Memorial Day observances

[An Observer]

Thanks to whoever started this post.

I also love Memorial Day and have gone to all the services since I was a little girl. One thing that I found really bizarre was that a couple of years ago a large group of the friends, families and all, some 50 or so of them, had a paint gun war party on Memorial Day. They divided themselves into warring parties and then shot each other with paint ball guns until one side won. I heard from many folks that it was a riot.

I was too out spokenly critical but having been raised Catholic and raised to believe Memorial Day was a solemn day of reflection, I couldn't contain my disbelief and horror that some of the friends in Minnesota thought that was the kind of family fun appropriate for Memorial Day.

I often think that because many of the friends here don't volunteer for the military, they simply don't grasp the tremendous price that has been paid for them to have the freedom to serve God in the way that they do. If some of those young and middle aged professing parents had ever lost their own child in war, they would never be playing a game of kill each other on Memorial Day and encouraging their children to join in their folly.

[Correction]

May 25, 2008 22:59:24 GMT -5 @An Observer said:

Thanks to whoever started this post.

I also love Memorial Day and have gone to all the services since I was a little girl. One thing that I found really bizarre was that a couple of years ago a large group of the friends, families and all, some 50 or so of them, had a paint gun war party on Memorial Day. They divided themselves into warring parties and then shot each other with paint ball guns until one side won. I heard from many folks that it was a riot.

I was too out spokenly critical but having been raised Catholic and raised to believe Memorial Day was a solemn day of reflection, I couldn't contain my disbelief and horror that some of the friends in Minnesota thought that was the kind of family fun appropriate for Memorial Day.

I often think that because many of the friends here don't volunteer for the military, they simply don't grasp the tremendous price that has been paid for them to have the freedom to serve God in the way that they do. If some of those young and middle aged professing parents had ever lost their own child in war, they would never be playing a game of kill each other on Memorial Day and encouraging their children to join in their folly.

Many do volunteer but in a CO status--they thus become medics.
However, I would like to know "How many on the forum have blood on their heart because the were combat veterans'?

To the greater question for which I have been asking many a group during this memorial day is "How many have actually been in the Heat of Battle"? I have found very few out in the celebrations who have actually been in the heat of battle.

Seems most of these guy and gals just stay home. Most are sick of all the people seeking glory to align themselves with the combat seasoned veterans to include other military type vets. Example -- I Spoke with a group of VFW guys who were supporting a wreath laying at a local monument. I was invited and went because some jets were to do a fly over- I think they are cool. I am a disabled Combat Veteran. I stood at the back of the group.

Mean while the people up front who wanted face time included a two local government leaders--Neither served in military. One VA rep whole also was not combat veteran. Then there was the VFW members. Of them all a total of 6 shows. Only one was a combat veteran. He was up front holding a flag but never was allowed to speak. This is my local VFW and I know who they are---One guy who served in Korea towards the end of the VN war, was very active in the VFW. He never saw combat. He drove a truck. In my discussion with him he said that he thought all veterans who were coming home with extreme trauma should be forced into hospitalization.

These are the types who want to wave flags? Let the combat troops have the floor this day. Let them cry and weep for what they have seen. Let them tell of the battle field. That is how we will know what memorial day is all about. Seems many want to wave their flags but in reality want to turn their eyes away from the solders.

History-----Mustard Gas Solders WWI ---Illnesses denied
-----WWII Atomic war vets---------Illnesses denied
-----Navy (aspostose)---------------Illnesses denied
-----VN Agent Orange--------------Illnesses denied
-----Gulf I------------------------------Illnesses denied
-----Today-----------------------------Read the News
All Solders from the beginning of time----War Trauma Ignored

If one serves in hostile combat they will be forever changed
They will suffer from PTSD. This is a normal reaction to a very abnormal situation for which they were in----

One would be a sociopath if they did not suffer from war trauma.
My two cents. My nickle.

[correction]

Please forgive my horrible spelling---I was rambling in my thoughts and was to lazy to make it write right ;D

[degem]

To correction: very interesting post you wrote. You stated that you are a disabled Combat
Veteran- don't feel like you have to answer but what branch of the military did you
serve in? Thanks Gem

[Correction]

May 26, 2008 11:09:42 GMT -5 @degem said:

To correction: very interesting post you wrote. You stated that you are a disabled Combat
Veteran- don't feel like you have to answer but what branch of the military did you
serve in? Thanks Gem

Army- Hit with Ak47-3 rounds, blown up-shrapnel and other such things. A few awards which only mean something to me.

[degem]

Were you in the Vietnam War correction?

[Correction]

May 26, 2008 11:35:23 GMT -5 @degem said:

Were you in the Vietnam War correction?

I thought you would have gathered that from the AK47. But, then I realized that is the weapon of choice that Americas enemies use even today.

[degem]

I have heard of the AK-47 -I asked one of my sons to
explain about it and he told me all about it.

[Scott Ross]

Well....

I enjoyed the Memorial Day services I attended this weekend.

On Sunday I went to the Nowthen church which was honoring women veterans. Each year they honor veterans with a different theme. The main speaker was Frances Beck.

Frances copied intercepted Japanese code during World War II, and shared her experiences. It was fascinating to listen to, and afterward I visited with her and when I told her that I translated intercepted Czechoslovakian military communications while I was in the Army, her eyes lit up and we had a real nice visit. I have found that there is a real connection between veterans that spans the years.

Here is a picture of Frances and I



Incidentally, I got caught in the storm that went through on the way home from the service, and was riding my motorcycle in POURING rain, and driving on a road covered with hail and tree debris on the way home, while tornado sirens sounded around me.....

Bikers can be a bit stupid at times......

Luckily today was a beautiful day, so I jumped on 'Big Red' and headed south to a Memorial Day service and parade. About 400 miles later I made it home this evening. What a great day!

Here are some pictures:

Getting started with the parade



This veteran was on the sidewalk looking like he wanted to join us, so I waved him out. He almost ran over me to get in with the rest of us bikers:



Then I couldn't keep up with him.....



We ended up at the Veterans Cemetery, where there was a really great service.

This was a speaker who was stationed in Afghanistan:



This is a Vietnam vet that saw my 1st Infantry Division patch on my vest, so we visited for a while as he was in the 'Big red One' also:



The crowd:



And at the end, the gun salute:



Followed by TAPS:



Proud to be an American Vet:




Thanks to all you who have served our great country!

Scott

[calleduntoliberty]

Albert Lea is a nice town.

[calleduntoliberty]

Let's remember the contributions of our troops on Memorial Day.


Political statement removed. Have some respect.

[Admin]

Scott, love the pics!

While I hate the idea of war, I have the utmost respect for those caught up in it, including my grandfather and his suffering from the effects of mustard gas.