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With Memorial Day Weekend here and me sitting in this (edit bad word)Hospital-- I wanted to take a moment and say a few words. As a Veteran and Marine I am proud to have served--it was the biggest honor of my life. And as a PMC, I am honored to serve and work with our troops on a daily basis. On my last deployment, I had the honor to have went on a little "outing" and work with some of our nations finest warriors--I can tell you right now--they want to be there and they want to get the job done.

I can say from the bottom of my heart--nothing stirs me up like Memorial Day-it brings back a flood of memories--from my Dad flying Old Glory 1 (A special flag reserved just for Memorial Day--she was a beauty) on his 15 ft Flagpole he brought all the way back from his old duty station in Vietnam--(he had a small pad of concrete poured just to plant her) and my dad playing Taps on that old Record Player with a crank handle that evening, while I had the honor of slowly letting Old Glory 1 down as my Father snapped a crisp salute. After the ceremony, me an my Dad folding her up and replacing her with Old Glory 2, the standard flag that flew year around (except on increment weather days ofcourse--this was a very sticky point with my Father--he would bristle when he saw Flags flying at Car Dealerships and Post Offices when it was raining or snowing--"Pure Laziness and Lack of Pride" he would say--and HE WAS RIGHT!

GOD BLESS AMERICA. SUPPORT OUR TROOPS.

Keep your Powder Dry.

Roger that!!!!!!!!



Let us all be mindful of the reason we set aside this special day of the year:

To remember and to give honor to all who have served and given their lives in the many theaters of war, that we might enjoy the freedoms and liberties that we do.


Parents and Grandparents, listen up! Be sure to instill in your children/ grandchildren a sense of pride and loyalty to this country. I can tell you for certain, these teachings are lacking in many households today.


Please remember the fallen...and what they fought for, lest their deaths be in vain.




Flying the Flag in East Texas,


Flint.

As an individual currently serving, I would like to say to all of you that have served previously:


"Thank you very much for all you have done!"

You paved the way for all of us that are in now. We owe you an unbelievable debt of gratitude for your time in the service and I don't think you are given that enough.

So again I say Thank you!

Military service is a humbling experience and I take alot of pride in what I accomplished while I was in. I know all Vets do. I commend all who served for their sacrifice, and for those who gave all, we'll be flying Old Glory on Monday and setting the usual place at the table for the ones who never made it home.

I'd like to give my personal thanks to my Grandfather.

James E. Curry
1917-2002
USN PT Sq. #13 Boat 74
Recipient of 4 Battle Star Liberation Medals and my hero forever.
- you're dearly missed.

And much the same sentiments about my maternal grandfather Brigadier General Elmer F. Wallender, who taught me to respect our national emblem, and was responsible for legislation in NY state pertaining to proper display of the flag, and my father, uncle, and grandfather, collectively "The Colonels Longley" for their influences on my life. (Of course there was always a great deal of speculation in the family about how I ended up enlisted in the Navy with that background, but that's a long story too.)

In previous homes I had a "battle flag" that was gifted to me when I left my ship in the Navy, which I flew on special occasions. That flag became too worn and dirty to fly respectably and was respectfully turned over to the VFW for proper disposal. Since that time I have not found it convenient to purchase a second flag, but always keep a well repaired and maintained one flying at my home.

On thy grave the rain shall fall from the eyes of a mighty nation.
--Thomas William Parsons

Thanks to all of you who have served! May God Bless You and our Country.

Thanks to all who served before me and to all who are serving after me. A special thought goes out to everyone here who has family and friends on duty in harms way.

Church is going to be good tomorrow morning

KBCraig wrote:

Amen

As someone who wanted to serve but could not my THANKS go out to all who have, are, and will serve our country.

Tomorrow I will say a prayer for all that have fallen in the service of there country and for all those that have served and came home and to those that still serve now away from home.
Thank you for your service and I salute you for it.


God Bless you all.