not all made it back home safely, some didn't even make it to our MASH alive in Zagreb, or didn't make it out of there, I won't talk about them any more than to say I still see the images in my mind and sometimes dream about it.

I continue to serve the AF as a Civil Servant, for 6 years now and talk to the theater daily. My duties include supporting the AE system that brings the injured back to higher echelons of care in theater and then back to Germany and the US to facilities nearest their families to continue treatment. So I am extremely familiar with what happens during conflicts and have seen it first hand more than I can count. We medics don't carry arms in combat, but some of my friends have been injured, one of my AD coworkers has a purple heart, and some have been killed by shelling with mortars or during convoy duty. Medics are assigned to support convoy duty and other non-medical tasks and during those times we carry weapons like the rest of the service members and have them to protect ourselves and our patients at the medical facilities.

I respect and honor all fallen soldiers that died to protect our freedoms and those that are still dying or being wounded serving our country in Afghanistan. I've served on AF Base Honor Guard's for over 10 of my 24 years as an active duty service member, and as a member of my local American Legion, and performed well over a 100 burial details and countless veteran or memorial services in the US and England during those years and I tell you I did so honorably along with the rest of the burial party and colors presentations and I don't need someone chastising me or anyone else with nothing but the best intentions who has commented in this thread over a simple choices of words.

We love Mopars which is what brings us together but we don't know much else about each other or what lies in each others hearts and minds so let's calm the judging down and honor those those that have fallen instead of judging one another. I can't speak for Alley or Iron Wolf but I'm sure they do honor our fallen service men just as much as I do or wouldn't even have commented at all.

 

[detmatt]

Well said Bryan, thanks. I've taken my moments to recognize and now I plan to have a happy Memorial Day and try to enjoy what those that have served and fought for have helped enable us to have.

Thanks to all in our armed forces who have served or are serving, both living and dead.

 

[AlleyOop2]

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone. I know what the day means, and what it means to people. I didn't know it would be so politically incorrect for so many years...........................