Something to think about while flying today Memorial Day

[phil c]

http://www.lucianne.com/images/lucianne/DailyPhoto/2014-05-26.jpg

[Joe Just]

Today I spent a lot of time remembering my dad, a World War One survivor who got his U.S. citizenship due to his time he spent in France.  I also thought a great deal about his brother who wanted the same prize, but was killed in France on 6/6/18.  My family learned early what Memorial Day was and is about.
Joe

[Shug Emery]

Quite touching that picture.
Remembering my Dad (Navy Master Chief) and father in law  (Army Paratrooper 511th)
My Dad got me into control line. We only crashed then would go for Carolina BBQ and hushpuppies and home-made ice cream.
Shug

[Dennis Leonhardi]

http://www.lucianne.com/images/lucianne/DailyPhoto/2014-05-26.jpg

Right on Phil!

Here's a great video:

The Most Powerful Weapon


I enlisted in ROTC in college, hoping to make a career of the Air Force, but failed the physical and was classified 4F (?) because of a heart defect (and had surgery in 1966).  My grandfather, father, most of my uncles, and my son Brian all served.

Memorial Day is a time for remembering those who gave their very lives, but forgive me: I can't help but think of - and feel grateful to - all who have served, especially in times of war.

Especially so after recently hearing comments made by a member of our greatest generation, a man who served in our Navy through some of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific during World War II.  Okinawa perhaps being the most horrendous, with kamikaze attack after kamikaze attack - and where he watched the ship carrying a pre-war friend get hit by one of those planes.

He grew up here in Southern Minnesota, and to paraphrase quite freely his summation of return to civilian life:

"The guys from big towns might have been welcomed back with ticker tape parades and celebrations, but those of us from small towns just came home and went back to work."

No parades, no celebrations, no fanfare.  Americans in general have wanted to avoid wars over the years, and to simply move forward quickly when one ends.

Which makes it all the easier to simply forget or ignore the sacrifices so many have made for freedom, be they killed in action or survivors.


Dennis

[Paul Smith]

We attended a very nice Memorial Day ceremony at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy,  Michigan.  The MC this year and every year was Cloudbusters member Davis Gloff.   In addition to his modeling, Davis is a singer, speaker and actor.  His most successful movie was Grand Torino in which Clint Eastwood also appeared.

Our country has come a long way since the communist anti-American flag burning, campus vandalism, and actual attacks against those who answered our country's call to arms.  I have forgiven the foreign enemies who fought for their countries and against us. The enemy within can never be forgiven.

[55chevr]

Just one thought.  How does Jane Fonda celebrate Memorial Day?

[Will Hinton]

Paul, you said it well.

[John Stiles]

I have forgiven the foreign enemies who fought for their countries and against us. The enemy within can never be forgiven.

Yeah.......I met with a North Vietnamese Soldier who immigrated here.....we made our peace and moved on. I don't know how to give up the pain of being shunned for my service in Nam. It always comes back around to haunt me...how they treated us for years after coming home. How people said it was a war over oil.....I lived among the south Vietnamese, I know it wasn't for oil, but that they were being over taxed and repressed by the North. I lost many of my friends in Nam, including many young ARVN troops that I fought along side. I will never stop having the pain in my heart when I'm reminded.

[Bill Morell]

Just one thought.  How does Jane Fonda celebrate Memorial Day?

She has no problem celebrating it cuz she is a "Woman of the century". Makes sense when you think about who nominated her. For me never forgive, never forget!

[55chevr]

When I got out of the army, I swore I would never wait on another line again.  Except the line formed up to @#$% on Jane Fonda's grave. 

[John Craig]

Thank you! Phil for posting this.  I am sorry it took me so long to open & read it.  We should all pause remember & think about the sacrifices of all our Vets.