Memorial Day

1stindoor · 05-29-2006, 02:04 AM

Hey Ya'll,
Just wanted to take a moment for Memorial Day, I hope my fellow vets in this forum will take a moment to remember their former team mates that never made it home. My Team is getting ready to roll into a new area that just became accessible because of a bailey bridge we have been working on for the past month. We had the dedication ceremony this morning...we're crossing it heavily armed tonight.

So for me, today's mission is in memory of all those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. Especially for Chad, DC, Clint, Alberto, EZ, and Chris...all members of this firebase that have passed since our deployment began.

De Opresso Liber

Dutchman · 05-29-2006, 05:21 AM

Good luck and Godspeed 1stindoor. I wrote the following on another forum:
"You know I can't stay out of this one. Don't forget the other side of this day, what the Vets themselves feel. I will be taking the 88 yr Old Dutchman to the memorial day sevices here at our veterans square. We will stand tall (as I help him up from his wheelchair, he's 100% disabled) with vets from WWII, Korea, Nam, Iraq and everything in between. We will think of the brothers and sisters we lost, the family and friends we lost and we will pray. We will thank The Lord that we are still here to remember. We will straighten up, salute Old Glory and sing our anthem with every fiber we still possess. The tears will run again and our hearts will break again with the pain of those lost. But we will look each other in the eye, across our generations and we will know that we have shared the sacrifice of giving all we had when we were called upon. God knows where tomorrow leads but at least for this one day,....we are ONE. We are proud. We are Vets."

We'll be thinking of you and your comrades past and present, count on it 1st.

jacktheblack · 05-29-2006, 05:43 AM

Good luck 1stindoor, give a shout when you can so we know your safe in the gym.

As a vetran who never got shot at (I did all of desert shield in Germany) let me say thank you for putting yourself in harms way so others can enjoy freedom.

Hibiscus09 · 05-29-2006, 05:53 AM

My prayers are with you, 1stindoor.

I feel a deep sense of gratitude to everyone who has served and is currently serving in the armed forces.

dbx · 05-29-2006, 07:39 AM

I missed Nam by a few years and I never joined later, but knew a few friends who's older brothers didn't come back. As you know, that stuff sticks with you for life. It gets you to try your best to put yourself in their shoes and realize what they've done for their country. It's a humbling series of thoughts that go through my head when I do that.

Sadly, on Memorial Day it seems like a lot of Americans simply cook out and party, taking for granted the sacrifice our men and women have made, and only see it as a holiday that they don't have to work on. Sure, I cook out and mingle with family & friends, but I always make a point to stop and reflect. I also watch old war flicks every Memorial Day. Last night I watched a good bit of Band of Brothers (a favorite of mine). Movies like this bring the reality of sacrifice as close to a guy like me as possible I guess. I know there are other guys like me who don't only watch old war movies for the sake of it, but rather, to better appreciate your sacrifice and mourn those who have fallen.

1stindoor, stay safe, best wishes, and thank you.

Minotaur · 05-29-2006, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbx

I missed Nam by a few years and I never joined later

Same here. But I can't imagine what it's like to lose someone you care about... either a buddy, or a family member. It must be one of the most awful things.

Good luck 1stin and all the other troops. Stay safe, and may it be over soon and everyone home safely.

dapper · 05-29-2006, 11:40 AM

1stindoor..I to served. I was in the US Navy. I was discharged after 8+ years because I was ran over by a truck on base in Mayport Fl, right before my ship was deployed to the Gulf. Brand new Ageis Class Criser USS Phillipine Sea CG-58. They got some hits while they were there. I would probably be retired today if is wasn't for the accident. The one thing that came out of it that was good was that my wife left and I got full custoday of my kids so the good Lord was watching over me and being ran over was a blessing. I don't miss it because I got to raise both of my kids. I do miss it because I loved it. I never thought much about it being a vet because to me it was my decision I was not drafted. I was just doiing my job. Afterwards though you do not know how thankful I am every day and not just Memorial day that good men and women like yourself have made that same decision on their own to serve and protect my family as well as your own and too many others to mention. I can sleep easy at night for what you and your brothers and sisters are doing. I can not thank you and all people serving in our military services for the sacrifices that each and every one of you make. I SALUTE every one of you, and I THANK YOU WITH ALL MY HEART!!! GOD SPEED!!!!!!!!! You make me proud to be an AMERICAN!!!!!! GOd Bless America!!! Land of the Free, Home of the Brave!!!!

