Memorial Day

[MI-Lineman]

Just want to thank ALL the men and women who DID SERVE so some could file 4F and get out of servin!:rolleyes: ONLY TO DEGRADE EVERYTHING YA EVER FOUGHT FOR BY SLAMIN THE CONFLICT IN KOREA BY IMPLYIN "IT'S NOT IMPORTANT!":mad: YOU GAVE IT YOUR ALL WHICH WAS MORE THAN SOME!!!

People like you ALL and my Father fought so we may not have to!!!

TRUE AMERICAN HEROES!!!!! FOREVER IN YOUR DEBT!!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!:)

[never_forget_our_brothers]

Yep something we can agree on swampy. Thanks to ALL YOU vets out there no matter who you are and if we like each other or not. Serving our country should be one of the proudest things ever other than getting married, having children, and your family.

I have a city named after one Uncle who helped the Americans cross the Kerr Lake on his ferry while his Father gave the troops food. That doesnt count the ones that served as well under Captain McCree, and General Marion. Then I had a Grandfather killed at Missionary Ridge in Tennessee during the Civil War leaving behind 2 little girls. Had Uncles serve and fought in the biggest Civil War battles ever known to man with a cousin actually serving under General Nathan Bedford Forrest then had a Great Grandfather with the 18th Field Artillery during WWI and his brother in law that was in the 58th Infantry who was KIA in France.

Also had my Grandfather and his brother that served in Germany and France in the Army, then my Grandfather was in the Guadalcanal in the Navy. My Great Uncle served 4 tours in Nam under "The Big Red One" as a medic and was an Army lifer. My Uncle was a MP in the Army during WWII and my Father was also a MP in the Army during NAM. God bless them all and anyone else who has served as well for ANY and ALL families. Our heroes deserve that much.

[electriklady]

They are dead; but they live in each Patriot's breast,
And their names are engraven on honor's bright crest.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


In remembrance........................to all those who gave the ultimate gift for their country.........their life. We miss you, we love you, we thank you, and we honor you.

Your sacrifice will not be forgotten by man nor God.

[wtdoor67]

We had about 3 or so in the little community I grew up in. All received compensation for wounds etc. I hardly ever heard them mention it. One was badly wounded in Germany. He was in shock and could not yell for help or hardly move. Fellow troops kept moving by but he couldn't contact them. He finally managed to get his cigarette lighter out and began tapping on the butt of his M1. They heard him and saved him. He was bad to drink after the war and was killed in a car wreck. Good guy, very quiet.

Another was badly wounded by an 88 shell. Had a big scar around his middle and a portion of his stomach removed. Sober, the greatest guy around. He to drank excessively and was later shot and killed by another drunk. He did tell me one time that they had a big guy in basic who could whip everyone's ass in the co. He said when they came ashore at Omaha beach that the tough guy broke down and cried like a baby.

Another was badly wounded on Okinawa by Jap artillery. He was a family man, raised several children and lived into his 80's. Fun guy to talk with. He didn't mention the war.

Another only mentioned to me that his throat swelled so bad on Iwo Jima that he couldn't swallow from lack of water. None of these guys hardly ever mentioned the fighting. Too horrid I expect. The ground troops suffered the most I think. Some sailors in the Pacific had some bad stuff also.

One guy at home though was a card. You'd have to know the family to appreciate it. He came home on leave during the latter part of the Pacific campaign. He needed some money to party on. He just went out, caught 2 or 3 of his Dad's cows, hauled them to the sale and sold them. This was when they thought the invasion of the Japanese homeland was imminent. His old man hit the ceiling over the cows. He said. "That sonofa *****, I hope they send his ass to Jay Pan. Pretty funny if you knew them.

[electriklady]

This is something I started doing a couple of months ago............It is so great to get the emails from the soldiers.....thanking you for your support and the "cup of joe"

Tomorrow I pay my respects to the men who gave their lives for this country in the past.....every month I try to show my respect and support for the men and women that are in "harms way" in the here and now, supporting the cause of freedom, by sending them an email, and a cup of "joe."


http://www.greenbeanscoffee.com/coj/ :)

[loner]

obama goes to cemetery in chicago,biden visits arlington.

