Memorial/Decoration Day
 

I want to extend the hope of a meaningful and pleasant Memorial Day to all the US Pixies. On this reflective holiday, the citizens of every country are remembered, who stood up for their nation and fell for their people.

Beautifully said, PF. Amen!

less we forget (what we say on anzac day)

The cookouts are because of Memorial Day; we don't celebrate Memorial Day so that we may have cookouts.

I was able to be at a place yesterday where I saw several men (ages from early 20's - mid 40's) who are currently in the military and were dressed in full uniform with medals and bars and everything ... it was a very visual reminder of the service that has been given by them and so many others ... some who are still with us and so many who are not .... it is always a poignant reminder and deeply appreciated .... thanks pf for taking the time to say it as well!

America the Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.

America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.

Heartfelt thanks to all who have served or are currently serving their country.

I still haven't worked out whether Arlington was a wonderfully depressing place, or a depressingly wonderful place.

It was the ying to the Wall's yang.

I spent some time this weekend with a friend who has served this country on numerous occasions, been shot several times and received three purple hearts. He had a very rough time, talked a lot, cried a lot and all I could do was hug him and tell him thank you from the bottom of my heart for what he has given and continues to give for our country and others. I have always known and aknowledged what Memorial Day represented, but this was the first time I actually saw firsthand the effect it had/still has on our men and women who fought/fight to protect our freedom.

I am humbled.

I like to make a point of saying "Thank You" to anyone I meet who did/does serve in the military. This weekend I spoke to a gentleman who served in the US Navy during WWII. I simply told him thanks for all that he and his generation did for us during that time. He had tears in his eye as he shook my hand and said "Son, Your welcome and we would all do it again if we had to". I walked away with a lump in my throat.

I love Arlington, and I love the spirit of this country...so best expressed in the dedication of American soldiers past and present.

Just Remembering
 

I am very humbled by those who have given everything for the rest of us.

I graduated from a very small high school in 1965, our graduating class had 23 in it. Of those 23 students 11 were Male, and 6 died in Military service between 1965 and 1972.

It makes our HS reunions kind of strange.

Bless everyone who has served !.

:bump:



As time passes we normally 'grow', 'evolve', 'change' in many ways. There also are some matters that do not change for us. This is one of them for me.

Yup.

It's difficult having to keep reminding people that ANZAC Day/Memorial Day/Remembrance Day are not about war, but the men and women who served, the living and the dead.

Sometimes it's difficult to convince people that the soldiers are just following orders.

:confused:


"..... the living......"? My prospective has always been Decoration Day is when we reflect on our citizens that paid the ultimate price in the service of the country. Supposedly it's roots started with the decoration of solders graves with spring flowers after the American Civil War . A special time to recognize the living veterans was set at the end of WWI when the Armistice was signed on November 11th. :shrug:

God bless all those that serve their countries with honor and courage; at home or abroad. And, especially bless those, that in that service, gave themselves for their country.

Nuremberg scotched that argument, LS.

I think so too PF, of course I could be wrong..... Memorial Day we place flowers and hold ceremonies at the grave sites of those lost in battle. Veterans Day (Oct. 11?) we recognize those who served and returned home to a grateful nation. But then it doesn't hurt to say thank you to all who served on either or both holiday. Thank you from me to all our vets!!

Oz is mostly the other way around, 11th November is more for the lost, ANZAC Day for them all.

......... and they drive on the wrong side too.




:roflmao:

Yes, those Americans do.