I just felt like starting this post so that all of us out here could take a minute and remember the real reason why we celebrate Memorial Day.  I don't have to mention how much we all suffer out here with this beast we have to deal with; however, our suffering pales in comparision to the ultimate sacrifice many of our fellow Americans have given to this country.  I just want to send my thoughts out to two soldiers who were close to me.  The first is my father who was your typical citizen/soldier of World War II.  He went on to live a long healthy life but left us on May 31st 2002.  The second is Dominic, a neighbor of mine who was tragically killed in Viet Nam in April of 1970.  I was just a young boy then but it was my first experience with death from war.  I still remember him to this day, coming home on leave in his uniform, the real hero of the neighborhood.  If anyone has someone they knew in the services who you would like to remember this day then feel free to take a moment and remember them here.  My thoughts go out to them too.


John

My heroes are my Dad who served in the Korean conflict and my son Christopher who is active duty today.  Both served in times of conflict so this world could be a better place.

Mine is to my Grandpa, who trained paratroopers during WWII, My father who served in Vietnam and my 2 brother-in-laws, one who is stationed in Mexico City and one who will be going to Iraq in October.

God Bless them and all the soldiers, present and past.

All I know is every time a kiowa pilot got killed, we all ached for Ree. Minnies lost a nephew there, I have so many of "our kids" Clusterville family, out in Iraq now.

We all have so much to be grateful for and whether it's ANZAC day, Memorial day or Rememberance Sunday here - I honour them all and thank them for my freedom.

Paul lives near Waterloo, the birthplace of Memorial Day and one or the other of us mention it every week when we drive through it. (When I'm there) I'm proud and I'm grateful to all who have given for my freedom.

Helen

Thanks to James A. Osenga, my father-in-law, who served in the Army Air Corps in WWII.

Thanks to Thomas H. Mitchell, my father, who served during the Korean conflict.

And thanks to Alex Waltho, PFC, USMC, who is currently serving in Iraq. He is my son's best friend, and will be home in just a few short days on furlough.

In 1963 I attended a memorial service in Verdun France (an American service) at a cemetery where 100s of Americans were buried on foreign soil. I've never forgotten those white crosses and stars of David lined up so uniformly. My Dad was there, but he was fortunate enough to come home to us - those guys weren't.

Vietnam took a good friend of mine, but sent home loved ones that I'm grateful for.

Now Iraq is taking lives daily and all we can do is pray and mourn when one of our own is taken.

Yes, we should remember the "why" of this day. Thanks for the reminder.

Hugs BD

Romeo Chasse - father inlaw - WWII - Died last year at the age of 92

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Thanks John,

I remember them ALL.

Most prominent in my memory is "Uncle Hank" (Francis J Rassiga). A small town boy (Canaan, CT) who was born to fly.

Piloted a B-26 in WW II Europe. He was 24-25, apparently his fellow pilots called him Pops cuz they were all younger. Think about that one! Flew 68 missions in various planes (among them a famous one called "Mild and Bitter). When he was assigned they told him "25 missions and your outa here". By the time he hit 25 there were so many losses of experienced pilots that they said sorry, now it's 40. When he hit 40, they said, sorry (again) we can't spare you. You have to consider that about 14 was considered the longest a pilot would last, then he was DEAD. I cannot comprehend what that thought must have been like.
He won the DFC, Air Medal, Unit Citation, Purple Heart, and a whole bunch more I can't recall. Oh my.

Hank was shot down at least once, said he parachute landed in France, next to the most surprised cow on the continent. Was wounded in that circumstance. His parents, my grandparents, received the following telegram:

"We regret to inform you....that your son was SLIGHTLY injured on such and such a date" Still have that telegram and it is a gut wrenching experience to read it.
What a shitty way to start a telegram with relatively good news. SIGH...

My Ma (his sister) told me stories of Gramps getting up in the middle of the night to sit in the living room and sob silently while worrying about his only son in harms way. His only comfort was her dog "Dinah". Dinah would rest her chin on his knee and just sit and comfort. He had a saying (in Italian) that I wish I had written down
which translates into, "all she lacks is the spoken word". Now, this was a man that I cannot even imgaine crying, anytime. When Ma got married and moved out, he said you can leave, you can get married, BUT, don't think you can take this dog (cocker spaniel).

