Memorial Day - They Sacrificed their tomorrows for us

[thedrifter]

Memorial Day - They Sacrificed their tomorrows for us <br />
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&quot;If our eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and...

[thedrifter]

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[thedrifter]

The True Meaning of Memorial Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK0T4pVHP28&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eonemarinesview%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded

Ellie

[SSgt Ramsey]

Wow....how very humbling....

[thedrifter]

Take a moment to remember

By Pete Wheeler

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Memorial Day stirs emotions at opposite ends of the spectrum.

On the one hand, we celebrate the rewards made possible by the sacrifices of our fallen soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen. Because of their selfless devotion to duty, we enjoy freedoms that are the envy of the world, and we prosper in a homeland untouched by the devastation of war.

On the other hand, we mourn and honor those who paid the ultimate price for these rewards. These fallen heroes gave their lives in service to our nation, on the foreign soils of Europe, across the islands of the South Pacific, through the northern reaches of Korea, in the jungles of Vietnam, and in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Celebration and remorse; victory and death; hope and helplessness; relief and sadness: These are the conflicting emotions associated with Memorial Day. For every headline written about the success of a battle or conflict overseas, there are loved ones here in America who must endure never-ending pain.

America has asked our men and women of the U.S. armed forces to pay a very high price indeed, but the causes have been just.

If we value anything more than freedom, we will lose our freedom. If we value comfort or money more than freedom, we will lose that, too.

Throughout its history, America has given up its sons and daughters for the sake of world peace and freedom. America’s intent has never been to conquer and suppress, but rather to defend and assist.

Ours is a country willing to use its military power for the good of humankind. Our guiding purpose has been nothing less than the eradication of tyranny. Is it any wonder that our military has been called to arms on a regular basis? Evil takes no holiday.

These fallen military heroes to whom we pay special homage on Memorial Day are much more than names on gravestones. They are symbols of our march toward a time when the world order will stand for justice, democracy, and economic freedom.

As Americans, it is our solemn obligation to remember their sacrifice.

This Memorial Day, we urge all Americans to participate in the National Moment of Remembrance, an observance to honor those who died in service to our nation. The moment occurs at 3 p.m. local time Monday, lasting for one minute.

The goal of the National Moment of Remembrance is to reclaim Memorial Day as the solemn event it was intended to be by:

» Bringing Americans together to simultaneously pause, remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to our nation

» Recognizing the value of our freedom and liberties we enjoy and the ultimate sacrifice made by our fallen heroes to keep us free and protect these liberties

» Making Memorial Day relevant to younger Americans.

On Monday, we urge all Georgians to pause from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or to listen to “Taps” in tribute to those who died in service to our country.


Pete Wheeler is commissioner of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

LETTER: Remembering those who served on Memorial Day
Fri May 22, 2009, 12:54 AM EDT

Malden - To the editor:

I would like to extend sincere gratitude to all of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have fought and died for our great city, state and country.

As we remember and honor those who have fought and died for our freedom it is also important that we recognize and commend the men and women currently serving in our armed forces. Their dedication is one of the main reasons that America remains secure. The devotion of these troops is a tribute to all of those who have died in defense of our liberty and the freedom that keeps our nation a beacon of hope throughout the world.

On Memorial Day it is understandable to feel somber about the loss of our loved ones, but me must always remember and never forget that our freedom comes as a direct result of their actions. Sorrow, may be the word that best describes what we feel for the brave men and women who so valiantly and willingly gave of their blood, their sweat, their tears and ultimately their lives so that we could enjoy our freedoms here today.

Fond thoughts of our fallen soldiers lead us to the hope that they would not want us to dwell on their demise. Indeed, these heroes would want us to value our liberties, our freedom and the relative peace that we enjoy today as a result of their sacrifice.

As we look toward the future we must impart on our youth the importance and gravity of Memorial Day. If we do not teach them well, if we choose to overlook the past then all of the bravery and valor that was demonstrated by those who fought for America will be in vain and that, quite simply, is unacceptable.

Our fallen soldiers have already given of their life for every one of us. Now, it is our obligation to give them our thoughts, prayers and gratitude for the liberties we enjoy today.

This Memorial Day, as we honor our fallen soldiers for their sacrifice and service, we can remember a quotation from President Reagan, who so eloquently said “There can be no greater good that the quest for peace and no finer purpose than the preservation of freedom.”

Let us reflect on our past tribulations so that future generations can have a better understanding of how to practice peace and extend freedom. That may be the best way to pay tribute on Memorial Day.

I am a candidate for Malden City Council at large. I am providing Memorial Day Commemorative buttons free to any Malden resident in honor of Memorial Day and plan to provide fellow parade marchers with pins in hopes for a large turnout along the parade route on Monday.

Anybody that would like to receive a Memorial Day pin should contact me by e-mail david@davidformalden.com or by phone 781-324-5949.
David D’Arcangelo
Bainbridge Street

Malden

Ellie

http://www.wickedlocal.com/malden/archive/x313652561/g13c000b1e5e2e5107b1a640846553f12208a09be61d453.jp g

[thedrifter]

Memorial
Day
2009
------------------------



History

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet (see below) carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

Ellie

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[thedrifter]

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

THE SOLDIER'S FAITH

http://people.virginia.edu/~mmd5f/holmesfa.htm

WWII's Kilroy Was Here

http://www.kilroywashere.org/

Vietnam Memorial - Virtual Wall

http://www.virtualwall.org/

Elaine's Memorial Day Page

http://homepages.tesco.net/~derek.berger/holidays/memorialday.html

US Memorial Day - LOTS OF GREAT STUFF!

http://www.usmemorialday.org/

All POW MIA Memorial Day Page

http://www.aiipowmia.com/histories/histmemday.html

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Ellie

[thedrifter]

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[thedrifter]

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[thedrifter]

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For those who fought for Freedom

We gather here today
To pay respect and honor
On this Memorial Day

For those who died for others
That all men might be free
The pride of our great Nation
The sons of Liberty

For all the sons and daughters
Who heard their Nation's call
For all the missing Heroes
On The Vietnam Wall

For all the weeping fathers
Who gave this land their own
For mothers who rocked the cradles
Of great Heroes that we've known

For those with "Pale Blue Ribbons"
For our Sailors who rest at Sea
Remember this Memorial Day
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

[thedrifter]

Words from Ronald Reagan on Memorial Day <br />
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President Ronald Reagan's June 6, 1984 speech in front of the U.S. Ranger Monument in Normandy commemorating the Rangers' charge up Pointe du Hoc: ...

[thedrifter]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!


Dear God, who suffered
torment, agony and death upon the Cross
to free our souls from the chains of iniquity;
protect and defend our troops.
Guide them in the performance of
their Duties.
Strengthen them to endure hardship,
danger, and deprivation in
Your service.
Let their efforts free the people
of Iraq from the chains of terror
and slavery, foster a lasting peace
in the region, and bring all to a
greater share in Your mercy.
Amen.



Amazing Grace
by John Newton

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, .
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

[thedrifter]

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Ellie

[Lisa 23]

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[lightningthug2]

Memorial Day

Today, take time to remember,
the people that are elite club members.
Our men and women who gave their lives,
to see that our country survives.
Lost in wars of strengths,
they gave all going to great lengths.
Giving the ultimate gift,
we can only hope it was swift.
Remembering them this Memorial Day,
keep them in our prayers as we pray.

http://comiccoverage.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/27/memorial_day.jpg
OOH RAH