Let’s not forget what Memorial Day is all about. It’s not about shopping or going to the park, it’s about those who served and died for our country. It’s so sad that many just take our country and our freedom(which we are losing) for granted. Do have fun and run a train, but keep that in mind. I’m sure you on this forum share this sentiment.
Germany 67-69
Vietnam 69-70
National Guard 77-95(My sons served in the unit with me.)
Amen
Well said Jerry!
Here is a film clip that was sent to me, I have not seen before.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKqT0-3JV5E&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I am lucky enough to have a family that understands. Dad, at 93, WWII, Me VN, and a Stepson who did serve in the Army.
God bless us all.
Lou
Say thank you to the next service person you meet. And to all my fellow veterans, Thank you for your service and I would stand next to every one of you again any time, anywhere.
Chester Louis SA #64 Hampshire County Narrow Gauge
Same here Chet.
(http://www.northfloridashooting.com/images/Navy%20Vet.gif)
'68-'74 AE2 VA-83 CAW-17
Jerry Barnes said:
Let’s not forget what Memorial Day is all about. It’s not about shopping or going to the park, it’s about those who served and died for our country. It’s so sad that many just take our country and our freedom(which we are losing) for granted. Do have fun and run a train, but keep that in mind. I’m sure you on this forum share this sentiment.
Germany 67-69
Vietnam 69-70
National Guard 77-95(My sons served in the unit with me.)
All of it was shore duty, huh? 
Thanks for your service, Jerry.
Thank you Jerry. And thank you to all my fellow veterans.
Vietnam 1966-67
Army 9th INF DIV
Mobile Riverine Force
Mekong Delta
I do that thanking, but not often enough.
Thanks for the reminder.
I always get a nice response.
Vietnam era WestPac service area.
Proud to have Veteran’s plates on our cars.
I recently had someone poke their head in the car while we were stopped somewhere and said thanks to me!
USS Somers, DD-947 - Jan '64 - Apr '66
USS Bridget, DE-1024 - Apr '66 - Sep '66
Don Howard
ETR2
I should add to my previous post;
U.S. Navy 1966 to 1972
USS Forrestal CVA-59 1967 to 1969
Med cruse 1968 to 1969
Chester Louis SA #64 Hampshire County Narrow Gauge
yes it is time to remember friends that are on the WALL
Richard
Always stop and give a firm handshake, a smile, and a “thank you for serving” to anyone in uniform, wherever you should encounter them. You can spot a serviceman out of uniform, by their swagger and attitude, they need the praise also.
At my photo studio, We always give free settings and a print, to anyone in uniform, you never know when it may be Moms legacy picture of her son/daughter.
Freedom isn’t free. It’s carried on the back of brave young men and women.
I enlisted in the U.S. Army 1969-78
And a thank you from up here too.
On my way to local Memorial Day Services for those who can’t make it.
Lou Luczu
US Army Combat Engineer
Instructor, US Army Engineer School
RVN 1971-72
25th Infantry Division, Hawaii
Career Soldier caught in Post Vietnam RIF
In line at the supermarket last Friday, and saw a man wearing a cap saying “Veteran,” with a ship’s number. Our eyes met and I said “Thank you for your service.” He said “I was just a ship’s cook just before the end of the war,” meaning WWII. Then told me that he always liked to cook, having learned from his mother. He said “ship’s cook” was one of the available assignments, and he took it. He said his shipmates always said that his cooking “tasted like home”, making him a popular guy with lots of privileges!
And, I just now put my flag up in honor of all those who have served our Country.
HEROS ALL!!
Jerry Barnes said:
Let’s not forget what Memorial Day is all about.
Thank you Jerry and all that have served and are serving as it’s your weekend!
In Flanders Fields
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.
Fiddler's Green
Halfway down the trail to Hell,
In a shady meadow green
Are the Souls of all dead troopers camped,
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddlers' Green.
Marching past, straight through to Hell
The Infantry are seen.
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddlers' Green.
Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene.
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddlers' Green.
And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers' Green.
David E. Hill
2nd & 3rd Armored Divisions 1969-1971
C Troop 1st Regiment 1st Cavalry Squadron; RVN 1971-72
Thanks for both, David. I’d never seen “Fiddlers’ Green” before. It’s a s–t kicker of a poem.
“War is an ugly thing but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.” --economist John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)
