Lest We Ever Forget...

Atten hut!



In Flanders Fields
John McCrae, 1915.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce 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 die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

Dismissed

[edit on 31-5-2010 by WWJFKD]

Memorial Day:

was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

www.usmemorialday.org...

[edit on 31-5-2010 by WWJFKD]

Agreed.

Today there is no "left" or "right"
Today there is no "us" vs. "them"
Today there is no "Democrat" or "Republican"

Today it is only "We the people." Too bad everyday isn't more like this. I hope people take a moment today to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our American way of life.

The picture below is from the newly opened Veteran's Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida where my father was laid to rest. Although he didn't die in combat, he served valiantly during WWII. I am extremely grateful to all who performed duty for our great country.
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/55f5b6bcb505.jpg[/atsimg]

We'll visit today.

As a reminder today isn't just about grilling and mattress sales. Please take a moment to thank those who give us freedom every day.

Thank You OP, on this we can agree. S&F




[edit on 31-5-2010 by kinda kurious]

reply to post by kinda kurious


Thank you for your Fathers "courageous" service to this nation...


[edit on 31-5-2010 by WWJFKD]

Thank you for this thread. My dad as well as most of my uncles served during WWII and my older brothers served during Vietnam. God Bless.

reply to post by maybee


Thank you for your family members sacrifices to a grateful nation...


[edit on 31-5-2010 by WWJFKD]

I'd like to share a brief bit of trivia.

My Dad was buried with full military honors. (Navy Lt. Commander)

At the conclusion of the ceremony, my Mom was presented with the folded flag from the casket and 3 spent shell casings from 21 gun salute. At the time, we were not aware of the significance of the shells but kept them and had them mounted/framed along with his flag in a case.

I learned that this symbolic gesture dates back to the Civil War. At the end of each day's battle, one side would fire 3 shots in the air and the opposing side responded with 3 shots. This was sign of cease fire.

The dead and wounded from each side were allowed to be removed from the battlefield.

That sign of respect humbles me each time I see those empty shells. Just thought this was worthy to share, thanks.



[edit on 31-5-2010 by kinda kurious]

reply to post by kinda kurious


I appreciate you sharing that, I had not heard that before. I wish that it was a tradition that was still exercised.

reply to post by WWJFKD


Today is the 5th anniversary of my father's death.
At his funeral service,the color guard saluted my
father for serving his country in Korea.At the gravesite,
they fired their guns in a 21 gun salute.Before lowering
my dad's casket,they folded the American flag and
handed it to my mom.
I had forgotten that I lost my dad 5 years ago today.

reply to post by mamabeth


Today none will be forgotten... God bless your father for his dedicated service...

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/a7ee7ca93f88.jpg[/atsimg]

thank you...

Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God

The Tomb of the Unknowns contains the remains of unknown American soldiers from World Wars I and II, the Korean Conflict and (until 1998) the Vietnam War. Each was presented with the Medal of Honor at the time of interment and the medals, as well as the flags which covered their caskets, are on display inside the Memorial Amphitheater, directly to the rear of the Tomb.

The Tomb is guarded 24-hours-per-day and 365-days-per year by specially trained members of the 3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard).

[edit on 31-5-2010 by WWJFKD]

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/e1e51c40f5d6.jpg[/atsimg]

Thank you for his selfless sacrifice and dedicated service...

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/43e2564517b0.jpg[/atsimg]

Today you are all in our thoughts... thank you...

Great Post ...imo the more the better.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/ad5d25ca1abe.jpg[/atsimg]

reply to post by WWJFKD


I wish to Thank You WWJFKD for this Great Post.
THANK YOU!
It is very important we remember today, Our Fathers, Mothers, Brothers and Sisters.
Many of us have fathers still alive today from WW11, I do.
My Dad puts up our flag and then lowers our flag to half mast. salutes and hangs his head in prey for 2 or 3 minutes.
Of course I and my wife are standing next to him, I also salute and say a prey. I'm a Viet Nam Vet and guess what, I'm proud of my service.
My wife served. In the Chinese Peoples Army, My wife who is now a Naturalized American Citizen, Also salutes The Flag Of The United States of America. She also say a prey and she mentioned to me, she also preys for the fallen comrades of the Flying Tigers that help China in those early days of the war, I guess her father worked at the Flying Tiger Base, cleaning latrines. I wish she could remember the name of the base.

Any way, I'm sorry I rambled.
THANK YOU WWJFKD.

reply to post by guohua

Your contribution and service is appreciated.

Today is not about a Where, a When or even a Why.

Today is about a Who...

reply to post by WWJFKD


Thank you for posting this photo.

IN LOVING MEMORY:

Well spoken Commander...