During WWII my father served on an armed troopship in the Pacific. On my mother’s side, one uncle was in the Army Air Corps and another was in the Navy. They all came back. All gone now.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morning,We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;They sit no more at familiar tables of home;They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;They sleep beyond the ocean’s foam.
My father’s elder brother was at D-Day… He made it back… My father’s brother-in-law was with Patton… He also made it back. My father was in Korea… Made it back… Now all are gone… Eternal memory for all!
I grew up living on Air Force Bases and most of my childhood friends were military brats like me. Like most people of my age, most of my uncles were WW II vets and the name of my father’s younger brother is inscribed upon the Vietnam War Memorial. This family history has predisposed me to a lifetime of appreciation of Memorial Day, because I have always understood the price that our soldiers, sailors and airmen, and their families, have paid so that we could live free in the best country in the world.
In light of what our military has been called upon to do these past few years, and knowing that their job is far from finished, I wanted to write something “eloquent” for this Memorial Day. But, in searching my heart for what I wanted to say about those “regular” Americans who have given the last full measure of devotion in service to this nation and its principals, what kept coming up in my heart was simply “Thank You.”
However, just a plain “thank you” seemed insufficient and inadequate. After all, I say “thank you” a dozen times a day for the smallest acts of kindness or service. To give the same “thank you” to a man who has died for me that I would a waitress who brings me a glass of water seems sacrilegious.
As I continued to mull this over, the climactic scene from the movie Saving Private Ryan began to replay in my mind and I remembered Cpt. John Miller’s dying words to Private Ryan: “James… earn this. Earn it.” I realized that my “thank you” wasn’t just supposed to be an expression of personal gratitude, but the appreciation was to come with a commitment to live the American life fully while upholding the values and principles that they fought and died for.
So, on this Memorial Day, with heartfelt gratitude to the men and women who have given their lives for me/us, I once again commit myself to earning this American life.
When we think of the meaning of Memorial Day we tend to think in terms of WW2. It is good to see so many people pointing out the other conflicts since then. Not many WW2 veterans are alive today but there are vets of our running conflicts since then: Korea, Vietnam, the “assistance” in a handful of South American countries where Communism was taking root and mostly died out anyway because of systemic failure. We had Grenada, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and a number of African and Middle East countries we never heard about. I don’t mean to slight anybody by forgetting others.
I am certain we will always need Memorial Day. It would be nice if we could settle conflicts and quash rabid conquerors by some other means, but if the billions of people who have come and gone couldn’t do it I don’t hold out hope. Remember the losses with a day of peace anyway.
Father inLaw First Division North Africa , Italy, France ,battle of the Bulge and Then liberating concertation camps , with tears he told of having his hand kissed handing out food to the dying .Thank You AL rip
I am grateful to all my countrymen who have served and many who have given the ultimate sacrifice in all wars. We can never repay the debt owed. Who knows what could have been accomplished if none had been lost. What great discoveries have fallen along with these true heroes. What great medical cures or scientific discoveries have been lost on these fields of battle? Thank you for your service and your sacrifice for us and future generations.
I am just finishing my father’s letters and photos from World War II. He was in the Office of Strategic Service (OSS). He served as a cryptographer with Det. 101 (Merrill’s Marauders) in northern Burma and then in Bangkok before and after the end of the war. He sat in on the ‘peace talks’ and helped keep the British from taking Thailand over as a protective colony after the war. His brother drove a typewriter all over the South Pacific on Gen. McArthur’s staff.Both were normal Americans that could and did great things to keep people free.
Both my parents are in the Wall at the Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego. Miss you guys. When my dad passed, on the way to the cemetery we were escorted by the vet motorcycle group Rolling Thunder. Since we had to go on a freeway and were not going 80, there were cars cutting through our procession. The truckers on the freeway formed a line of trucks 5 lanes wide and would not allow any cars to cut through the funeral procession all the way to the turn off for the National Cemetery. I’ll never forget that, thanks guys.
My Dad served under Patton (Duckduckgo him – or watch the movie) and was wounded in France. He was hit with shrapnel and was in a hospital recovering for over a year. Luckily, he made it back home and I was born. Unfortunately, he developed cancer from his extensive wounds and died when I was 5. I went on to join the Army during the Vietnam Era.
I am sure that you are all having a great time wherever you are. Memorial Day was designed for us the living to keep your memories alive with the hope that we will not need to sacrifice any more of you to sustain the military industrial complex that is responsible for so many of your deaths…..
When visiting the American Military Cemetery in Normandy we saw too many markers with the following incription (The same one as on the Tomb of the Unknowns):Here rests in honored glory an American Soldier, Known but to God."These are men who gave everything – including their very identity
So tonight, I will raise a glass and make the following toast: Here’s to absent friends, and those we never knew.
Enjoy the holiday but take a few minutes to think about why it is a designated day.