[lineman641]

Today we again celebrate Memorial Day.
For many citizens, it is the beginning of summer and another long three-day weekend.
The true designation of the holiday is to remember all the men and women who have given their lives in defense of the freedom we enjoy today.
At a dedication ceremony for a Pennsylvania battlefield in November 1863, our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, nobly stated that “from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.”
What do these honored dead say to us this Memorial Day?
During the waning years of World War II, the battle for Iwo Jima in the South Pacific lasted 36 days and cost the lives of 6,825 Marine and Navy personnel. It was a terrible conflagration, where our military hardly ever saw the enemy, who fought from caves and tunnels.
At a cemetery on Iwo Jima, some unknown author carved into the wall a brief message, which perhaps could symbolize the veterans’ words from the Revolutionary War through the current Iraq War.
That message:
When you go home,
Tell them for us and say
For your tomorrow
We gave our today.
La ringrazio e resto in pace coraggioso anime.
Thank you and rest in peace brave souls.

[heelwinch]

We had about 3 or so in the little community I grew up in. All received compensation for wounds etc. I hardly ever heard them mention it. One was badly wounded in Germany. He was in shock and could not yell for help or hardly move. Fellow troops kept moving by but he couldn't contact them. He finally managed to get his cigarette lighter out and began tapping on the butt of his M1. They heard him and saved him. He was bad to drink after the war and was killed in a car wreck. Good guy, very quiet.

Another was badly wounded by an 88 shell. Had a big scar around his middle and a portion of his stomach removed. Sober, the greatest guy around. He to drank excessively and was later shot and killed by another drunk. He did tell me one time that they had a big guy in basic who could whip everyone's ass in the co. He said when they came ashore at Omaha beach that the tough guy broke down and cried like a baby.

Another was badly wounded on Okinawa by Jap artillery. He was a family man, raised several children and lived into his 80's. Fun guy to talk with. He didn't mention the war.

Another only mentioned to me that his throat swelled so bad on Iwo Jima that he couldn't swallow from lack of water. None of these guys hardly ever mentioned the fighting. Too horrid I expect. The ground troops suffered the most I think. Some sailors in the Pacific had some bad stuff also.

One guy at home though was a card. You'd have to know the family to appreciate it. He came home on leave during the latter part of the Pacific campaign. He needed some money to party on. He just went out, caught 2 or 3 of his Dad's cows, hauled them to the sale and sold them. This was when they thought the invasion of the Japanese homeland was imminent. His old man hit the ceiling over the cows. He said. "That sonofa *****, I hope they send his ass to Jay Pan. Pretty funny if you knew them.

What Branch did you serve in?

[never_forget_our_brothers]

Wished we had more kids that would get interested in Memorial Day. Its just a day off of school for most.

I've had atleast 9 fight in the Revolutionary War, 1 in the War of 1812, 44 in the Civil War (atleast 8 died, a few at Pt. Lookout and Elmira, some lost limbs and some died shortly there after), 7 in World War I (one got a Purple Heart for being KIA), 24 in World War II (2 more Purple Hearts for KIA and MIA, another Purple Heart that actually survived), 2 in Korea, 3 in Vietnam, and not sure how many on Desert Storm, and about 2-3 or more on Operation Iraq.

[wtdoor67]

What Branch did you serve in?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

USN, Gunners Mate, turret 1 and mt 56. USS LOS ANGELES CA 135

[heelwinch]

What Branch did you serve in?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

USN, Gunners Mate, turret 1 and mt 56. USS LOS ANGELES CA 135

US Army 1st Battle Group, 28th Infantry, Kansas. Korean war, stationed in Germany. Two years.

[barehander]

I found this today ..........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJfeD-I39CQ&feature=player_embedded

[T-Man]

http://www.amazon.com/Flyboys-Story-Courage-James-Bradley/dp/0316105848

[never_forget_our_brothers]

Speaking of autographs I wrote Hal Moore after reading his book, etc. and in return he sent me an autographed picture of Lt. General Moore and Sgt. Major Basil Plumley the two main characters in the movie "We Were Soldiers". He was a very nice guy.

[electriklady]

Got two replies today from soldiers......one in Iraq and one in Kuwait.....for buying them a "cup of joe"......thought I'd share them with you
Cup of Joe #1

Your message and gift of a CUP OF JOE was delivered to a Soldier serving at Iraq - Union III in . They wanted to say thanks and make sure you knew your gift was received. Please see below for their note to you:

XXXXXXX, Thanks a great deal, something as simple as a GOOD cup of coffee goes a long way here in Baghadad. I would like to thank you and all just like you for doing such a wonderful thing. My name is SFC Mundine from Houston Tx., if ever you are close by after Aug please look me up and I hope that just maybe one day we can share a cup or two. XXXXXXXXX@yahoo.com

Cup of Joe #2

Your message and gift of a CUP OF JOE was delivered to a Soldier serving at Kuwait - LSA Customs in . They wanted to say thanks and make sure you knew your gift was received. Please see below for their note to you:

Thanks XXXXXXX for the cup of coffee and you support and encouragement. Have a wonderful day.

