I am posting this here...

[jumpers-hit-it]

Well said Brother Heathen. Words of wisdom there Sister.

Cheers Brothers.

Here Here!

[Weazle23]

...the fallen speak to me at night and they told me to help you with that rucksack. Let them take a knee around you and pull security while you rest once in a while.

They're still patrolling.

This is an incredibly powerful post...

Yvette,
They will always be honored and never be forgotten even if they are not mentioned by name here.
Thank-you for taking your turn.

[yvette]

I normally don't give explanations for things I say and do,but I feel like I owe you guys one. Last year on Memorial Day, I lived in small town Upstate N.Y., Now memorial Day is not a "happy" day I know, so I wasn't expecting a parade or anything but I did think that maybe there would be something. Maybe the Flag outside the Post Office would be at half mass, or maybe a church service, or something but there was nothing. I asked my daughter if they talked about it in school she said no. That day I sat on the bench in the town square and thought about a rare time that my father talked about his time in the Service. He told me that when he jumped it was dark and hard to see where the water stopped and land started. He said that some men landed in the water and drowned, the weight of all the equipment they carried pulled them down almost instantly. He told me that sometimes men were crushed by the tanks right in the foxholes.
I wondered if the bodies of these men were ever brought home, it broke my heart and I cried there for almost an hour, I felt like these men were forgotten about. That was just what my father had seen and I wondered how many others there might be from other wars, forgotten about.
That day I made a promise that no Fallen Soldier would be forgotten again. Michael Jackson dies and it's on ever news channel all day long for a month. A Soldier dies fighting for our freedom and not a word is said and I think this is wrong.
It's hard to hold back my tears right now just thinking about it.
However I was wondering about a week ago if I should take a break as I was starting to become more and more depressed, I didn't want to abandon them. I take this as confirmation that it's ok, and that I'm not abandoning them.
I just don't know how much of a break I should take. I did make a promise, and if nothing else I keep my promises.
EVERY SINGLE DAY I WILL NEVER FORGET. So now what should I do?

[Ops NCO]

Yvette - What you're doing is a great thing. Our world would be a better place if more cared enough to remember those who died in defense of our nation.

But, I'm quite sure none of these men would want you to do something that would make you feel depressed while honoring them. These were men who knew death could come at any moment, so they also knew how important it was not to waste a moment of life.

You might want to consider another ritual that remembers them, but in a way that focuses on life. Plant a flower or light a candle for each one. There are lots of ways to remember the departed. Once you find the right thing, you'll know.

[Hendo]

Yvette, it has been said by many of us on here already but I'm going to put another spin on it. I lost a lot this time three years ago, not gonna go into it as it's not about me, but I've dwelled on it and been in a bad place on many an occasion because of it. Those that have gone before us would want us to embrace and celebrate life as they would if they could. Remember our brothers and sisters by enjoying your life, times and those around you. Bless your heart for what you do but to put a civilian twist on what the Heathen said just step back for a minute and live life. It will all be here when you get back.

[zanshin]

The dead are free from pain; it's the living who hurt. As my old plat-daddy Quickdraw used to say, "You don't have to practice being miserable."

[Skyshark]

Memorial Day in my house is a Happy Day.

Every Year since my son could walk (he is 14 now) he and I have had a tradition. I always take the day off from work. Unfortunately I have one of those jobs where the company is open 365 days a year. No matter what. Anyway, he and I have breakfast together his choice of restaurant, or sometimes at home. The nwe go and place a flag on my Grandpa's grave (WWII Navy). We then go to the State of Nevada Veterena Cemetary. He and I spend a little time at the 82nd Memorial and look around and pay our respects. He then lets me have a few moments to myself and I go have a chat with my old 1Sg and drinkning buddy whom is buried there in that cemetary. (I miss you Ron.) Ron died Sept 9th 2001. I got the call the night of Sept 10th late. I expected to wake up early and start making a lot of phone calls September 11th to spread the news about Ron but other events that morning took over. Anyway. My son talks to me and asks a lot of questions about what things mean well at least he used to. He know quite a bit now, and to me that is what Memorial Day is. It is a day of happiness. I can remember friends that I served with that are gone. I can look at the names of those that I didn't serve with and look at what they sacraficed for me. Some kid that barely graduated High School. I look at what they did for me and my family and they didn't even know who I was. Yeah that's a happy thought to me. Not too many countries in this world where a Dad can spend a day with his boy like that on a special day that means so much. Sure my boy and I spend every day together but that day and Veterans day are different those are our days. Never letting those memories go. Remembering. That's a good thing. A happy thing.

