In memory...
- Thread starter VF21
- Start date
Today, our country remembers those who never came home from war. The soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who made the ultimate sacrifice.
So on this day, I remember you, thank you and honor you for serving and dying in duty to your country. Thank you for the unimaginable sacrifice you made for all of us. I do so with a heavy heart, knowing the grief your parents, siblings, spouses, children and friends had to suffer for the rest of their lives.
Thank you from the depths of my heart. It's a debt I can never repay. All I can do is to do as much as I ca to make sure you are never forgotten.
So on this day, I remember you, thank you and honor you for serving and dying in duty to your country. Thank you for the unimaginable sacrifice you made for all of us. I do so with a heavy heart, knowing the grief your parents, siblings, spouses, children and friends had to suffer for the rest of their lives.
Thank you from the depths of my heart. It's a debt I can never repay. All I can do is to do as much as I ca to make sure you are never forgotten.
My father was in WWII, my two brothers in Viet Nam, and my 12 Navy years were spent peacefully away from flying bullets. War should be the last option as REAL people die. None from my family, thankfully, but I lost three friends and although Memorial Day is supposed to be a time to honor people, and I do, it also brings up memories of fat cat old people in government using our young and vigorous men and women to fulfill their political and economic desires with little consideration for the people who will die because of their decisions. Memorial Day is a two edged sword for me. I hope for the day when we have no need for more Memorial Days.
I fervently second that last hope, Glenn. I have not always agreed with what battles our government has chosen to fight. But I've never blamed the soldiers, sailors and airmen for doing what they felt was their duty to their country, whether they agreed with their country or not whether they were drafted or volunteered.
My father and my uncle were WWII vets and my ex-husband actually served in Korea during the Vietnam War era.
A large segment of my extended family were anti-Vietnam war protesters. None of us ever disrespected those who actually went and fought, many involuntarily. No matter the cause or the reason, too many come home in a coffin and the rest come home scarred by war, never the same.
My father and my uncle were WWII vets and my ex-husband actually served in Korea during the Vietnam War era.
A large segment of my extended family were anti-Vietnam war protesters. None of us ever disrespected those who actually went and fought, many involuntarily. No matter the cause or the reason, too many come home in a coffin and the rest come home scarred by war, never the same.
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My late father joined the Merchant Marines at age 17 to serve during final months of WWII in hostile waters. He had an older brother fighting in the Pacific and desperately wanted to do his patriotic part.
After that war dad joined the U.S. Air Force and was in Korean War and Viet Nam War - serving almost 30 years in uniform. He only got to wear "WWII, Korea, Viet Nam veteran" hat much later as originally Merchant Marines were not recognized for their WWII service and also he was "only" in theatre of operations during VN War, stationed at a fighter-bomber air base in Thailand. He was a very humble vet (like many of his era), rarely talking about his long proud service and never bragging about any heroic feats.
I was fortunate as a military dependent (along with my mother and sister) to see the world almost as much as him growing up. We lived in various parts of Western Europe, Mid East and East Asia - what an education! Good bless all our veterans and especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
After that war dad joined the U.S. Air Force and was in Korean War and Viet Nam War - serving almost 30 years in uniform. He only got to wear "WWII, Korea, Viet Nam veteran" hat much later as originally Merchant Marines were not recognized for their WWII service and also he was "only" in theatre of operations during VN War, stationed at a fighter-bomber air base in Thailand. He was a very humble vet (like many of his era), rarely talking about his long proud service and never bragging about any heroic feats.
I was fortunate as a military dependent (along with my mother and sister) to see the world almost as much as him growing up. We lived in various parts of Western Europe, Mid East and East Asia - what an education! Good bless all our veterans and especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.