A moment of reflection for veterans past/present worldwide...

[joel]

http://www.badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=12697

http://www.badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=12698


It's better to die on your feet...

than live on your knees.

Tomorrow, I ask regardless of race, religion, creed, country of origin or political belief, you take a moment to reflect upon those throughout history who have stood up against evil... for the good of mankind. Whether a combat soldier or a support troop, millions of good men (and women) have been brutally scarred physically and mentally from the hell we call war. Whether drafted, or compelled by the cause these men and women have gone through true hell on earth - many of which paying the ultimate cost in order for us to sit comfortably behind our computers and play "keyboard commando" and have the freedom of speech, religion, etc.

Our freedoms are taken lightly as "rights" owed to us, however too often it is forgotten the price nations have paid to fight off evils and oppression. Regardless of what nation soldiers have fought for, or against - war is hell for all involved.... especially the holes left in the families these brave soldier leave behind. Regardless of your political beliefs (no one sane WANTS death/war) please take a moment of silence tomorrow to honor those who have experienced the demon that is war. Appreciate their courage, and the price they've paid for what they have fought for on our behalf. Appreciate what they've gone through, which we cannot comprehend, so that WE don't have to.

It's a true shame Memorial Day has turned into a commercialized parade, or a lowly day off... for the dreams, courage, honor, blood, and the ultimate sacrifice made by millions to found this and many other great nations you'd think this would be the most serious, and widely celebrated holiday. For me, this is the most "religious" holiday, as regardless of your spiritual beliefs, evil and violence is an unfortunate reality, and to quell, must be met with equal or greater violence. The sacrifices that have been made to thwart evil and protect men, women, children, and the elderly are immense, real and frequent.

If you have a spare minute or two... spend some time to thank members here who have an "Active Duty" tag under their name (we need to make a war veteran tag) who are currently serving in the military somewhere in the world. Send a note of kindness or a prayer of safety to xChris - one of our honorable members serving in the military who has just (within the last week) been separated from his loving wife, and sent overseas. Watch a few minutes of video here (http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Video_Clips&content_type_id=50344&display_order=2&mini_id=1085) honoring our brave warriors.

Whatever you do tomorrow... just be sure to think kindly of those in your family tree, friends down the street, or complete strangers who have stood up and taken arms against another - regardless of the cause, as many of these tattered souls did not have a choice and by them standing up, secured a safe position for others who in turn did not have to go.

These brave men and women deserve respect, appreciation and above all a continued faith in righteousness and freedom. Don't take their actions lightly - as one day it could be you and I standing up against evil for the safety, security and freedom our loved ones enjoy now.

To all those who have served or are serving in the armed forces I salute you, appreciate you, and honor your sacrifice. May the horrors you have experienced be lessened by the appreciation of the masses. Enjoy tomorrow.


NOTE: Pro/Anti-war comments, political, religious or off topic discussion will not be tolerated on this thread. This post exists for one reason only - for myself and anyone else compelled to express their gratitude to those who are, or have served in the armed forces.

[Prince]

Thanks for the reminder that Memorial Day is not about cook-outs, or just taking off for a day. It is about remembering those who gave their life for us. Over 1 million individuals have died to preserve our freedom and we can never forget the sacrifices made for us.

[Baloosh]

Well put Joel.

To everyone, past and present, who have sacrificed in service to their Country -- Thank You.

[1969Fatboy]

Thank you Joel for paying respect for our troops. Whether you agree with the forces or not. Please respect them because they are fighting for us....yes us as the united states of america! god bless the troops that are in iraq..the troops over seas fighting for freedom. I am definetly proud to be an american right now! thanks joel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Churchill]

God Bless America and the men and women who protect her!!

[stobes21]

To all who have served or are currently serving, thank you.

[buzo71]

Hooooaaaahhhh.... well put....

[Antique Hoosier]

Godspeed to xChris and all those past and present who protect the free men and woman of our precious planet.

Thanks Joel.... Lump in my throat reading your post....

[crankymoose]

well said. Thank You to all those who have served and to those who are actively serving now God Bless.

