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Post by ilylo on May 7, 2008 16:33:30 GMT -5
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Post by Jesse_Lackman on May 7, 2008 17:00:55 GMT -5
Thanks, ilylo. ~ It is the Soldier, not the reporter Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the Soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the Soldier, not the lawyer, Who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the Soldier, who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protestor to burn the flag. ---Father Denis Edward O'Brien, USMC ~  |
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sorcron
Senior Member
wish I could think up something witty to put here...
Posts: 215
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Post by sorcron on May 7, 2008 17:13:43 GMT -5
I recall when the traveling wall was in our town in 1995 or 6, an army general, who had been a captain or so in Vietnam spoke, and apologized on behalf of the govt or the military (I forget which now) that the nation had fought in Vietnam. That was quite a speech to hear. There were the usual collection of vets there, and I recall many going to shake hands with this general. I have oftern wondered what came down as a result of that, and what motivated it.
In an aside, ilylo, I think I used to visualize yor name as "ill'-ee-oh", but seems like the more accurate is "I-lie-low"?
cheers, sorcron
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cat
Junior Member
Posts: 182
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Post by cat on May 7, 2008 17:41:54 GMT -5
Last Saturday our area hosted a fishing weekend for disabled vets. Our school was one of the ones lined up along the road waving flags. Unfortunately my kids and I were unable to attend. From what I understand it was a pretty big weekend. Im sorry I missed it.
Thanks for this thread!! The pics and the poem are great!!
Christ's Blessings
cat
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Post by calleduntoliberty on May 7, 2008 18:37:49 GMT -5
sorcron, glad to hear a military man admit to that. Also glad that the veterans did not interpret it as a condemnation of themselves personally. Thanks.
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Post by Scott Ross on May 7, 2008 22:50:59 GMT -5
Thanks for the thread Ilylo, I rode to a parade by myself last year on memorial day. Normally I have someone along with me, but it was a great ride. Once there I joined other bikers for about a 5 block parade. Put a few hundred miles on the bike for those 5 blocks... Was a great ride, and well worth it.    Scott  |
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Post by Admin on May 8, 2008 0:17:52 GMT -5
I rode to a parade by myself last year on memorial day. Normally I have someone along with me, but it was a great ride. Once there I joined other bikers for about a 5 block parade. Put a few hundred miles on the bike for those 5 blocks... Was a great ride, and well worth it. Hey Scotty.. who you pointing that weapon at?? (and isn't that the Brit flag... you a Loyalist, mate?) ;D |
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Post by ilylo on May 8, 2008 8:30:33 GMT -5
(and isn't that the Brit flag... you a Loyalist, mate?) ;D Perhaps he captured it. :-) Great pictures, Scott. Thanks for sharing. Here's a salute to the Minnesota Patriot Guard.  |
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Post by ilylo on May 8, 2008 8:35:19 GMT -5
I thought the firetrucks holding the battle ensign was a nice touch.  |
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Post by ilylo on May 8, 2008 13:11:50 GMT -5
May we never forget....  |
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Post by ilylo on May 8, 2008 15:39:22 GMT -5
Day is done...  |
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Post by Admin on May 8, 2008 18:22:56 GMT -5
(and isn't that the Brit flag... you a Loyalist, mate?) ;D Perhaps he captured it. :-) HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! ;D ;D ;D Gentle Scotty.. striking mortal terror into the Brit's ;D |
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Post by Scott Ross on May 10, 2008 21:43:11 GMT -5
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! ;D ;D ;D
Gentle Scotty.. striking mortal terror into the Brit's ;D  Yeah.... Gotta look out for me!!! Scott
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Post by ex-teenager on May 12, 2008 16:22:36 GMT -5
I agree ilylo on that one. Lets never forget those who have died to protect our liberty.