My question to you Yvette is this, Why would Memorial Day be a sad day for you when you live in the greateest country in the world. You have all these Freedoms. You can do so much. Why? Because of the men and women that took time out of thier lives to spend it on a wall protecting you while you sleep. Darlin, that's a good thing. Yes it is a sad thing that soldiers die. But the fruit of thier labor in this country? You just can't beat it sweetheart. Memorial Day is a good day. Celebrate it. Celebrate those lives that sacraficed so much.

Now. Take a knee a drink fucking water hooah?

[old grunt]

Thanks Kilted and Thanks Yvette...your hearts are BOTH in the right place!

[old grunt]

Great post Skyshark..and and even greater tradition you and your son share.

[yvette]

Thank you all for your words of wisdom, I know that I am Blessed to be allowed here amongst the Greatest Soldiers in the World.
To answer your question Sky Shark I think Memorial Day is sad for me for 2 reasons, first I think about all the families who have lost their loved ones. These men don't get to enjoy the freedom that they died for.Also it comes in the same month as the anniversary for the death of my father( May3). Maybe that just puts me in a sad mood already.

I'm going to meditate on this because I do think it's important to always honor the Fallen, but I'm not sure how.
My Soldiers in the sand box don't get to pick what days they will fight or die, so I think they should be honored everyday.
This to me is important. Some times I don't always know how I will get to where I'm going but I know where I need to be.
Now I think I will drink some water. God Bless you all.

[Jm1347]

Yvette- rest assured that our fallen brothers will never be forgotten. You honor all of us, by wanting to be a member in this community

[IEDmagnet]

The Ghosts of those we lost walk side by side with those of us who survived daily. They're in our beds at night, and they are never forgotten.

[zanshin]

I think about all the families who have lost their loved ones. These men don't get to enjoy the freedom that they died for.

Actually they do... they were free to fight for their families and nation and Constitution, not forced to fight for a King or God they were unsure of.

I'm going to meditate on this because I do think it's important to always honor the Fallen, but I'm not sure how.

Honor the soldiers who died fighting to protect our Nation by helping make the Nation what it should be. Vote, even in the little elections. Be involved. Educate without teaching hatred of those who think differently, because the freedom to think differently is part of the package deal called USA. Support and defend the ideals we believed in enough to put ourselves in harms way. Stress the importance of strong commitment to individual responsibility, and the benefits of personal Independence rather than dependance on Government. Consider the cost to the country whenever a politician offers you a tax-supported benefit for yourself. Be a good American, and teach your children to be good Americans, and no US soldier will ever have died in vain.

[Gato Rojo]

Damn, that's downright Eloquent! I have to rep you, because I also have to steal it for my sig thingee!

Actually they do... they were free to fight for their families and nation and Constitution, not forced to fight for a King or God they were unsure of.



Honor the soldiers who died fighting to protect our Nation by helping make the Nation what it should be. Vote, even in the little elections. Be involved. Educate without teaching hatred of those who think differently, because the freedom to think differently is part of the package deal called USA. Support and defend the ideals we believed in enough to put ourselves in harms way. Stress the importance of strong commitment to individual responsibility, and the benefits of personal Independence rather than dependance on Government. Consider the cost to the country whenever a politician offers you a tax-supported benefit for yourself. Be a good American, and teach your children to be good Americans, and no US soldier will ever have died in vain.

[Gato Rojo]

Apologies for a brief thread-jack:

Shoot, I can't find how to add that for my sig. anyone who wants to help, send me PM please.

We now return to our regularly scheduled discussion. There will be no further interruptions from this station.