I’d like to add my thanks for an operation you probably never heard of: Operation Quick Response. This was a combined effort by the Marines and Air Force in 1996 that rescued some 60 American personnel from Bangui, Central African Republic during a bloody coup. Among those rescued were my sister kiffa and her three young children.
Thank you.
Well, I’m bumping this thread, too.
I just got back from a trip to Gettysburg, where I stood by the Pennsylvania monument and looked down and then at the Virginia monument and looked up. Pickett’s Charge.
Then to the Wheatfield (and the Irish Brigade monument), Little Round Top and Devil’s Den.
Incredible.
Covered with over 1300 monuments. And not one of them says enough.
Cyn
I can’t imagine how I have missed this thread ever since it began. I kept tearing up as I read it. I’m thankful that although I am a military veteran it was during peacetime and I never would have seen fighting. And I’m thankful that my great-great-grandfather was willing to help preserve the Union during the Civil War. As a result he had to suffer as a POW in Andersonville. Sorry for the incoherence here, I’m choked up just now. Thanks for the OP Weirddave.
Well said, Dave & punha. My husband is in the military and before September 11, it seemed that people had forgotten just how important their job is. Since then, however, the general public has shown a new standard of respect for those men and women in the armed forces. So thank you, Dave, punha, for your thoughtful posts. We’ll pray for the safe return of all of the deployed soldiers today.
Well said, Dave.
Thank you for remembering.
Thank everyone for never forgetting.
There’s a local football player in Arizona - Pat Tillman - who turned down a multi-million dollar contract to sign a three year deal with… The Army. He wants to be a Ranger. I was amazed and saddened by the number of people who called the local sports shows and said what an idiot he was for walking away from the money to serve his country. A local radio station did a (unscientific) poll and 40% of the people polled said that he was crazy to leave the NFL to join the army. It’s incredible how many people take our liberties, that were bought and kept at so dear a price, for granted. And ironic how many people forget on Memorial Day.
There’s a quote from Thomas Jefferson that I think is appropriate here - “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
Thank you to all the men and women who gave their lives to nourish that tree.
Thank you, Pat Tillman and all the members of our Armed Forces, for remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice with your willingness to serve.
And thanks, Dave, for reminding us.
Bravo Dave. I’ve seen plenty on thanking those who still survive, and I have no doubt all of us will get equally misty come November 11th, that being Vetran’s Day where we thank those still alive who served our freedom.
My Father was a member in good standing of Post 11(?) of AmVets (An organization similar to the VFW) on Memorial Day weekends we would go over to the Post and pick up our bundles of flags. We would take them to 3 local Cemerteries where we would place them at Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen’s graves.We would also run to the local florist and pick up a few wreathes to decorate the entrance to the Graveyards as well as a local Bridge.
Mind you, being a small child and running in a graveyard can be spooky, but not for my Brother or myself. My Father saw it more of a Holiday.We’d pack up a cooler and have a Picnic right there among the graves!What a way to spend a sunny spring Saturday NO? My own Daughter got to do this just once, with her Grandfather before he passed, and I am greatfull she was able to particiape, even if she was too young to remember it. When my Father retired from doing this, the first year, I accompanied the new Flag bearer on his quest, as to show him how the lists where layed out and find the graves that were getting faded through time. Some gravestones being so old they were no longer readable. They did however have thier flags!
My father in his day aslo did Marshall duty at the local Vetran’s day parade. We’d follow at the end of the parade, letting each group or band join the parade. We would make a great big sign for the back of his van that usually read “The End” It was even funner for me as my Birthday happens to be Nov. 11, my Father would tell me that the parade was for MY Birthday!
Thanks for Serving Steve,US Navy though your time was in peace unlike our brother and Father.
Thanks Bob, US Army for serving during Korea.
Thanks Dad, US AirCorps for serving in The Marshalls and Kwajulant(sp?) during WWII. If you had a grave, I’d flag it. Thank You for teaching me to respect men like yourself.
Thanks to everyone on the boards who have served! Spend the time to thank your families as well.You will be given another opportunity come this fall. Don’t miss it!
Annual bump. (Well, looks like someone was asleep at the wheel in '03.)
Also, Linus Van Pelt’s post has new meaning this year.
Let us add to Dave’s list a reflection on the valor of the hundreds of thousands of American troops who have served, or are serving right now, in a most difficult conflict in Iraq. And a moment of silence for the 806 Americans who have given their lives there to date.
Well said.
::nods::
Thank you.
And for my friends (both IRL and online) who are in the military, be safe.
Amen. With thanks too deep for words.