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Memorial Day - 2010

Discussion in 'WWII Obituaries' started by Huntzman, May 28, 2010.

  1. Huntzman

    Huntzman Member

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    As we gather this weekend with our families and friends and "celebrate the holiday", let us never forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

    Sometimes I think it is only the active and former military service people, and we "collectors, historians, & rogues....." who still remember that freedom is not free, and the cost is unbearably high.

    Let the sacrifices of so few, for so many, never be forgotten and may their valor always hold a special place in our hearts.

    Currahee !!
     
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  2. Erich

    Erich Alte Hase

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    thanks Andrew we tend to forget about all ages that served and bled.

    sadly it seems only one weekend of the year when the parades exist and the possible air fly overs, possible military remembrance ceremony and the local cemetary. Yes easily overlooked and forgotten, maybe we all need to ask ourselves whom we are going to thanks over the next few days for our freedom(s)
     
  3. C.Evans

    C.Evans Expert

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    Amen to what you said Andrew. We should never forget the sacrifices all those fine folks ade for us since the beginning. Sadly though, it is becoming more and more apparent that people are forgetting the sacrifices made by said fine folks.
     
  4. fricker66

    fricker66 Member

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    Yes, great weekend to remember those who paid it all for our freedoms today. My deepest appreciation.
     
  5. Huntzman

    Huntzman Member

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    All too often their duty, honor and courage is forgotten because the cause is reviled by a select and vocal few.

    Politics can, and does trump, valor in some corners of society. But we must never forget that wars are fought because these "vaunted" politicians fail.

    The dear price paid by our soldiers is the bill due because of the failure of others.
     
  6. Keystone Two-Eight

    Keystone Two-Eight Member

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    Indeed, and what kind of message do we send to our fellows,when our own leader can't be bothered to attend Memorial Services for the very people who made it possible for his sorry hide to even be able to run for the Nations highest seat, let alone win it?

    While were talking about remembering I have something to say. I'm sorry fellas, I know this is a WWII forum, but it has to be done. Here's to the men of the USS Stark, often forgotten by those old enough to remember, and unknown to those who were not born yet. I remember you all, and the price you paid on May 17,1987
     
  7. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    :poppy: We Shall Never Forget :poppy:

    :poppy: In Flanders Fields :poppy:
    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.

    Please take the time to read the History of Memorial Day and reflect on the sacrifices of all those who have gone before us and continue to give the Ultimate Sacrifice.


    Memorial Day History

    We all owe more than we can ever repay. A few minutes of quiet thought today should not be too much to ask.
    Rest in Peace Our Brothers and Sisters, Our Son's and Daughters, Our Fathers and Mothers. I lift my glass to you and toast your memory. I also make this promise: You shall never be forgotten. :poppy:
     
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  8. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    Thanks for putting up the poem. For some reason, ever since I first came across it when I was in elementary school in the 50s, it has always stayed with me. It's a powerful piece. It doesn't matter what conflict it memorializes, it's apt in any situation.
     
  9. brndirt1

    brndirt1 Saddle Tramp

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    R.W. Lilliard’s response when America joined "The Great War", in reply to Dr. John MaCrae’s In Flanders Fields; named:

    America's Answer:

    Rest ye in peace, ye Flanders dead.
    The fight that ye so bravely led
    We've taken up. And we will keep
    True faith with you who lie asleep
    With a cross to mark his bed,
    In Flanders Fields.

    Fear not that ye have died for naught.
    The torch ye threw to us we caught.
    Ten million hands will hold it high,
    And Freedom's light shall never die!
    We've learned the lesson that ye taught
    In Flanders Fields.

    And let’s not forget the American lady who took the initiative to make the poppy the symbol of remembrance of those who fought, died, or were wounded in WW1 was also a poet. This actually happened on 9th November 1918, two days before the Armistice. On a meeting with war-secretaries of the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Organisation) she decided to buy 25 poppies to be used at the upcoming remembrance.

    Perhaps fostered by her earlier reading of Dr. John McCrae’s work. Here follows her poem given away with the poppies to recognize and support McCrae’s earlier poem:

     
    We shall keep the faith

    Oh! You who sleep in Flanders' Fields
    Sleep sweet - to rise anew;
    We caught the torch you threw,
    And holding high we kept
    The faith with those who died.

    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.
    But lends a luster to the red
    On the flower that blooms above the dead
    In Flanders' fields.

    And now the torch and Poppy red
    Wear in honor of our dead.
    Fear not that ye have died for naught:
    We've learned the lesson that ye taught
    In Flanders' fields.

    This final offering was penned by Don Crawford (untitled to my knowledge):

    "Please wear a poppy," the lady said
    And held one forth, but I shook my head.
    Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
    And her face was old and lined with care;
    But beneath the scars the years had made
    There remained a smile that refused to fade.

    A boy came whistling down the street,
    Bouncing along on care-free feet.
    His smile was full of joy and fun,
    "Lady," said he, "may I have one?"
    When she's pinned it on he turned to say,
    "Why do we wear a poppy today?"

    The lady smiled in her wistful way
    And answered, "This is Remembrance Day,
    And the poppy there is the symbol for
    The gallant men who died in war.
    And because they did, you and I are free.
    That's why we wear a poppy, you see.

