Memorial Day Weekend
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: NC
The soldier, above all other men, is required to practice the greatest act of religious training sacrifice.
In battle and in the face of danger and death, he discloses those divine attributes which his Maker gave when he created man in his own image. No physical courage and no brute instinct can take the place of the Divine help which alone can sustain him.
However horrible the incidents of war may be, the soldier who is called upon to offer and to give his life for his country is the noblest development of mankind.
...
This does not mean that you are war mongers.
On the contrary, the soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.
But always in our ears ring the ominous words of Plato, that wisest of all philosophers: "Only the dead have seen the end of war."
GEN Douglas MacArthur: Thayer Award Address
Delivered 12 May 1962, West Point, NY
In battle and in the face of danger and death, he discloses those divine attributes which his Maker gave when he created man in his own image. No physical courage and no brute instinct can take the place of the Divine help which alone can sustain him.
However horrible the incidents of war may be, the soldier who is called upon to offer and to give his life for his country is the noblest development of mankind.
...
This does not mean that you are war mongers.
On the contrary, the soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.
But always in our ears ring the ominous words of Plato, that wisest of all philosophers: "Only the dead have seen the end of war."
GEN Douglas MacArthur: Thayer Award Address
Delivered 12 May 1962, West Point, NY
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,091
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From: Suffolk, VA USA
From those of us who have served, or in my case continue to serve, we're happy to do it.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 177
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From: Decatur AL
X2 on that. Your service / sacrifice allows me my freedom and security. Mere words cannot say what that means to me. Thank you is all I can say and that is not near enough. Great post, and I am PROUD to live in the United States of America were I can say this openly. It does not go unforgotten and it is never said enough.
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Resident smarta$$
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Oaks,PA
Every serviceman/woman I see i shake their hand and thank them. Surprised a female Marine where my wife and I had dinner last night. I wondered by her reaction if anyone had ever done so before.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2008
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With all of the hostile political discourse in Washington, the corrupt happenings in the banking, medical, insurance, and pharmacuetical industries to name a few there have been times that I haven't been proud to be an American or to have served our nation. That was especially true of the reception we Viet Nam vets got when we got back home. But with much education, dedication, work, and compromising we can fix all that is wrong with this great country. Nobody has contributed more for this nation than the WWII vets. I say this with a somewhat heavy but grateful heart as my father was one of the greatest generation members who helped win WWII. This is an especially special holiday for me and my family as we laid him to rest one year ago. Memorial Day weekend now has more meaning than ever. If you can read this you can thank a teacher. If you are able to read this in English you can thank a veteran.
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Resident smarta$$
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Ontario, OH
I feel the greatest gratitude to be able to be one of the few who was chosen to make the journey back to Normandy France to be a part of a reenactment to commemorate those brave men and women who sacrificed so much on D-day. A mere 68 years ago this year. My generation is far from the generation of the time, but let you be sure that we have not forgotten and hold that day so deeply in our hearts. the people of this region who we liberated so long ago couldn't love us any more than they do... seeing it first hand is one of the most amazing things i have ever seen. They truly are the most grateful people i have ever met. Just remember, we don't enjoy going to war, we do it for people who want to be free just like you and I, and what could be a better cause than that.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 790
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From: Ontario, OH
As a current service member myself, i don't believe it's the fact that it may be the first time someone has thanked them, but the fact that we treat it as an every day job and expect nothing in return. Having said that, it is the biggest honor of all to have someone thank us for what we all do. the only thing greater than that is the honor to know that there are people like you who are thankful for what we do, no matter what branch of service or what job we do... and for that i thank you.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Decatur AL
Greg B I just wanted you to know that my father served in Viet Nam. He was drafted as a Marine. He never spoke about it much if any at all. He really only said that he had to do some awful things that he never would have thought that he would ever have to do and that no one should have to do. He did it to get back home to his wife and child ( me ). You , my father, and thousands of other served in this country in that war and I thank you. What you got when you got home was not what you deserved. My father was and is to this day the biggest hero I have ever known.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2008
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Yes, you do things that you don't want to do in war. My dad never talked much about it. I tried to get him to open up some, but those dark secrets he took to his grave. His sister said he was different when he returned home in 1946. Having been thru similar experience, I won't talk much about it either. You just want to forget it and resume normal life, or the new normal. I was changed also. I reckon that's one reason I get so riled up at those who glorify war and talk about it so cavalierly. And I reckon now Memorial Day will always be a special day for me.
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Resident smarta$$
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From: Oaks,PA
Thank you gentlemen. Although I have never served, my grandfather that I never met, did. My father could not as he became head of household, but recently found out he was Army reserve. My father and I aren't really that close. My wifes step-dad and uncles are Vietnam vets. I do wear a black bracelet every day in memorium of Maj. Jeffrey Calero, USSF, KIA Oct 29, 2007. I did not know him personally but he was a good friend of one of my very good friends. I have met a few of his team, but never had the honor of meeting Jeff. In honor of the fallen... Thank you.
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From: Maine, Virginia
Thanks to all who posted here.
Fortunately for today's VETs, the majority of the nation has a more sensitive point of view on the vital role that our defenders play.
Our military is an all volunteer force of men and women from all walks of America.
That's a pretty big can of whoopa$$ in my book.
Now I'm going to move this to GNAC before I get in trouble. LOL.
Fortunately for today's VETs, the majority of the nation has a more sensitive point of view on the vital role that our defenders play.
Our military is an all volunteer force of men and women from all walks of America.
That's a pretty big can of whoopa$$ in my book.
Now I'm going to move this to GNAC before I get in trouble. LOL.
Don't want you to get in trouble