In Memory of our fallen heros

Take time this weekend from family and friends give thanks for the heros that gave their lives for our freedom. We thank God for each and every one and for their families.

From Solar Flared, "They pay the ultimate price, honor them". They have beautiful pictures, go visit them.

"Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - Orwell

To the men and women of the US Armed Forces stationed around the world, I want to thank you and wish you a safe and speedy return to your loved ones at home. Happy Memorial Day.

A blog dedicated to our troops, Freedom Isn't Free, has a beaufitul tribute up for this Memorial Day weekend. I suggest you go read it all, but here's a sample:

'The red poppy became associated with war after the publication of a poem by Canadian war veteran, Colonel John McCrae titled, "In Flanders Fields". ... (VFW.org)

Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals.' ... As a child, I didn't understand the symbolism of these simply crafted red flowers. ... but every Spring when I see the brilliantly red poppies, I think of him [my grandpa], and of all those who have given so much for me and for you. (read it all and the poem "In Flanders Field" here)

From Sisu, "Keep the faith, keep the hope, keep the love"

Sunrise this morning over Eastern Point across the river from Goomp's, headquarters for the family's Memorial Day salute to the awesomely brave and good and true fellow Americans who give their all so we might enjoy such natural wonders. We think you know who you are, our beloved fellow bloggers and readers who serve and love those who serve. We cannot thank you enough. God bless. (go read it all)

Comments

[Thomas Hamilton]

On this Memorial Day weekend, I think back to a few specific events in history, and I marvel at the courage and selflessness displayed by our men and women in arms.

First comes to mind the heroes on Bataan and Corregidor in WW2. They were surrounded and outnumbered and eventually captured by a fanatical enemy that worshiped a heathen god and had no moral decency (remind you of anyone today?). Their treatment on the Bataan death march and in the death camps of the Philippines was unimaginable. Many died from murder, disease, and starvation, yet the remainder stayed strong and proud, taunting the Japanese effort until General MacArthur’s forces finally came back. Some even escaped into the hills and waged guerilla war until liberation day. These men and women are true heroes. The liberals and nay-sayers today have no concept of such sacrifice.

I think of the warriors of Dolittle’s Raid. These guys did what many of the day probably thought impossible, flying a B-25 land based bomber off a carrier. The flight had to take off early because they were spotted by the Japanese. This meant that they would not be able to make it to their proposed landing bases in China. Now think about this for a minute. They did not know if they would even get off the deck of the ship. They DID know that they would have to bail out, crash land, or ditch in the ocean. They DID know that their bombing raid would have little meaning from a military standpoint. It would only suffice to give a small morale boost to America in the dark days following Pearl Harbor. In spite of this they flew the mission anyway. Some died, some were captured, most made it back home eventually with the help of the Chinese. What courage! What sacrifice! How many of us would launch out into an apparent suicide mission when the military objective was meaningless? The folks of those days WERE the greatest generation. They grew up in the depression and had to fight and win that awful war.

I think of the heroes of D-day, June 6, 1944. I think of the airborne troops parachuting into the night into Nazi occupied France. I remember watching the opening to Saving Private Ryan and thinking how terrifying and horrible that day must have really been.

I think of the troops at Gettysburg on both sides of the struggle and how they witnessed the greatest military carnage in American history, with the corpses of fallen soldiers, dead horses, and amputated limbs piled as high as the windows of the houses. What a horrible scene that must have been on those hot summer days of 1863.

I think of the warriors of the revolution and especially those men that signed the Declaration of Independence. By a simple signature they risked it all. They risked losing their property, their families, their very lives!

Don’t forget our guys and gals today fighting the fanatical enemy, an enemy who hates us just because of who we are. An enemy who would slit our throats just because we won’t worship their heathen god and their false prophet.

I type this with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. Somehow “thank you” is just not enough!