Memorial Day

[EDT]

As we remember those who died or were injured protecting our freedom. A special THANK YOU to all who served our Country.

 

[LonghornCatholic]

 

[HornHuskerDad]

A prayer for those men and women protecting the USA around the world today - and a special prayer of remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

HHD

 

[OldHippie]

In memory of my friends:
Danny Gilstrap
Bill Hardwick

I went to high school with Bill. We both played on the football team. He was a starting defensive tackle and a good one. I went to college with Danny and his wife. Bill and Danny were both genuinely good guys.

I was drafted in November 1968, but as luck would have it, I spent my 2 years out of harms way in El Paso, Texas.

 

[Hook 'Em Danno]

 

[Vol Horn 4 Life]

 

[dillohorn]

 

[Third Coast]

I saw the documentary "D-Day 360" on PBS the other day recounting what those guys landing at Normandy were going through on that day seventy years ago next week.

I have never been to war, so I cannot begin to imagine what those brave souls were experiencing when they waded into hell with a pack that weighed 70-80 pounds on their back. One old veteran described the sound as a beehive, because there were so many bullets buzzing past.

Almost made me want to watch Saving Private Ryan again - almost. Now that I think about it, that was a really painful movie to watch. The beach landing was numbing enough, but I think the scene that disturbed me the most was when the marine was fighting the german hand to hand and was stabbed with the bayonet.

A retired Colonel said the hard reality of war is that to a commanding officer his soldiers are like currency, or coins used to buy an objective. You go in hoping for the best, but knowing there will be a cost. That seems like a rather cold analogy, but quite accurate nonetheless.

Speaking of veterans of that war, there are fewer and fewer remaining now and it won't be long before there are none left living. That's like the end of an era.

I have to say that I really dislike war, but I have the most profound respect, admiration and gratitude for those in the military. My thoughts and prayers to all that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

 

[notanative]

At a recent charity lunch the speaker was Donovan Campbell, decorated Marine who is now on the leadership training circuit.

He said that one of the questions he gets most is what to say to our service men and women when they are shipping out overseas. His advice is to say "Thank you for what you're doing, and I promise you that while you are away I will be doing everything that I can to make this a better place when you come back than it was when you left."