[wtdoor67]

I don't know if he's still alive, but I met Urban Ben Drew once at a gun show. He was a WW 2 P 51 ace. One of the first ones to shoot down an Me 262. Just as affable a man as you'd hope to meet. Very interesting life.

Said he came over a German airfield and shot down two Me 262's. Was only able to get credit for one as the gun camera only recorded one. Some time after the war they located a German ground crewman who verified that he got 2. Brought him back to the white house as a civilian and pinned a DFC or some medal on him. Neat guy. His P 51 was called "The Detroit Miss".

He had an air service for quite a while in Africa. Flew hunters around and so on. Said he had taken quite a few African species himself. Personal friend of Nelson Mandela.

Said he got out of WW 2 as a Major. When Korea started up he went down and offered his services to the Air Force. They said. You'll have to start over as a 2nd Lieut. He said. Up yours. Fight your own war and went to Africa. I think he resides in Calif. if he's still kicking.

[barehander]

I never met Joe Foss, but I did make an Air Show in CA, where I had Greg (Pappy) Boyington sign my dog eared copy of his book. I also bought his hard cover. He asked me why I wanted the old one signed, and I said this is the one I read 4 times.
Below is what happens to heroes by none english speaking airport trash. Maybe you remember this.

Decorated WWII veteran detained, searched at airport

Editor's Note: CNN Access is a regular feature on CNN.com providing interviews with newsmakers from around the world.
PHOENIX, Arizona (CNN) --Retired Gen. Joe Foss, 86, one of the most highly decorated U.S. war veterans, recently was detained at a security checkpoint at the Phoenix, Arizona, airport because he was carrying an item with sharp edges.
The sharp object turned out to be the Congressional Medal of Honor, which he had received in 1943 from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. CNN's Jack Cafferty spoke Tuesday with Foss about his airport experience and career.
CAFFERTY: General, Franklin Roosevelt, the president of the United States, awarded you the Congressional Medal of Honor, and your picture was on the cover of Life magazine on June 7, 1943. For what did you receive the medal and what can you tell us about the day you were given the medal by the president?
FOSS: Well, actually, I was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for action over Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. ... See, I was the top ace during that time.
CAFFERTY: You shot down 26 enemy aircraft, is that right, general?
FOSS: That is correct.
CAFFERTY: That is amazing.
FOSS: We were the decoys over the enemy fleet a number of times flying over them at 12,000 feet and having everyone shoot at you. They try to get you, and then you dive -- take a vertical dive on the warship -- in the middle of the thing -- to draw fire so the torpedo planes could get in.
CAFFERTY: Unbelievable.
FOSS: I was on my way -- after a National Rifle Association board of directors meeting -- to go up to West Point and speak to the sophomore class there.
CAFFERTY: And you were going to take the medal and show the cadets up at West Point. You got to the airport, what happened?
FOSS: Well, you see, when I got to the airport, I planned on just going through as I normally have in the past. But they had this mass of checkers back there that seemed to hone in on me.
I had on a Western hat, which I normally wear, and this tie, which is known as a bolo tie, and a belt buckle that says, "Dakota Gun Collectors," on it and Western boots.
CAFFERTY: They eventually wound up taking the Congressional Medal of Honor away from you, didn't they, at the airport?
FOSS: Well, the whole deal was the medal and this little thing that was with it, which has a little fingernail file on it, and it has the Congressional Medal Society insignia on this thing -- I've carried it for years -- and that set off the thing when I threw my jacket in there.
They said, "Take everything out of your jacket," and I thought I had. I'm just not used to carrying a medal in my pocket here. So I threw the whole thing in a basket, and when that set that off, they said, "We thought you emptied the jacket."
And now it came back. And that started the fracas, and they said, "Off with your boots. Off with your belt. Off with your tie. Off with your hat."
CAFFERTY: Were they nice to you at this time? I mean, were they polite?
FOSS: No, they were very nasty. It was a nasty group of individuals that I couldn't seem to make understand. And I was trying to show them this medal, that it had all the inscription on the back there. About me receiving it from the president of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and so forth.
But no one seemed to know what was going on. And then I said, "What happens to the stuff you take from me?" And they said, "Oh, it's destroyed." And I said, "Well, you aren't taking that medal, that's for sure. Or this other thing." And so then the next number on the program, I had some keys and stuff that I -- and an imitation bullet thing -- it never was a bullet -- but it looked like a bullet that President Charlton Heston of the NRA gave me. And they took that.
I said, "What happens to all of that?"
"It's destroyed."
So then I said, "Can I keep any of it?"
And they said, "No, unless you go over there, write that desk right there and mail it back to yourself."
"Well OK." What happens, I step over there, and they say, "Off with your boots. Off with your belt. Off with your hat."
I said, "You just checked me."
And, of course, then in the meantime, my jacket gets lost in the back, and we horse around. And all of this operation took about 45 minutes or so.
Finally, I get out of here, and I get to the gate. And as the passengers pile on, I had a first-class pass to get on -- not pass, we paid for the ticket -- and they take me out of line, and the lady says, "Off with your boots. Off with your belt. Off with your tie."
CAFFERTY: This is the third time?
FOSS: That's the third time. And by that time, I was fairly warm.
CAFFERTY: I bet you were at that, general.
FOSS: And, of course, the questions that they asked and all -- it was so nonsensical, the whole thing. There's no way you could catch a terrorist. In fact, you'd be -- while you were looking at some clown like me, the terrorist would go by.
CAFFERTY: Now you talked to the officials at America West, the airline that was involved in this.
FOSS: They've been very nice.
CAFFERTY: There's been a visit arranged. Tell us about the visit that's upcoming here.
FOSS: Well the airline, America West, has been very nice. The vice president called me, and I personally talked to him. And the public relations director talked to me. And I'm going to have them out to the house to meet my wife and the rest of the tribe and let them know that we are not terrorists. We're just ordinary citizens trying to get on an airline to go someplace and back home.
CAFFERTY: General, let me thank you so much for a very entertaining and interesting, if unfortunate, story.
Let me also thank you for what you and your buddies did all those many years ago. Because I've got a hunch, without the likes of you back there during World War II, the likes of me wouldn't be sitting here right now talking to the likes of you.

