I personally would like to thank, in my mind, all those who have gave their ALL over the years so that we have freedom to enjoy. They paid the untimate price. SALUTE
I agree. Too many people forget why they have the freedom to have a picnic or shop the discounts at the mall.
REMEMBER THE FALLEN!!
Flags at half-staff tomorrow everyone!
From what we saw via a CBC report this evening, sadly there are some living souls working at your ‘Arlington Cemetery’ who are not so respectful . . . .
doug c
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“War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war, is worse. A man who has nothing which he cares more about than he does about his personal safety is a miserable creature who has no chance at being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.” --British philosopher John Stuart Mil
Absent Friends.
Our town’s memorial service this morning brought this day back to the veterans that gave it all. Over the last number of years, the emphasis has been moving more and more toward remembering all the people and family members that have past on and not just those that have fought for our freedom. It is good to see the pendulum swinging back to the purpose of the day. I hope this is a trend throughout the Country. To those lost friends and Patriots, many I never even knew but sacrificed everything for my family’s freedom. Lord have mercy on their souls. Amen
Though it’s a Revolutionary War Memorial, I believe it fitting for all those who gave all. Ralph
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It is refreshing to read a series of post’s concerning Memorial Day that actually understand what Memorial Day is.
I have seen and heard, through the years, what seems like hundreds of quotes, poems, and stories concerning this day but recently ran across this rather different view. But considering it’s source it is no wonder it has a different but truthful twist.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”
General George Patton
On behalf of all the men & women of the Freedom Central to all those out there who have stood between the Constitution of the United States of America and those who would do us harm, we salute you!
Two hundred and thirty-six years ago, our fore-fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, born in strife and resistance to an oppressive and domineering monarchy half a world away. Perhaps it is historical irony that today, in addition to being called to protect our own nation that the forces of the American military are called upon the world over to lend assistance in times of crisis, anywhere and anytime there are people in need of help.
From our humble beginnings as a collection of thirteen free and fiercely independent nations, we have, despite the trappings of time and social acceptance always pushed forward in the hopes of providing a better tomorrow for ourselves and those who would come after us. We’ve stumbled, had to pick ourselves up, dust our selves off and drag ourselves forward once more, but the American soldier has always been there to help us along.
It is not the greatest locomotives; our mightiest of combat vessels; nor even our superior spaceflight capability that has made America the most powerful nation on Earth. It is the pride, dedication, hard work, determination and sacrifice of the millions of American soldiers who have trained, fought… and died throughout our history. It is with sorrow that any American must shed his or her blood to defend our nation, but it is truth. A truth that makes their sacrifice so much more noble: that we do so, not in a spirit of conquest, but only to defend ourselves and to help those who cannot help themselves.
Army - Air Force - Coast Guard - Marines - Navy… Five political designations that separate them into categories, yet there is one designation that unites them all… honorable hero. God Bless the American Soldier.
Memorial Day - Theodosia Pickering Garrison
A handful of old men walking down the village street
In worn, brushed uniforms, their gray heads high;
A faded flag above them, one drum to lift their feet-
Look again, O heart of mine, and see what passes by!
There’s a vast crowd swaying, there’s a wild band playing,
The streets are full of marching men, or tramping cavalry.
Alive and young and straight again, they ride to greet a mate again-
The gallant souls, the great souls that live eternally!
A handful of old men walking down the highways?
Nay, we look on heroes that march among their peers,
The great, glad Companions have swung from heaven’s byways
And come to join their own again across the dusty years.
There are strong hands meeting, there are staunch hearts greeting-
A crying of remembered names, of deeds that shall not die.
A handful of old men?-Nay, my heart, look well again;
The spirit of America today is marching by!