What to think about on Memorial Day if you are not worried about getting shot as you go about your life? The following came from a recently retired MD and County Director of Health:
Over one million soldiers have died during service. Over 7,000 U.S. troops have died in America’s wars since 2001.
Unfortunately, there are many more poignant consequences of asking so much from our men and women in uniform. Veteran suicide is one of the greatest crises of our time. Since Sept. 11, 2001, over 30,000 veterans have died by suicide — four times more than the number of U.S. military personnel who died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
We can’t honor the true meaning of Memorial Day without acknowledging the deepest wounds of combat.
President Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter the words but to live by them.” We owe it to our struggling Veterans to do better by them.
JJ is talking about mine and yours brothers in arms. My war was Viet Nam for others it may have been Korea or WWII or more recently the Middle East. Too many to name but wars none-the-less. “All gave some, some gave all”. In remembrance of my friend Phil Fox. Flint Northern High School 1964. Rest in peace Phil and thank you for serving.
I had to print out a color picture of a Flanders Poppy and safety pin it to my shirt. I miss the the vets who would sell the cloth poppies on this weekend.Printed a copy of the poem and posted it at work.Have a hard time when people say “Happy Memorial Day!” It’s not happy, it’s in memoriam. I smile weakly and put my palms together in a peace/prayer gesture.
I look back on 40 years of service. God, I had so good from all those before me. I was in a few “HOT SPOTS” and The Desert, but nothing like Viet Nam, Korea, WW II. I was in over 15 foreign countries, sometimes just for training, some for working with the foreign homeland troops. I met and trained with Navy SEALS, Army Special Forces, fighter pilots (not to be one, but to know what to expect when they were on the targets.) Even had the opportunity to guard POTUS, FLOTUS, and VPPOTUS under the guidance of Secret Service. Sometimes the only fear I had was when the Aircraft I was on would either be breaking down or running low on fuel. Truth is I do feel guilty at times, I look back at what my Father, my Uncles, and my Father In Law and Brother In Law did in serving Our Country. Thank God for all those that serve and have served.
A good friend of mine father died and was buried on June 11, 2019… Before his passing he never talked much about his war experience…but as he was close to ‘going home’ he opened up… brought out his medals….and told the family that…
He had been a medic with the 101 and on June 6, 1944 parachuted in to Sainte-Mère-Église with the rest of his ’’Band of Brothers"… Being a medic he jumped in without a weapon…and along with the rest of the 101 they took and held Sainte-Mère-Église fighting back numerous counter attacks….
He came home with a Purple Heart … a Bronze Star… a P.O.W. Medal….and the Legion of Honour presented to him by the President of France…. and other awards… The display exposition of those award at his funeral was breath taking….
He fought from D-Day through the Battle of the Bulge …serving and saving lives …..
He was a True American Hero…..
God Rest His Soul…and All Those Who Served to Keep Us Safe….
I was at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery on Memorial Day. I went up a tall hill that overlooks the cemetery and runs along the MSP airport runway. I happen to take in the vastness of the place and see planes take off/land and little did I know the local news is down on the bottom of the hill with their reporter, and they happen to get a shot of me with my hand on the tree at the moment looking away but still taking in the site of the cemetery . Later that nite I saw that shot of myself and took a screen shot of it to show it on facebook and it was a real popular hit among my facebook friends. Funny how things happens in life.
Tyge over 2 years ago
♬Bless em All, Bless em All, the long and the short and the tall♬
♬Bless all the sergeants and W. O. ones,♬
♬Bless all the corp’rals and their blinkin sons,♬
♬’Cos we’re saying goodbye to them all♬
pschearer Premium Member over 2 years ago
During WWII my father served on an armed troopship in the Pacific. On my mother’s side, one uncle was in the Army Air Corps and another was in the Navy. They all came back. All gone now.
Yakety Sax over 2 years ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp5Nff5Zf-0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxVTDa03Xo4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arSiv9PRo04
dsTrekker Premium Member over 2 years ago
Always a moving moment from JJ on Memorial Day.
Olddog1 over 2 years ago
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morning,We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;They sit no more at familiar tables of home;They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;They sleep beyond the ocean’s foam.
Laurence Bynion “For the Fallen”
Darryl Heine over 2 years ago
Remember the fallen…
jarvisloop over 2 years ago
Say nothing more.
wetidlerjr over 2 years ago
Most of all, remember that Memorial Day is for those that fell in defense of our country while Veteran’s Day is for all who served our nation.
Gandalf over 2 years ago
My father’s elder brother was at D-Day… He made it back… My father’s brother-in-law was with Patton… He also made it back. My father was in Korea… Made it back… Now all are gone… Eternal memory for all!
John Smith over 2 years ago
Back in 2007 I wrote a Memorial Day commentary.
