A Holiday Thank You

[GeorgeGuns]

I'd like to say thank you, even though they are beyond hearing, to all the people that have died in service of this country. From the civil war to Iraq, these fine people have had the faith and conviction to go to the front lines and sacrifice the most profound gift, life, so that others may continue to live in a manner deemed appropriate on this continent. Our government isn't always right in its reasons, yet those that have sworn to serve have a higher purpose I believe, and met it with everything they have, and more.

Thank you to the families that have endured losses to large to ignore.

I would also like to include those that died on 9/11, civilians, fire fighters, and first responders, because they too were serving in some capacity to keep this country rolling.

I'm not usually that patriotic, and I am more than a little ticked off at how certain officials have presented this country lately, but somehow that makes me even more grateful to the folks that have lost the most precious posession, for all of us.

[Red Ryder]

Many precious young men and women, "Gave All" so that we have the freedom to Think as we want, say as we want, and yes even bash as we want.

We all owe them a "salute" for allowing us the freedom to be "us".

Thanks to **ALL that served our Country **and gave us so much freedom.

[Abejita]

Here is a pic of my Great Grandmother surrounded by 4 of her 9 children. These 4 were all in service during WWII. The man on the far left as you view the pic was my great uncle William Weaver.He served for five years.After the War he joined the National Guard and rose to the rank of Captain.When the Korean war began he decided to return to active service.There were no openings for Reserve Captains so he volunteered for service in the ranks as a corporal.He was killed less than two weeks after he arrived in Korea.He was 33. Next to him are;George who was in the Coast Guard,then Grandma, then Agnes who was a nurse, and far right is Fred who was I believe in the Army Air Corps.I I only ever got to know Grandma, Agnes (who is still alive and kicking) and George.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/Bruja1/WeaverSoldiers.jpg

Saturday, My Great Aunt Dot,who is 94, Mom, my cousin Jimmy,his wife and their 3 kids,my sister and I spent the morning doing flowers on the graves of our relatives in our church cemetery.Usually we are pretty much alone doing this but there seemed to be more people in the cemetery this year (actually I just started helping 2 years ago and this year was the first for my sister and my cousin.)It is a small way of remembering those who have passed.We all bring flowers from our gardens and make up seperate boquets for each grave.Aunt Dot usually has a story or two to tell about each of them too.A way to keep history alive.

[Jasfino]

Thanks for sharing that pic Abejita. Its folks like this that make our country great.

I learned from my dad that two of his uncles were serving in the Navy and were on the boats that were attacked at Pearl Harbor. They were never the same after that. One suffered from post tramautic stress disorder. As he got older, he travelled around the country.. and was hard to keep track of. My dad thinks he is dead now. Last he heard from him, he was living in California. He was so badly affected by that disorder that it practically destroyed his life and his ability to function normally.

Sometimes its easy for us to for granted the liberties that we enjoy. Its because of these couragous people that we have any liberty at all. They deserve our deepest thanks and gratitude for giving their lives so that we can live here in this country..... free...

[Jane Hurl]

Ummmm...what holiday are you celebrating down there? Your Remembrance Day (though you don't call it that and I can't remember what you call it) isn't 'til November. You have two "remember the fallen" type holidays?

[Red Ryder]

This is "Memorial Day" you remember al dead ancestors, just that I always put our Military personnel first.

[Abejita]

Yup Memorial Day was originally Decoration day and began after the civil War but is more of a remember all dead ancestors. Remembrance Day (yes we do call it that..at least here near Gettysburg.And I think thats what is on the calander?) is around Nov 19th and seems to only really be centered around the Civil War and the Gettysburg Address. (I may be off there also)