our land.

To all, an unconditional "Thank You!"  Especially to my childhood friend in Iraq.

Everyday should be Memorial Day for our troops, past and present. Thank you to all of you!!!

I mean that from my soul. Thank you all!!!

Last year I was in Normandy, France on Memorial Day.  I spent almost 5 weeks in the region and I was fortunate to have one of the foremost WW2 historians as my guide.

I mentioned then, right here, that it changed my life. Everywhere I went there were memorials to the U.S. serviceman. Most don't know this, but in the Normandy American cemetery at Omaha every American service person's grave is tended by a French family. There is still a profound sense of gratitude shown by those folks. I was in tears most of the time. You cannot help but sense what happened there and sometimes it's overwhelming.

When I visited the Utah Beach Memorial the French director of the museum presented me with a certificate of citizenship for the town at Utah and a medal of service. It was in the name of my 89 year old beloved uncle who had served. I toted it all over Europe in the next few months and gave it to him in the fall. His response was like most of that generation. He received it matter of factly. He was no hero, it was his duty.

I came away with a sense of pride not only for our servicemen and women but for the all who endured during that difficult time. It took sacrifice and courage and great loss of life to win AND to rebuild in the difficult years after.

Thousands of folks of all generations from all over the world make this pilgrimage still. Why? Lest we or they ever forget.

In that spirit, let's continue to remember the brave men and woman who have served and serve in all conflicts. We may not always agree with the politics of war but they deserve our homage.

Sincerely,
Anneke

I wrote this poem when my sister left for her tour in Afhganistan, not long after 9/11. Since then she has also done two tours in Iraq. For the last two years she has been stateside as a Jumpmaster instructor. Later this year though, she will be going back for another tour. I wish her and all of our brave men and women safety and a swift return to their family and loved ones, and they have my deepest gratitude.

My Soldier Girl


She walks in light,

Her feet upon the brink

The strength she bears

Resting soft upon her feet.



Where she goes

only fearless hearts may dare

Yet with lions heart

She ventures without care.



This soldier girl, my hero girl,

A child of peace and light,

A woman of the world

Her dreams beaming bright.



Defender, protector,

Guardian and guide

Eyes full of laughter,

Her head held with pride



This child of God

My soldier girl,

My heart and soul,

My sister, my friend



S.

I admire and support all who have served our country in the military irrespective of any policy concerns I have. Lets remember and reflect upon all who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country this weekend. Compassion and freedom from suffering for their families.

Nothing more to add.  My parents were both WWII vets, mom an Army nurse, dad a Navy Lt.  I have some of their stuff, uniforms, medals, my dad's M1 rifle with some live ammo.

They did what they had to do.  Whether or not we agree with current politics about the war, we have to support the young men and women who go and offer up their lives for us.

GO USA!!!!!!  Love the men and women in uniform!!!!

Swim

families who have to endure not knowing where their loved ones are who are serving or if they're safe or injured -- or worse, God forbid.
Thank you for your thoughts.

To my veteran friends who are still serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, I am praying for you every day. Nothing on any of these boards could be as bad as what war veterans have been through.

Hugs,
Ciara

I'll have to meet your sister some day. We share something in common. She's a jumpmaster? Very impressive. She has to be a very disciplined and strong woman.


Hugs,
Ciara

Last December she became a Master Jumpmaster. To say that I am very proud of her is a massive understatement. She is my hero

My daughter has now done 2 tours in Iraq. Her husband is currently on his tour in Iraq.

While, as a parent, I don't want my "little girl" in harm's way, I couldn't be more proud of what she has taken on and chosen to do.
She is MY hero and always will be.

Thank you to all our veterans her, on this board, and all across the world, who have, and are now, putting their lives on the line for us.

Just my opinion...
B

and for what you have given this country in the fulfillment of that service.

Just my opinion...
B

Your words are best expressed on Armed Forces Day (for those presently serving), on the third Saturday in May (last Saturday) or Veterans Day (for past armed forces members still alive), on November 11th.

If it were not for all of our members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Our Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence would be worthless sheets of paper with just so many words inscribed

When someone declares that our Constitution GURANTEES them this right or that that freedom, I have a tendency to laugh.  The words may sound powerful but they are simply words. They have no power. It is the people that dedicate themselves and their lives that generate the actual power behind the words or put the power into the words.

The next time you see a man or woman in uniform, go out of your way to thank them for their dedication, service and sacrifice.

Good Post Ed, and I agree with all of it. This comment isn't about me (I'm more Veteran's Day), my Mom (also an Army nurse) or my Dad; my 20 years; or my daughter's throwing caution to the wind with her nursing career, after 9/11, joining up at an older age, and helping many of the troops in Iraq.

Rather, it is about a slant not yet particularly discussed in this thread. There are some of the Ladies on the Boards - who have also been there. A couple of them who I know, are among my very favorite Ladies. We get along amazingly well. Perhaps, it is because we know the other has "been there", and that we have the same fortitude in our make up. We knew what was important (to us) and did it.

To these Ladies within our community - I salute you. While this may not be "your" day, in the same vein, we all have comrades, for whom this Day has too much meaning.

Perfectly stated.

As a retired navy reserve officer, I salute your sister and all those who give so much of themselves for such a selfless cause.

World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 26, 2003

. . . it was not soft power that freed Europe. It was hard power. And what followed immediately after hard power? Did the United States ask for dominion over a single nation in Europe? No. Soft power came in the Marshall Plan. Soft power came with American GIs who put their weapons down once the war was over and helped all those nations rebuild. We did the same thing in Japan.

So our record of living our values and letting our values be an inspiration to others I think is clear. And I don't think I have anything to be ashamed of or apologize for with respect to what America has done for the world.

We have gone forth from our shores repeatedly over the last hundred years and we’ve done this as recently as the last year in Afghanistan and put wonderful young men and women at risk, many of whom have lost their lives, and WE HAVE ASKED FOR NOTHING EXCEPT ENOUGH GROUND TO BURY THEM IN, and otherwise we have returned home to seek our own, you know, to seek our own lives in peace, to live our own lives in peace. But there comes a time when soft power or talking with evil will not work where, unfortunately, hard power is the only thing that works.

These are the Heroes, the Patriots and the young Americans of today’s society who will be forever engraved in the heart of our Country for all that they gave and for all that they sacrificed.

When we remember these Americans, it should make you proud to say you love your Country and you are Proud to be an American. Try to remember as you think of this Memorial Day that All gave some and some gave all… ….”and some stood through for the red, white and blue. And some had to fall And If you ever think of me Think of all of your liberties and recall Some gave all”

and protect that which is dear to us.  God bless our servicemen both here and abroad.

A Salute to you too dear! :::kisses:::