I grew up living on Air Force Bases and most of my childhood friends were military brats like me. Like most people of my age, most of my uncles were WW II vets and the name of my father’s younger brother is inscribed upon the Vietnam War Memorial. This family history has predisposed me to a lifetime of appreciation of Memorial Day, because I have always understood the price that our soldiers, sailors and airmen, and their families, have paid so that we could live free in the best country in the world.
In light of what our military has been called upon to do these past few years, and knowing that their job is far from finished, I wanted to write something “eloquent” for this Memorial Day. But, in searching my heart for what I wanted to say about those “regular” Americans who have given the last full measure of devotion in service to this nation and its principals, what kept coming up in my heart was simply “Thank You.”
However, just a plain “thank you” seemed insufficient and inadequate. After all, I say “thank you” a dozen times a day for the smallest acts of kindness or service. To give the same “thank you” to a man who has died for me that I would a waitress who brings me a glass of water seems sacrilegious.
As I continued to mull this over, the climactic scene from the movie Saving Private Ryan began to replay in my mind and I remembered Cpt. John Miller’s dying words to Private Ryan: “James… earn this. Earn it.” I realized that my “thank you” wasn’t just supposed to be an expression of personal gratitude, but the appreciation was to come with a commitment to live the American life fully while upholding the values and principles that they fought and died for.
So, on this Memorial Day, with heartfelt gratitude to the men and women who have given their lives for me/us, I once again commit myself to earning this American life.
flagmichael over 2 years ago
When we think of the meaning of Memorial Day we tend to think in terms of WW2. It is good to see so many people pointing out the other conflicts since then. Not many WW2 veterans are alive today but there are vets of our running conflicts since then: Korea, Vietnam, the “assistance” in a handful of South American countries where Communism was taking root and mostly died out anyway because of systemic failure. We had Grenada, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and a number of African and Middle East countries we never heard about. I don’t mean to slight anybody by forgetting others.
I am certain we will always need Memorial Day. It would be nice if we could settle conflicts and quash rabid conquerors by some other means, but if the billions of people who have come and gone couldn’t do it I don’t hold out hope. Remember the losses with a day of peace anyway.
timbob2313 Premium Member over 2 years ago
A great day to read “TOMMY” by Rudyard Kipling
mr , b over 2 years ago
Father inLaw First Division North Africa , Italy, France ,battle of the Bulge and Then liberating concertation camps , with tears he told of having his hand kissed handing out food to the dying .Thank You AL rip
SpacedInvader Premium Member over 2 years ago
I am grateful to all my countrymen who have served and many who have given the ultimate sacrifice in all wars. We can never repay the debt owed. Who knows what could have been accomplished if none had been lost. What great discoveries have fallen along with these true heroes. What great medical cures or scientific discoveries have been lost on these fields of battle? Thank you for your service and your sacrifice for us and future generations.
BuckarooDave over 2 years ago
Semper Fi
MuddyUSA Premium Member over 2 years ago
Right on, Arlo, right on!
dbrintonjr over 2 years ago
I am just finishing my father’s letters and photos from World War II. He was in the Office of Strategic Service (OSS). He served as a cryptographer with Det. 101 (Merrill’s Marauders) in northern Burma and then in Bangkok before and after the end of the war. He sat in on the ‘peace talks’ and helped keep the British from taking Thailand over as a protective colony after the war. His brother drove a typewriter all over the South Pacific on Gen. McArthur’s staff.Both were normal Americans that could and did great things to keep people free.
Bruce1253 over 2 years ago
Both my parents are in the Wall at the Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego. Miss you guys. When my dad passed, on the way to the cemetery we were escorted by the vet motorcycle group Rolling Thunder. Since we had to go on a freeway and were not going 80, there were cars cutting through our procession. The truckers on the freeway formed a line of trucks 5 lanes wide and would not allow any cars to cut through the funeral procession all the way to the turn off for the National Cemetery. I’ll never forget that, thanks guys.
klapre over 2 years ago
My Dad served under Patton (Duckduckgo him – or watch the movie) and was wounded in France. He was hit with shrapnel and was in a hospital recovering for over a year. Luckily, he made it back home and I was born. Unfortunately, he developed cancer from his extensive wounds and died when I was 5. I went on to join the Army during the Vietnam Era.
mourdac Premium Member over 2 years ago
We can never thank those who made it possible enough.
raybarb44 over 2 years ago
I am sure that you are all having a great time wherever you are. Memorial Day was designed for us the living to keep your memories alive with the hope that we will not need to sacrifice any more of you to sustain the military industrial complex that is responsible for so many of your deaths…..
Cincoflex over 2 years ago
Son and I will be setting out in a few hours to put flowers on graves on this side of the country while my folks are resting in Arlington.
