Memorial Day 2009

[Lavabe]

Driving back from western Kentucky yesterday, all the poppies were in bloom on the side of the road. I couldn't help but think about Memorial Day.

Thoughts, prayers, and thanks to all of those who have given us so much.

Thanks to all who have served and who continue to serve the US.

[bjornolf]

What he said. As G. Gordon Liddy says, thanks to all those who serve and have served our country in the armed forces, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.

Thanks also to my dad, a career Air Force officer who did a tour in Vietnam back in the day. Thanks, dad. I appreciate all that you did for us. Thanks also to my mom, and all the families of these men and women. You've sacrificed a lot too, and I appreciate you as well.

(my new sig for today, July 4th, Veterans' Day, and maybe a couple others I haven't thought of yet)

[wilson]

Hear, hear. Hope everyone gets at least a couple of hours today to celebrate how fortunate we are to live where we live and have the rights and privileges of, for example, goofing off in entirely unfettered internet forums.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Ditto to what Lavabe said. I don't agree with our current wars, but I'm thankful that we have soldiers who are willing to voluntarily step into harm's way and fight for our country. Thoughts also to those who have fought in the wars before my time, we wouldn't be the same country we are today without their service and sacrifice.

[Lavabe]

On this day, a little poetry:
http://www.english.emory.edu/LostPoets/McCrae.html

[windsor]

On this day to honor all those who served, I choose Lincoln:

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- 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.

[CathyCA]

I got to thank clbunchofnumbers' dad last night for his service to our country. We went to a fabulous Memorial Day party, and all of the service men and women in attendance were recognized, applauded, and got American flags to take home.

[captmojo]

We are truly blessed to have had the type of men and women, that would be willing to lay down the ultimate sacrifice, to protect the freedoms and liberties of so many fellow countrymen that they might never meet. This is the reason this holiday is so important. May we never forget them.

[devildeac]

Word-to ALL of the above thoughts.

[cl15876]

I have to also say, THANK YOU to all the men and women that have selflessly gone into harms way to protect the freedoms that I, my family, friends, and friends to be have and are enjoying and my heart and my love goes out to the families who mourn the losses of their loved ones who have soo proudly given themselves for all of US!