[Rubens]

Agreed. A respect for them. I am spanish, so I am not familiar with which kind of celebrations you do in United States about memorial day, but in Russia and all the ex-sovietic countries, which I know best since my wife is kazakh, the parades are really spectacular, even the smallest village in the middle of nowhere has one or two veterans who go out to have a walk in their uniforms, and even the smallest kids who would not know so much about history, this day get interested and let the older men explain their stories, so if you have a minimally curious mind, is very enjoyable to listen to the stuff from the voices that really know about it. From my wife's side of the family, I have several relatives who are related to the army, which makes the whole thing closer to me...

[Depilator]

To those serving or deployed; Well Done, God Bless and come home safe. To those who have served, just Thank You isn't enough. And most especially to my fellow Marines, SEMPER FI.

[OldSaw]

Thanks for the reminder, Joel.

[sanuginz]

Remember the most American lives lost was during the civil war. In one battle (Antietam), more American lives were lost than during the entire Vietnam War.

[Suzuki]

To all past and present members of the military (regardless which flag you served/serve under) your contribution and sacrifices to our well being and security are greatly appreciated.

To all those currently deployed overseas, my thoughts are with you and I wish you a safe tour of duty.

[thirdeye]

Thank you for this post Joel, As always well thought and written.

Today is a day to remember. As we walk through this day let us remember all the men and women who have walked before us, with us now and those that will.
Remember when we lay our heads down this evening safe and sound, all that have made this possible.

Remember that what ever you do today is a gift and the card was signed in blood and sweat.

I remember on this day, my father, his father and his father before. We are of 7 generations who have all had a part in signing the card.

I remember Pt. Ronald R. Bowden on this day and everyday who dragged my tattered a-- from that hole of hell of which to many of us know. I remember his face, dirty and wet, his hands shaking but never waivering, doing what we would all do for our brother. Ronald did not come home with the rest of us.
The last hand he grabbed was mine. Thank you sir!

Remember that freedom does not come free but is freely given.

I remember....

[ouch]

Remember the most American lives lost was during the civil war. In one battle (Antietam), more American lives were lost than during the entire Vietnam War.

Not to diminish the horror of that frightful battle, your numbers are simply not true, and not by a little bit.

Antietam was the bloodiest single day in American history, with over 23,000 casualties. The death toll is harder to calculate, as it is difficult to determine how many of the missing, captured, and wounded died as a result of the battle. It is at least 3,600, and probably closer to 7,000. Still, the Vietnam war saw the deaths of 58,169 Americans.

What is astounding about the Civil War casualties is what an extraordinary percentage of the population they represented.

[ouch]

When I was young, I would be embarrassed whenever my dad would talk to my friends- "I was in the war, the big war......."

I was totally unimpressed. Now, years later, I'm dumbstruck by what he must have gone through. No matter what I do, I'll never do anything nearly as impressive. He spent the best years of his life dodging bullets in Okinawa, and was ready to go in the planned invasion of mainland Japan, which fortunately never came to pass.

[BMWRider]

Approximately 1,000,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have died in combat for their nation in our history. I salute all who have paid the ultimate price.

[ouch]

I remember Pt. Ronald R. Bowden on this day and everyday who dragged my tattered a-- from that hole of hell of which to many of us know. I remember his face, dirty and wet, his hands shaking but never waivering, doing what we would all do for our brother. Ronald did not come home with the rest of us.
The last hand he grabbed was mine. Thank you sir!

..

[dreadpirate]

Speaking as a veteran - well done.

[R-James]

Never Forget, never get complacent. Always fight for freedom.

[Haiku]

Thanks for this post Joel.

[Dennard]

I just wanted to add my voice of remembrance of our fallen soldiers and support for those carrying on today. Thank you and God bless you, indeed!

[Mr. Igg]

In the words of my Navy friends, "Bravo Zulu," Joel. Well written.

[ScaredSafety]

The reality of war is one of the greatest tragedies in this world. Thank-you to all those brave men and women who have served, bled, and died in the cause of defending freedom. Your sacrifices will never be forgotten. For those currently serving in our Armed Forces, we stand together with you and give you sincere thanks for your devotion. God bless America!