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Post by ilylo on May 23, 2008 0:51:52 GMT -5
Please attend the Memorial Day observance in your communities this coming Monday, May 26. Let us know how it went.  |
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Post by degem on May 23, 2008 9:31:55 GMT -5
 I grew up in a small town. I remember very well the Memorial Day parade we had every year. It was a big event. Us kids would sit on the side of the street (parade went through the main street of our town) waving our small US flags on sticks. The high school band marched and played patriotic songs. Old war veterans walking proudly. Different branches of the military with a flag guard (not sure if that is the proper name) marching. People cheering...Of course, as kids, we loved when the fire truck went through throwing out candy to the crowds. But us kids still knew the importance of that day. It represented those who had gone to war, the soldiers who had fought for the freedom of our land , some giving their lives. If my memory serves me right, the parade ended up at the town cemetary, with a gun salute to those who had died in wars. To this day, when I hear "Taps" I cry. Gem
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Post by ilylo on May 23, 2008 9:54:07 GMT -5
Different branches of the military with a flag guard (not sure if that is the proper name) marching. That would be "color guard." The is oft referred to as "colors", and in ceremony is "guarded" at all times to signify protection of the nation. Colors are raised in the morning, normally 8:00 AM...excuse me, at 0800...and lowered in the evening at sundown. When a civilian ship meets a Navy vessel in passing, the civilian craft will lower its flag in salute, known as "dipping the colors", and the Navy ship will return the dip in acknowledgement. This is the only situation where U.S. colors are ever dipped. |
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Post by degem on May 23, 2008 10:05:50 GMT -5
Thanks for the info ilylo-appreciate it. Gem |
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Post by degem on May 23, 2008 11:06:13 GMT -5
Patriotism means:national loyalty. Patriotic means: expressing
or inspired by patriotism. Patriot means: a person who loves,
supports, and defends his or her country and its interests.
I believe real patriotism is alive and well in our country. Let's
face it, people don't need an excuse to drink beer.
We have many interesting articles in our newspaper about
war veterans who relate their war experiences. In the last
several years, in our area, we have had several young soldiers
die being in the Iraq war . Thousands turned out to stand along
the streets to pay homage to them as the funeral procession
went by.
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Post by Yesterday on May 23, 2008 11:23:07 GMT -5
Patriotism means:national loyalty. Patriotic means: expressing or inspired by patriotism. Patriot means: a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests. I believe real patriotism is alive and well in our country. Let's face it, people don't need an excuse to drink beer. We have many interesting articles in our newspaper about war veterans who relate their war experiences. In the last several years, in our area, we have had several young soldiers die being in the Iraq war . Thousands turned out to stand along the streets to pay homage to them as the funeral procession went by. Patriotism is SERVING and allowing Images to resolve of Veterans who post them.
George Washington said, "The willingness with which our young
people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified,
shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans
of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country." |
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Post by Scott Ross on May 23, 2008 13:18:36 GMT -5
Hey Gem!  Here are the most popular words that go with 'TAPS' Words to Taps
(Note: there are no "official" words to Taps
below are the most popular.)
Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.
Go to sleep,
peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
or sailor,
God keep.
On the land
or the deep,
Safe in sleep.
Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.
Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well;
Day has gone,
Night is on.
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
'Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh. Scott |
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Post by Scott Ross on May 23, 2008 13:34:53 GMT -5
I'm on my computer at work, so the pictures aren't with this article...
SOON TO BE GONE
By A MILITARY DOCTOR
This should be required reading in every school and college in our country. This Captain, an Army doctor, deserves a medal himself for putting this together. If you choose not to pass it on, fine, but I think you will want to, after you read it.
I am a doctor specializing in the Emergency Departments of the only two military Level One-Trauma Centers, both in San Antonio, TX and they care for civilian Emergencies as well as military personnel. San Antonio has the largest military retiree population in the world living here. As a military doctor, I work long hours and the pay is less than glamorous. One tends to become jaded by the long hours, lack of sleep, food, family contact and the endless parade of human suffering passing before you. The arrival of another ambulance does not mean more pay, only more work.
Most often, it is a victim from a motor vehicle crash.
Often it is a person of dubious character who has been shot or stabbed. With our large military retiree population, it is often a nursing home patient. Even with my enlisted service and minimal combat experience in Panama, I have caught myself groaning when the ambulance brought in yet another sick, elderly person from one of the local retirement centers that cater to military retirees. I had not stopped to think of what citizens of this age group represented.
I saw 'Saving Private Ryan.' I was touched deeply. Not so much by the carnage, but by the sacrifices of so many. I was touched most by the scene of the elderly survivor at the graveside, asking his wife if he'd been a good man. I realized that I had seen these same men and women coming through my Emergency Dept and had not realized what magnificent sacrifices they had made. The things they did for me and everyone else that has lived on this planet since the end of that conflict are priceless.
Situation permitting, I now try to ask my patients about their experiences. They would never bring up the subject without the inquiry. I have been privileged to an amazing array of experiences, recounted in the brief minutes allowed in an Emergency Dept. encounter. These experiences have revealed the incredible individuals I have had the honor of serving in a medical capacity, many on their last admission to the hospital.