All Dan All Day Premium Member over 2 years ago
The Highest and Purest Democracy, Iwo Jima 1945
tauyen over 2 years ago
When visiting the American Military Cemetery in Normandy we saw too many markers with the following incription (The same one as on the Tomb of the Unknowns):Here rests in honored glory an American Soldier, Known but to God."These are men who gave everything – including their very identity
So tonight, I will raise a glass and make the following toast: Here’s to absent friends, and those we never knew.
admiree2 over 2 years ago
Enjoy the holiday but take a few minutes to think about why it is a designated day.
What to think about on Memorial Day if you are not worried about getting shot as you go about your life? The following came from a recently retired MD and County Director of Health:
Over one million soldiers have died during service. Over 7,000 U.S. troops have died in America’s wars since 2001.
Unfortunately, there are many more poignant consequences of asking so much from our men and women in uniform. Veteran suicide is one of the greatest crises of our time. Since Sept. 11, 2001, over 30,000 veterans have died by suicide — four times more than the number of U.S. military personnel who died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.
We can’t honor the true meaning of Memorial Day without acknowledging the deepest wounds of combat.
President Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter the words but to live by them.” We owe it to our struggling Veterans to do better by them.
ScretWitch over 2 years ago
Former Army here, so many brother and sisters-in-arms lost in war, so many more lost after. God Speed to all. #22aday
flushed over 2 years ago
JJ is talking about mine and yours brothers in arms. My war was Viet Nam for others it may have been Korea or WWII or more recently the Middle East. Too many to name but wars none-the-less. “All gave some, some gave all”. In remembrance of my friend Phil Fox. Flint Northern High School 1964. Rest in peace Phil and thank you for serving.
Bruce1253 over 2 years ago
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s live for your friends " – John 15:13
Thehag over 2 years ago
I had to print out a color picture of a Flanders Poppy and safety pin it to my shirt. I miss the the vets who would sell the cloth poppies on this weekend.Printed a copy of the poem and posted it at work.Have a hard time when people say “Happy Memorial Day!” It’s not happy, it’s in memoriam. I smile weakly and put my palms together in a peace/prayer gesture.
Boise Ed Premium Member over 2 years ago
I miss my dad, yes, but if he were here today he’d be 109 and probably a pain-ridden mess. I’m happy that he didn’t have to endure that.
Kr-perry Premium Member over 2 years ago
particularly appropriate this year.
Searcy9320 over 2 years ago
I look back on 40 years of service. God, I had so good from all those before me. I was in a few “HOT SPOTS” and The Desert, but nothing like Viet Nam, Korea, WW II. I was in over 15 foreign countries, sometimes just for training, some for working with the foreign homeland troops. I met and trained with Navy SEALS, Army Special Forces, fighter pilots (not to be one, but to know what to expect when they were on the targets.) Even had the opportunity to guard POTUS, FLOTUS, and VPPOTUS under the guidance of Secret Service. Sometimes the only fear I had was when the Aircraft I was on would either be breaking down or running low on fuel. Truth is I do feel guilty at times, I look back at what my Father, my Uncles, and my Father In Law and Brother In Law did in serving Our Country. Thank God for all those that serve and have served.
RonBerg13 Premium Member over 2 years ago
In Flanders Fields
BY JOHN MCCRAE
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,In Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.edeloriea14 over 2 years ago
Happy Memorial Day!
kennnyp over 2 years ago
A good friend of mine father died and was buried on June 11, 2019… Before his passing he never talked much about his war experience…but as he was close to ‘going home’ he opened up… brought out his medals….and told the family that…
He had been a medic with the 101 and on June 6, 1944 parachuted in to Sainte-Mère-Église with the rest of his ’’Band of Brothers"… Being a medic he jumped in without a weapon…and along with the rest of the 101 they took and held Sainte-Mère-Église fighting back numerous counter attacks….
He came home with a Purple Heart … a Bronze Star… a P.O.W. Medal….and the Legion of Honour presented to him by the President of France…. and other awards… The display exposition of those award at his funeral was breath taking….
He fought from D-Day through the Battle of the Bulge …serving and saving lives …..
He was a True American Hero…..
God Rest His Soul…and All Those Who Served to Keep Us Safe….
John Smith over 2 years ago
file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/f8/08/5CFDB758-E475-48C5-8E1A-ADDACDCAB44A/Screenshot%202022-05-31%20at%203.46.13%20PM.jpeg
majobis. over 2 years ago
I was at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery on Memorial Day. I went up a tall hill that overlooks the cemetery and runs along the MSP airport runway. I happen to take in the vastness of the place and see planes take off/land and little did I know the local news is down on the bottom of the hill with their reporter, and they happen to get a shot of me with my hand on the tree at the moment looking away but still taking in the site of the cemetery . Later that nite I saw that shot of myself and took a screen shot of it to show it on facebook and it was a real popular hit among my facebook friends. Funny how things happens in life.