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.

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

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

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

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.

   

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

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