Memorial Day 2007

We celebrate Memorial Day, May 28.

In Flanders Fields
By John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly.
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

This was the poem written by World War I Colonel John McCrae, a surgeon with Canada 's First Brigade Artillery. It expressed McCrae's grief over the "row on row" of graves of soldiers who had died on Flanders' battlefields, located in a region of western Belgium and northern France. The poem presented a striking image of the bright red flowers blooming among the rows of white crosses and became a rallying cry to all who fought in the First World War. The first printed version of it reportedly was in December 1915, in the British magazine Punch.

www1.va.gov...

In memory of L/Cpl Dennis J. Kane, USMC, KIA, 1969, RVN, Age:19.

Let us take time to remember all who died in the defense of freedom around the world.



[edit on 2007/5/28 by GradyPhilpott]

Just a moment out of our otherwise busy days isn't too much to ask. These young men and women, children really, gave everything they had for their homes and families and country. Some, like my father, gave for three wars worth (WWII, Korea, and Vietnam) and has the health issues to prove it. My brother is headed over to do it again.

Let's take that moment and remember the ones who didn't make it back, remember them as they were, and will be in our memories and hearts: Forever young...

We all have to remember, that FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE.

Semper

So we never forget....



Semper

Grady,

Wow that poem really moved me. Its beautiful, thank you.

My little University has some very fine artist and today at noon they will unveil a mural to honor the Veterans form this area. It will be installed on the library wall outside by the US and Okla. State flags for all to see.

I wouldn't miss it for the world.

This part of the poem was in the Oklahoman today.

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

How true.

Roper

My Brothers

My Comrades

My Friends

I shall never forget you.

Semper

Ever notice how few responses these threads get?

Sad really, that so few people seem to remember the sacrifices of men and women much like them, who gave everything to help maintain our freedoms.

I'm headed out to do some remembering, I'll see you all tommorrow...

I don't think that it's necessary for everyone to chime in on these threads, but I think that it is important for someone to post a reminder of what our holidays really stand for.

It's good for enough people to post to keep the thread popping up from time to time.

We should remember also that the real Memorial Day is on May 31.

Thank you, Grady. It's been awhile since I last read it.

In memory of Michael Mitchell SSG, Sadr City 02/27/79-04/04/04

Originally posted by seagull
Ever notice how few responses these threads get?.

Yeah, I made a thread like this in BTS and didn't get one response.

Rest in Peace Dad! USAF

Grady,

Thanks for posting the poem the sacrifices of our troops should never be forgotten. That poem said it all.

Semper,

Thanks to you too. That video brought tears to my eyes.

God Bless our troops and keep them safe in your loving arms.

An homage to the legacy of Vietnam.

www.operationmom.org...

Thanks for the poem Grady.And thanks for that video Semperfortis.Its ashame that some posters to these boards cant understand that their freedom to speak their positions here was paid for with the most precious commodity known,human blood,sweat and tears.May God bless the defenders of our freedoms past,present and future.

Originally posted by GradyPhilpott
An homage to the legacy of Vietnam.

www.operationmom.org...

WOW Grady,

That was exceptional!!!!

Thank you for sharing that...

Semper

Grady,

that was outstanding. Thanks for sharing.

Grady.

That link was, and is, inspired. Thank you.

I'm a little late to chime in here on this thread. I saw it this morning for the first time.
Grady, Semp - outstanding posts.
Yes, I am forever grateful for all of those who have fallen for me and my family. These brave men and women gave the ultimate sacrifice. Often times dieing alone and scared in a foreign land. We've all heard the stories of these brave men and women crying for their parents as they lay bleeding out. How can any one of us thank these heroes enough? We can't.
I'm one of the luckiest men in the world. I served, but never had to actually fight. I enjoy priveledges every day that I take for granted. I complain when the McDonalds drive through forgets my fries.
To all of the brave men and women who served and fell, I bow my head and say a prayer of gratefulness to you. It is because of all of you that America is still beautiful.

Originally posted by whaaa
Yeah, I made a thread like this in BTS and didn't get one response.

It also pays to remember that ATS is an global community . People outside of the USA remember those who have served and/or made the ultimate sacrifice.
Anzac day passed with barley a mention anywhere on the ATS boards but I know people in this part of the world still paid there respects.

BTW I think that anyone who politicizes a day like Memorial Day is a sicko.
So finally I would like to pay my respects to American veterans and to those who never made it back many of which would have fought in the same wars that there Anzac brothers in arms did.

Thanks for bringing up ANZAC Day. It certainly wouldn't hurt for folks to bring up their national equivalents of Veterans' Day and Memorial Day.

It is not inappropriate to honor the sacrifices made even by one's enemies.

[edit on 2007/5/31 by GradyPhilpott]