ChocoChick · 05-30-2006, 05:55 AM

Thanks for all you do, 1st. And thanks to all who are serving with you, before you and after you. You're in my prayers.

1stindoor · 05-30-2006, 08:09 AM

Hey Ya'll,
Just wanted to let everyone know we all came back safe and sound (although not from lack of trying by the ACM (anti coalition military...Taliban)). We encountered an ambush that was not well emplaced tactically...and we made them pay for their error. I think my former team mates that died during the past 4 months would have appreciated the irony of it on Memorial Day.

Thanks for all the continued prayers and support.

jacktheblack · 05-30-2006, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stindoor

Hey Ya'll,
Just wanted to let everyone know we all came back safe and sound (although not from lack of trying by the ACM (anti coalition military...Taliban)). We encountered an ambush that was not well emplaced tactically...and we made them pay for their error. I think my former team mates that died during the past 4 months would have appreciated the irony of it on Memorial Day.

Thanks for all the continued prayers and support.

Good job !st. Remember if you guys need anything over there give a shout out. People here will be tripping over each other to send you whatever you need. (IMHO

)

phikappa · 05-30-2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stindoor

Hey Ya'll,
Just wanted to let everyone know we all came back safe and sound (although not from lack of trying by the ACM (anti coalition military...Taliban)). We encountered an ambush that was not well emplaced tactically...and we made them pay for their error. I think my former team mates that died during the past 4 months would have appreciated the irony of it on Memorial Day.

Thanks for all the continued prayers and support.

I'm glad to hear that everything went well for you. Keep it up!

Every Memorial Day I always think of, and try to get to, this place. It's one of my favorite places here in San Diego. Fort Rosecrans.

*salutes*

Baldsnake · 05-30-2006, 03:57 PM

For you and your buddies I will come out of the dark and give you a cyber fatherly hug.

I was at Venice Muscle Beach yesterday and saw a great patriotic event and crowd. All kinds of peeps and all stood, sang and clapped with American pride. A dozen young Americans were sworn into the Army on the bodybuilding stage followed by our Anthem and a F 15 flyover. BB.Com was there handing out T shirts and Bob C. was handing out towels. Great day and great bodybuilding event as always. All made possible due to the sacrifices you men make and have made in our behalf.

Bill Mortimer
Mr. Muscle Beach 1986

1stindoor · 05-30-2006, 07:20 PM

As a steely-eyed, barrel-chested, freedom-fighter, with the kung fu grip, and life like hair...I am always receptive to a fatherly hug. Appreciate the sentiments Baldsnake.

GREENFEATHER · 05-31-2006, 02:38 PM

I spent the day with the colonel, one of, if not the last WW1 vet alive today. If he makes it to October 13, he'll be 108 years old and I think he could take us Kieth. One of the greatest people I've ever met. We always remember those that fell along side of us. I have a list of 32 names in my short 5 years in the ARMY and 32 months in the USCG. I know I'll never forget any of them as long as I have the use of my mind.

Godspeed and Good medicine to those that kept us safe then and those that keep us all safe now!!!

joed · 06-03-2006, 09:11 AM

I know memorial day is over but when I woke up this AM it dawned on me that some of you may not know about this site:

http://www.virtualwall.org/

The focus is on the 'Nam vets memorial wall, and if you know someone who died in that war you can leave a written memorial at this site.