John Harlan Sweet, James Howard Owens, Ralph Mears, Patrick Ward, Pablo Garza and the 110 PAVN soldiers lost at LZ Oasis 5/11/69.
I have flown among the trees and looked into the face of the enemy.
May 24, 2018, 09:10 PM
JR78
My Pop, 1919-1991. WWII, Korea & Vietnam My brother, Just Cause, Gulf War 1, Iraq x2 and fighting the demons.
______________________________ Men who carry guns for a living do not seek reward outside of the guild. The most cherished gift is a nod from his peers.
May 24, 2018, 09:36 PM
greco
I have a difficult time with this day. So many family members no longer with us, and all put in their time keeping fascism and communism from encroaching in their homeland:
Grandfathers on both sides— WWI My Father and uncle— WWII My brother and cousin—-VN
All deceased now. I sure miss them.
God Bless everyone that protected us then, now, our country, and our way of life.
Never be more than one step away from your sword-Old Greek Wisdom
May 24, 2018, 10:32 PM
preten2b
The uncle I never met. Mitchell, George F, S1c, KIA, NCB 133, Harrisburg, Pa, USN, 19 Feb 1945 Iwo Jima
------------------ The plural of anecdote is not data. -Frank Kotsonis
May 25, 2018, 02:50 AM
Elk Hunter
I had a number of family members who served in WW2. All came home safely after some bad experiences. They were all in the navy and all of them got to experience the Kamikaze attacks.
Each of their ships was hit at least once.
I had no family involved in Viet Nam. I did have several close buddies who went to "Nam".
I was one of 9 commo troops in our unit in Germany who got alerted to go to 'Nam. I was the only one who did not go. Of the 8 who went, 5 did not come home.
Memorial Day has a special meaning for me.
Damn, damn! Monitor acting up again.
Elk
There has never been an occasion where a people gave up their weapons in the interest of peace that didn't end in their massacre. (Louis L'Amour)
"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical. " -Thomas Jefferson
"America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great." Alexis de Tocqueville
FBHO!!!
The Idaho Elk Hunter
May 25, 2018, 06:52 AM
spunk639
Every Sailor, Marine, Soldier, Airman and Police Officer who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Fair winds and following seas.
May 25, 2018, 07:58 AM
dusty3030
Steve and I went in and were in delayed entry program together. He went over the side of the Tripoli they never found the body.
All the guys in my battalion from Iraq who did not Make it home. I recite a poem first wrote in World War One by a member of our battalion who was subsequently lost in 1918, adding the names of our fallen from Iraq. A heavy burden for an old officer is knowing you made decisions that resulted in someone not coming home. I also give thanks for being one of the lucky ones who made it home safely. Make the most of the life I have in honor of those that made the ultimate sacrifice
May 25, 2018, 11:48 AM
joatmonv
Grandfather - WW1 2 Uncles - WW2 A good friend from High school - Iraq
I don't grill, drink or anything on Memorial Day.
I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I'm not.
May 25, 2018, 11:52 AM
ulsterman
Too many to list. Take a knee, say a prayer, shed a tear.
May 25, 2018, 01:35 PM
molachi
All the fallen members of all our services, especially my uncle who was shot down over Burma in WW II.
May 25, 2018, 02:07 PM
95flhr
Those I served with and all who have served and paid the ultimate price.
“Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.” ― Ronald Reagan
Retired old fart
May 25, 2018, 03:15 PM
jerkyjer
I always go back to thinking about all the mia airmen who never came home from se asia. It's a little closer to my age and relatable I guess.
We do live in an un-fn-believable country.
JK
War Eagle!
May 25, 2018, 04:05 PM
old rugged cross
A friend "Jimmie", who came home from se Asia still fighting and died too soon. All who died on our behalf. RIP
"Practice like you want to play in the game"
May 25, 2018, 09:16 PM
rexles
My good friend Robert Hartley USMC who died in Viet Nam from friendly fire 1969.
NRA Life member NRA Certified Instructor "Our duty is to serve the mission, and if we're not doing that, then we have no right to call what we do service" Marcus Luttrell
May 25, 2018, 09:33 PM
a1abdj
Sargent Elly Magruder, Missouri Army National Guard, 25 years old in 2004.
A Veteran, whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."
May 26, 2018, 12:10 AM
mbinky
I have posted this many times, but I still think of Master Guns. He pointed me in the right direction. Semper Fi and God bless you on this day.