MEMORIAL DAY is not just a 3 day weekend

[twomillenium]

I would like to take this time to thank those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the liberties and freedoms I enjoy today. This includes those who returned from their services and later passed, due to injuries they received during their service. This includes those who succumbed to physical and mental injuries they suffered during their service. It has been reported that 22 veterans a day commit suicide, they are part of my Memorial Day. I hear the argument that many people take advantage of programs, but we still need to take care of those in need, when they come back from war or "police actions" bruised or injured whether it is physical or mental.

Benjamin Franklin has been credited with saying,
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
Let us remember these Patriots.

[Jusme]

I would like to take this time to thank those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the liberties and freedoms I enjoy today. This includes those who returned from their services and later passed, due to injuries they received during their service. This includes those who succumbed to physical and mental injuries they suffered during their service. It has been reported that 22 veterans a day commit suicide, they are part of my Memorial Day. I hear the argument that many people take advantage of programs, but we still need to take care of those in need, when they come back from war or "police actions" bruised or injured whether it is physical or mental.

Benjamin Franklin has been credited with saying,
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
Let us remember these Patriots.

Amen!!

[puma guy]

Well said, twomillenium!

[parabelum]

Amen, and thank you for the post!

[ScottDLS]

Anyone wonder on the timing of the holiday? I'm led to understand that it began as Decoration Day in 1868 in May because May 9th 1865 is the official end of the American Civil War. Decorations (often American flags) were placed on the graves of fallen soldiers. Southerners followed suit with their own Decoration Days. In the 20th century it was established as a Federal holiday to recognize the war dead of all wars.

It seems there was still some resentment of the Holiday in the South. I recall staying home from elementary school in North Carolina in 1975 (we had moved from Rhode Island), only to find out that it wasn't a NC school holiday.

[G26ster]

Very moving, and very true.

"Just a Common Soldier"

http://www.youtube.com/embed/eEs4ke7cdN ... ailpage%25

[joe817]

For the past 3 years the wife & I have volunteered to plant American Flags at the headstones of those buried at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. This year we took our 8 y.o. grandson to help us. He really didn't understand why we did this...until we arrived at the cemetery. I'm very proud of him. His job was actually planting the flag in the hole I punched in the ground. After he planted each flag he said: "Thank you for your service."

He was quite moved at the entire experience, and went away with a good understanding of the sacrifices our service men and women made so America could be free.

Thank you all who have served in the military. And may God Bless those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice so we may continue to live free.

And God Bless America.

[TexasJohnBoy]

For the past 3 years the wife & I have volunteered to plant American Flags at the headstones of those buried at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. This year we took our 8 y.o. grandson to help us. He really didn't understand why we did this...until we arrived at the cemetery. I'm very proud of him. His job was actually planting the flag in the hole I punched in the ground. After he planted each flag he said: "Thank you for your service."

He was quite moved at the entire experience, and went away with a good understanding of the sacrifices our service men and women made so America could be free.

Thank you all who have served in the military. And may God Bless those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice so we may continue to live free.

And God Bless America.

I'm glad your grandson has this understanding -- thank you for taking him there to show him. In this day and age, I'm very thankful for people like you who put forth this type of effort on today's youth.

Thank you to all those who have served and fallen for our country!

[twomillenium]

For the past 3 years the wife & I have volunteered to plant American Flags at the headstones of those buried at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. This year we took our 8 y.o. grandson to help us. He really didn't understand why we did this...until we arrived at the cemetery. I'm very proud of him. His job was actually planting the flag in the hole I punched in the ground. After he planted each flag he said: "Thank you for your service."

He was quite moved at the entire experience, and went away with a good understanding of the sacrifices our service men and women made so America could be free.

Thank you all who have served in the military. And may God Bless those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice so we may continue to live free.

And God Bless America.

What a wonderful way to instill true patriotism into a young life.

[carlson1]

I would like to take this time to thank those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the liberties and freedoms I enjoy today. This includes those who returned from their services and later passed, due to injuries they received during their service. This includes those who succumbed to physical and mental injuries they suffered during their service. It has been reported that 22 veterans a day commit suicide, they are part of my Memorial Day. I hear the argument that many people take advantage of programs, but we still need to take care of those in need, when they come back from war or "police actions" bruised or injured whether it is physical or mental.

Benjamin Franklin has been credited with saying,
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
Let us remember these Patriots.

I don't think it could be worded any better. God Bless the family members who are left.

[Lynyrd]

Our freedom was bought with their blood.

[twomillenium]

Our freedom was bought with their blood.

Many, many times.

[Take Down Sicko]

Amen to all of the above.