Memorial Day 2009
[Guest post by DRJ]
Memorial Day is the day to remember those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our great nation. I am grateful to them and their families. To honor them, I’d like to point out a post entitled “The Names in the Stone” by Gerard Van der Leun, whose family knows the cost of war.
And while Veteran’s Day is 6 months away, the Austin American-Statesman adds this article and video showing the warm send-off given to Fort Hood and Fort Bliss troops as they fly to the Middle East.
— DRJ
Thanks DRJ. I am thinking today of my great uncle, killed in Plosti, Romania in 1943. My mother, born after he died, was named for him.
JVW (fdc303) — 5/25/2009 @ 11:33 amI’ve moderated a comment by hip that is inappropriate in this comment thread. Politics doesn’t belong here, hip. In addition, Patterico didn’t write this post.
DRJ (2901e6) — 5/25/2009 @ 11:46 am#2, perhaps you could show some respect by not using memorial day as an excuse to demonstrate your immorality.
Ropelight (e36d4f) — 5/25/2009 @ 11:47 amDRJ, you got to him before I could. Please moderate my comment as well if you think it appropriate. Thanks,
Ropelight (e36d4f) — 5/25/2009 @ 11:49 amTheir shoulders held the sky suspended;
They stood, and earth’s foundations stay;
What God abandoned, these defended,
[that’s enough]
nk (e71733) — 5/25/2009 @ 11:51 amJVW – There are so many stories of American sacrifice that we rarely or never hear. I’d like it if you want to share your great uncle’s story here.
Ropelight – I want to leave your comments if it’s okay with you.
DRJ (2901e6) — 5/25/2009 @ 12:06 pmDRJ, as you wish, so shall it be.
Ropelight (e36d4f) — 5/25/2009 @ 1:21 pmMemorial Day and Veterans Day are holidays that I go out of my way to teach my kids about.
JD (8e9826) — 5/25/2009 @ 1:25 pmThanks for a great post with great links, DRJ.
Thanks. I linked the story to dozens of friends today. My thanks to all those how have served and sacrificed to preserve liberty her in the United States of America and throughout the world.
Brett (aee798) — 5/25/2009 @ 1:43 pmThanks DRJ – very moving link. On this day I especially think of Carmen’s husband – KIA in VN, SSgt King- lost in Khobar Towers six months before his expected retirement, James, Yvonne, and a few others who gave all. God Bless them each of them and their families.
voiceofreason2 (bac20b) — 5/25/2009 @ 5:12 pmI’m very sorry, VOR2. God bless them and thank you for sharing that.
DRJ (2901e6) — 5/25/2009 @ 5:18 pmI wish I new more about my great uncle. He was Army Airborne, and was killed in action in an assault on Polesti where the Nazis had some oil fields. One of these days I intend to visit my grandmother’s hometown to see his grave site and do some research on the family.
One of my grandmother’s other brothers also fought in World War II. He was one of the rare men who ended up serving in both the 82nd (“the All-Americans”) and the 101st (“the Screaming Eagles”) Airborne Divisions. After he came home, he never spoke of the war except to fellow veterans.
JVW (fdc303) — 5/25/2009 @ 7:32 pmWe live in a very dense neighborhood in Chicago, but I’m fortunate that I can fly a flag right over Michigan Avenue, only one story over the sidewalk. I remembered to fly it today, and was thinking of my uncle who served in the Allied occupying force in post-war Germany. His funeral was the first one I saw with the 21-gun salute and the flag-folding. Very moving.
The other thoughts I usually have on this day are of the cemeteries in Normandy. I have been there several times to pay my respects. It’s a bit early, but listening to or reading Reagan’s remarks on the D-Day anniversay at Pointe Du Hoc are always moving. When I stand on that beach and look up at what were reinforced German positions, I can’t even imagine the type of man that charged up that beach. I am definitely not worthy.
carlitos (a0089e) — 5/25/2009 @ 7:50 pm