    "I had a boy about your size,
    With golden hair and big blue eyes.
    He loved to play and jump and shout,
    Free as a bird he would race about.
    As the years went by he learned and grew,
    And became a man as you will, too.

    "He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,
    But he'd seemed with us such a little while
    When war broke out and he went away.
    I still remember his face that day
    When he smiled at me and said, Goodbye,
    I'll be back soon, Mom, so please don't cry.

    "But the war went on and he had to stay,
    And all I could do was wait and pray.
    His letters told of the awful fight,
    I can see it still in my dreams at night,
    With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,
    And the mines and bullets, The bombs and fire.

    "Till at last, at last, the war was won,
    And that's why we wear a poppy son."
    The small boy turned as if to go,
    Then said, "Thanks, lady, I'm glad to know.
    That sure did sound like an awful fight,
    But your son, did he come back all right?"

    A tear rolled down each faded check;
    She shook her head, but didn't speak.
    I slunk away in a sort of shame,
    And if you were me you'd have done the same;
    For our thanks, in giving, if oft delayed,
    Though our freedom was bought,
    And thousands paid!

    So when we see a poppy worn,
    Let us reflect on the burden borne,
    By those who gave their very all
    When asked to answer their country's call
    That we at home in peace might live.
    Then wear a poppy! Remember - and give

    Of course all poems of the November time-frame are irrelevant to this date, but still (lump in your throat) excellent poems.
     
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  10. Steve Petersen

    Steve Petersen Member

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    'It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men that died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.'

    -George S. Patton, Jr.
     
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  11. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    Damn, Now that's powerful!
     
  12. Spaniard

    Spaniard New Member

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    In honor of Memorial Day, I remember the Unsung Heroes of Many Wars, Women in Uniform many who have dedicated themselves to America's defense, from 1778 until today but their efforts have often been overlooked. Women around the world have played a critical role in War.

    The bottom Link Provides 39 picture of US Women in Service of their Country.

    Women in uniform - TODAY

    In honor of Memorial Day, the Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation compiled photos that highlight those who bravely dedicated themselves to America’s defense.

    At left is "Molly Pitcher: The Heroine of Monmouth." According to tradition, during the American Revolutionary War's battle of Monmouth, June 28th, 1778, the wife of an artillery sergeant carried water in a pitcher to thirsty soldiers. Over time, she came to be called Molly Pitcher for her kind services. It’s also been reported that she manned a cannon after her husband, John Hays, was hit in battle and that George Washington awarded her the title of sergeant for her dedication.



    [​IMG]



    Following British defeat by the Boers at the "Battle of Magersfontein" in December 1899,
    "Private Smith of the Black Watch," wrote the following poem:

    Such was the day for our Regiment,
    Dread the revenge we will take.
    Dearly we paid for the blunder.

    A drawing-room General’s mistake.
    Why weren’t we told of the trenches?
    Why weren’t we told of the wire?
    Why were we marched up in column!
    May Tommy Atkins enquire…


    Lest We Forget.



    A Mystic as Soldier

    By Siegfried Sassoon


    I lived my days apart,
    Dreaming fair songs for God;
    By the glory in my heart
    Covered and crowned and shod.

    Now God is in the strife,
    And I must seek Him there,
    Where death outnumbers life,
    And fury smites the air.

    I walk the secret way
    With anger in my brain.
    O music through my clay,
    When will you sound again?


    .
     
  13. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    These are photos we took at The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France on April 29, 2010. A couple more posts to follow in order add them all.
     

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  14. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    More photos from the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial:
     

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  15. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    More photos Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial:
     

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  16. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    More photos Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial:
     

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  17. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    More photos Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial:
     

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  18. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    More photos Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial:
     

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  19. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    More photos Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial:
     

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  20. macrusk

    macrusk Proud Daughter of a Canadian WWII Veteran

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    Well I've tried to add another 10, but since its not letting me I am assuming I've run out of posting space and I've already wrecked some previous posts by deleting those photos. I'll add more to the photo gallery.

    For information about the cemetery:

    "The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France is located on the site of the temporary American St. Laurent Cemetery, established by the U.S. First Army on June 8, 1944 and the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. The cemetery site, at the north end of its ½ mile access road, covers 172.5 acres and contains the graves of 9,387 of our military dead, most of whom lost their lives in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations. On the Walls of the Missing in a semicircular garden on the east side of the memorial are inscribed 1,557 names. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified.

    The memorial consists of a semicircular colonnade with a loggia at each end containing large maps and narratives of the military operations; at the center is the bronze statue, "Spirit of American Youth." An orientation table overlooking the beach depicts the landings in Normandy. Facing west at the memorial, one sees in the foreground the reflecting pool; beyond is the burial area with a circular chapel and, at the far end, granite statues representing the U.S. and France.

    The cemetery is open to the public daily except on December 25 and January 1. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April 15 to September 15, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year. It is open on host country holidays. When the cemetery is open to the public, staff members are on duty in the Visitor Center to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites."

    from American Battle Monuments Commission

    Re Flanders Fields I will be adding photos from Essex Farm Commonwealth WWI Cemetery where John McCrae wrote the poem following the death of his friend - also in the photo gallery as I cannot post any more photos in Forums (WWI where they would be appropriate) or threads.

    [Sorry, it's taking awhile to reduce photos at 10MB down to under 200kb.]
     

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