There was a frail, elderly woman who reassured my young enlisted medic, trying to start an IV line in her arm. She remained calm and poised, despite her illness and the multiple needle-sticks into her fragile veins. She was what we call a 'hard stick.' As the medic made another attempt, I noticed a number tattooed across her forearm. I touched it with one finger and looked into her eyes She simply said, 'Auschwitz.' Many of later generations would have loudly and openly berated the young medic in his many attempts. How different was the response from this person who'd seen unspeakable suffering.
Also, there was this long retired Colonel, who as a young officer had parachuted from his burning plane over a Pacific Island held by the Japanese. Now an octogenarian, he had a minor cut on his head from a fall at his home where he lived alone. His CT scan and suturing had been delayed until after midnight by the usual parade of high priority ambulance patients. Still spry for his age, he asked to use the phone to call a taxi, to take him home, then he realized his ambulance had brought him without his wallet. He asked if he could use the phone to make a long distance call to his daughter who lived 7 miles away. With great pride we told him that he could not, as he'd done enough for his country and the least we could do was get him a taxi home, even if we had to pay for it ourselves. My only regret was that my shift wouldn't end for several hours, and I couldn't drive him myself.
I was there the night M/Sgt. Roy Benavidez came through the Emergency Dept. for the last time. He was very sick. I was not the doctor taking care of him, but I walked to his bedside and took his hand. I said nothing. He was so sick, he didn't know I was there. I'd read his Congressional Medal of Honor citation and wanted to shake his hand. He died a few days later.
The gentleman who served with Merrill's Marauders,
the survivor of the Bataan Death March,
the survivor of Omaha Beach,
the 101 year old World War I veteran.
The former POW held in frozen North Korea,
The former Special Forces medic - now with non-operable liver cancer,
the former Viet Nam Corps Commander.
I remember these citizens.
I may still groan when yet another ambulance comes in, but now I am much more aware of what an honor it is to serve these particular men and women.
I have seen a Congress who would turn their back on these individuals who've sacrificed so much to protect our liberty. I see later generations that seem to be totally engrossed in abusing these same liberties, won with such sacrifice.
It has become my personal endeavor to make the nurses and young enlisted medics aware of these amazing individuals when I encounter them in our Emergency Dept. Their response to these particular citizens has made me think that perhaps all is not lost in the next generation.
My experiences have solidified my belief that we are losing an incredible generation, and this nation knows not what it is losing. Our uncaring government and ungrateful civilian populace should all take note. We should all remember that we must 'Earn this.'
Written By Capt.Stephen R. Ellison, M.D. US Army
If it weren't for the United States military,
there'd be NO United States of America.
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Post by ilylo on May 23, 2008 14:36:16 GMT -5
Scott,
Thanks for posting that article.
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Post by ironman on May 23, 2008 19:06:15 GMT -5
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Post by CherieKropp on May 24, 2008 10:21:38 GMT -5
This service takes place in December of each year - and is a beautiful tribute to the fallen soldiers. I have a cousin involved in this group in Idaho. WreathsAcrossAmerica.org Our Mission: to Remember - Honor - and Teach Remember the fallen; Honor those who serve; Teach our children the value of freedom. www.nc082.com/WreathsAcrossAmerica.aspxTheir website says: The Wreaths Across America story began over 15 years ago when Worcester Wreath Company (a for-profit commercial business from Harrington, Maine) began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones of our Nation's fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays. Over that period of time, Worcester Wreath has donated 90,000 wreaths which were placed by volunteers in a wreath-laying ceremony each December. But as word spread, the mission to Remember; Honor; and Teach about the sacrifices made by our veterans has captured the hearts and minds of many communities across the Country. In December 2007, 286 participating locations hosted Wreaths Across America ceremonies overseeing the placement of 32,553 wreaths on the headstones of those who served and sacrificed for our freedoms. We invite you to join us in 2008 at any of the wreath-laying ceremonies to be held concurrently on Saturday, December 13th, 2008 at 12:00 noon |
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Post by ilylo on May 24, 2008 10:56:54 GMT -5
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Post by ilylo on May 24, 2008 20:11:10 GMT -5
USS Underwood (FFG-36) in the lead. This photo is several years old. The ship on the right, the USS Ticonderoga (DDG/CG-47) was decomm'ed in '04.  |
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Post by ilylo on May 24, 2008 20:34:48 GMT -5
May we never forget those who died protecting our liberties.  |
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I grew up in a small town. I remember very well the 