[johnniegold]

Thanks to all of have given the ultimate sacrifice and the many who have fought in the name of freedom.

Today, I took some time with my kids to talk about what Memorial Day means and how it began.

It began as a day for people to decorate the graves at Arlington Cemetary of the soldiers who fought in the Civil War . The first time it was celebrated, 20,000 headstones were decorated. The first ceremony was attended by future presidents Grant and Garfield.

The Confederate states were hesitant to participate in this holiday as they deemed it a Union holiday.

It was not until the end of WWI where it was really deemed a unified holiday to celebrate those who fought for this country.

Thanks Joel for expressing your thoughts as a reminder of what the purpose of this holiday is all about. :thumbup1:

[MotoMike]

Speaking as a veteran - well done.

+1

[spazchowww]

It's things like this that make me proud to be a member here.

To all our soldiers, active and retired - My thanks for your service!

[tvphotog]

My thoughts and prayers are with all the member of the Armed Forces currently on Active Duty, especially those in war zones around the world. No matter what my personal thoughts and feelings are about the politics of the conflicts we find ourselves engaged in presently, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to those on the front lines who are protecting my rights to think as I do.

God speed.

Best regards,

Jay

[Must Dash]

There are few things in this world that are sadder than the enormous number of lives destroyed by war. Far too often it is the best and the most decent members of society who volunteer to serve their country and who sacrifice their own lives in order to defend others. I've never been a soldier so I'll never know how I would have coped with the fear and the mayhem of battle. But I always look upon those who have with complete admiration.

Cheers

Jeremy

[tim8557]

My wife and I spent the weekend 200 miles North visiting the graves of my Grandfather, Aunt, Uncle, Father0-In-Law and Father. One was a WWI vet; the other 4 in WWII. The number of small town parades was mind boggling and a very emotional day for all.

After my Father passed about 10 years ago, I found a hand written journal entitled the War Journal of 1LT Matthew J. Dowling. He was shot out of several Army Air Corps planes and this was a journal that he kept as a POW in Bulgaria.

God Bless all Vets.

[Shane]

I live not far from Quantico, Crossroads of the United States Marine Corps. Today, I spent a few hours just down the road at the Quantico National Cemetery and realized that every headstone represents a sacrifice, whether the ultimate sacrifice of life during wartime, the sacrifice of the luxuries civilian life affords, or the sacrifice of the spouses of those who served. Seeing that truly makes me proud to be an American, to know that I do what I do freely because of all of those sacrifices. God bless all Veterans, whether they are with us or not.

[voerman]

The wife and I were driving through a small town in upstate NY on Sunday and the Memorial Day parade was gathering on its outskirts. There were people riding in the back of decorated pickup trucks, on floats pulled by farm tractors and even a decorated wagon pulled by a horse. No commercialism in sight.

Some traditions live unchanged.

Lou

[blade08]

Thanks Joel. 'Our' Memorial Day was may 4th.

[Bill Smith]

Our Memorial Day is November 11 both my Grandfathers served in WWI for the British and the other with the Toronto Regiment Queen's Own Rifles for the Dominion of Canada. Both saw heavy action. I have second and third cousins and great uncles who fought with the American, Canadian and ANZAC forces in WWII. Serving your country is a the biggest sacrifce you can make and I give my thanks.

[IGNITERS]

beside you all the way !

[Razorfish]

Couldn't agree more with the sentiment, about freedom being earned, and I also believe we in the west should not take our heritage, history and culture for granted because we have had relative peace for 60 years since the end of the 2nd world war.

Brilliant Post

Respect to the Armed Forces

May God's Light Shine upon Them and Keep them Safe !

[TimmyBoston]

I'd like to thank all veterans past and present. Thank you.

[DirtyDave]

Well said, Joel, bravo!

The sacrifices these men and women made should always be honored and respected. It's all to easy just to regard this as a day off and we have to remember what the day truly represents.

[burnwood]

I dont need just one day a year to remember. God Bless them all.