Gramps was a carpenter/contractor and that dog used to climb ladders to the roof to be with him. He had to carry her down.

But surely, I digress. Sorry, you all suck memories out of me which I apparently have no control over. Uncle Hank was killed in 1949 while ferrying a racing plane for a friend. Those WW II pilots must have been hooked on the adenaline of speed. In his home town, it was front page news. "War hero laid to rest". All attended.

I'm sorry to go on so. But, my freedom is the direct result of men like these. I will NEVER forget. All of yours, all of mine. Memorial Day is the most special in my heart.
I can't help it.

Regards

Jon

First of all, my Dad, who served in WW2, and then called back in for Korea.

My father-in-law (now deceased) who served in WW2.

My brother, who served in Viet Nam. (I was in the Navy, during that conflict)

All three of my brothers-in-law, who each served in the service of their choice (two Navy, and one Army --- How did we let HIM in the family?), during Viet Nam.

Both of my sons, and my daughter-in-law, who served in the Navy.  My youngest son spent time in the sand pit, or at least off the coast of the sand pit.

And of course, my close friend, mentor, and hero, David A. Hill, killed in Viet Nam.

And then EVERY man or woman, who has served at anytime, and anywhere, to help keep us free!

I salute them all, and say from the bottom of my heart:

Thank you!!!

Chuck

Last year before we got to Richmond,  Jim and I went to the "Viet Nam wall"   I did a rubbing that Tanner had asked for 4 of his friends who died in Nam...It was hot and humid and it took a lot to even get there...but it was worth every second of discomfort.

   May every soldier who has died for our freedom...somehow know how greatful we are.

I am riding this week-end to a Patriot Guard ceremony locally,  to honor the fallen where I live in Redding.  

Taps, the folding of the flag, reading the names of the latest dead, 21-gun salute, lowering of the flag etc.

  :'(

John, Jon,

Well said...  Memorial Day has always been a special day for me as well.  It's a time to remember the people who never complained about their responsibilities and gave so much.

Although I spent nearly half my life in the Navy and half of that flying the Navy's finest fighters, I always remember my father...

He was at Perl Harbor when the Japanese struck. He was a boot Ensign on the Battleship Maryland, the only battleship to make it out of the harbor under her own way minutes after the second attack.

In less than 6 months, my father reported aboard the newly commissioned Destroyer Escort USS Huse DE-145 as the Executive Officer, and after a year as XO, he was promoted to Lieutenant.  That same day he received orders to take command of the USS Huse.

The USS Huse was one of the first US Navy ships to be equipped with what was then called ASDIC (Anti-submarine Detection Investigation Committee)... now called SONAR, but this capability was so secret at the time the Navy could not acknowledge the fact that my father and his crew used it to locate and sink five U-Boats.  

It wasn't until 1995 after several years and many letters sent by my father to the Chief of Naval Operations that the crew of the USS Huse received recognition for their accomplishments during WW II from CINCLANT.

V/R, Batch

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Every year my dad dragged us to our parade and the cemetery. It took me a few years to understand but I never forget. He was in in 1942 but had to leave because of illness. That didn't stop him. He never forgot. I never forgot too, my uncle who wound up in Africa, Italy and was on the way to the Pacific when the bomb ended the war. I lost a friend in Vietnam as well.

What they did...ah...it's impossible to adequetly show our gratitude.

Charlie

WE lost a good friend of my daughter last year in Iraq.  He volunteered for the assignment, and had not regrets about going.  Jesse took another man's place on that patrol when he was killed by an IED.

Now I have a son over there.  He volunteered three times before he was deployed, and in talking to him and to others of his battalion I am so proud of the job they are doing.

Monday I will be at our parade to show my respect to our vets who will be marching and/or riding for the elder ones, and to honor those who paid the price.

Two quotations are in my mind right now, "Freedom isn't Free", and "It can't always be someone else's son."

To those of you here who have served in the armed forces, and for those of you who have served in another country's armed forces I thank you and salute you for my freedom.

I like the Statler Brother's song "More Than a Name on a Wall" a lot.  I know how devastated I would be if Rob did not return.

"The tree of Liberty must be watered with the blood of patriots."  Thomas Jefferson  (not a complete quotation, but I'm to tired to remember it in it's entirity.)

Jerry

Far too many for one day's memorial but one huge thank you
and time of rememberance will hopefully be felt by them.     :(