Nice story Steve.....

[never_forget_our_brothers]

My Great Uncle served with "The Big Red One" and served 4 tours in Nam himself. He STILL has nightmares to this day. The Army hasnt done **** for him either. Luckily he still lives near Ft. Jackson in Gilbert South Carolina and there are some vets there that meet weekly just to sit and talk about everything as they all know what they went through.

His Brother and my Grandfather also survived a radio controlled German bomb attack on the USS Savannah during WWII. It went through 2 decks before going off killing about 55 or so. Luckily he wasnt one of them, served in the South Pacific and lived in a tent in Guadalcanal for months only after going back to Virginia to get the destroyer fixed. They later ran blockade for the aircraft carrier FDR was on when he was on his way to the Malta Conference. I'm talking about a man that went in at 16 and seen all of this before 19.

[Meat]

My Great Uncle served with "The Big Red One" and served 4 tours in Nam himself. He STILL has nightmares to this day. The Army hasnt done **** for him either. Luckily he still lives near Ft. Jackson in Gilbert South Carolina and there are some vets there that meet weekly just to sit and talk about everything as they all know what they went through.

His Brother and my Grandfather also survived a radio controlled German bomb attack on the USS Savannah during WWII. It went through 2 decks before going off killing about 55 or so. Luckily he wasnt one of them, served in the South Pacific and lived in a tent in Guadalcanal for months only after going back to Virginia to get the destroyer fixed. They later ran blockade for the aircraft carrier FDR was on when he was on his way to the Malta Conference. I'm talking about a man that went in at 16 and seen all of this before 19. Hell thats nothing. My 2nd cousin's neighbor once heard about a guy that .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................... all before 6am.

[Stinger]

Stevie Batts- your a good man my friend. You never forget. There are a lot of vietnam vets on this net. There are some korean, and gulf war vets here on this net. When you take the togtherness of a band of brothers-in-arms- and the brotherhood of linemen vets we are a pretty strong force that can disagree and get **** right gly with one another over some issues here and yet still repect each other for their views and opinions. That is why we served, some of us lived to what we are today, some are gone but forever ecthed in our memories- god bless all my fellow veterns on this net.